BPA/221 - Critical Thinking and Decision Making in the Public Sector

Course Description

This course provides students opportunities for analysis, synthesis, prescription, and application of critical thinking and decision making within the organization. Emphasis is placed on preparing managers who can deal clearly, rationally, and creatively with a diverse workforce in a dynamic workplace. This course equips students with concrete skills in critical thinking and decision making that will allow them to identify and solve organizational problems, as well as provide strategic direction.

This undergraduate course is 5 weeks.

This course has a prerequisite. Please see details in the Prerequisite section below.

PLEASE NOTE:
Attendance and participation are mandatory in all university courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

Course Objectives

Week 1

• Describe the process of framing and discuss how framing aids in the decision-making process.
• Discuss situations when framing would be appropriate in the decision-making process.
• Identify challenges with forming group decisions in the public sector.

Week 2

• Describe diversity management.
• Discuss the differences between diversity management and equal opportunity.
• Identify the components of an effective diversity management policy.
• Analyze the effects of categorizing individuals into demographic categories.

Week 3

• Describe the approaches used to understand and manage diversity in the public sector.
• Discuss the role of leadership in promoting diversity management in the public sector.
• Discuss the recruitment strategies used in building diversity in the public sector.

Week 4

• Describe the components of strategic thinking.
• Discuss the four types of strategic leadership.
• Describe the foundation of creating a good leadership base.
• Describe the four strategic leaders and their strategy for succeeding.

Week 5

• Discuss the process of creating a strategy.
• Discuss the methods for implementing change for success.
• Describe the methods for identifying the path for change.

Notes

A prerequisite is required for this course. The purpose of a prerequisite is to ensure students have the knowledge and/or skills needed to be successful in the course. Students are required to provide proof of prerequisite during the enrollment/registration process. To meet to a course prerequisite requirement, a student must have successfully completed the prerequisite course at University of Phoenix, provide proof via transcript of completing a comparable course (at least 75% match) or higher level course with at least a grade of C at another institution or have a University of Phoenix approved Student Appeal on file with the University.

This course requires the prerequisite below. Click on the prerequisite course to review the course topics and objectives.

Disclaimers

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with an Enrollment Representative.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.