NACLAA Course Descriptions
The following courses are available in the NACLAA program:
Citizen Engagement and Consultation examines approaches to promoting effective and democratic public engagement. The course provides a brief overview of key theoretical concepts, and focuses on practical tools which support and guide the interaction between councils, administration, the media, the public, NGOs and social movements, and other governmental bodies. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Financial Management introduces the financial, organizational and political implications of public financial management practices. A major focus of this course is the budget process and understanding the elements of a budget in a public sector context. The course examines the costs of service delivery, the elements of alternative service delivery, and how to monitor service delivery performance. And finally, it introduces some techniques used for long-term decision-making. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Human Resource Management looks at challenges facing local governments in attracting, developing and retaining the personnel needed to serve citizens. The course focuses on primary human resource functions and personnel relationships, and provides practical insight into how to be an employer of choice. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Information Access and Privacy Protection Foundations will provide an introduction to the history, theories, and key concepts relevant for the appropriate administration of access and privacy legislation. The course examines access and privacy concepts and principles through the examination of provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts.
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Local Government will allow students to compare and contrast the features of the local government systems across Canada. It begins by placing local governments within Canada's federal system and then traces the foundations of the systems and their evolution through various reforms and restructuring. Internal governing structures are examined and some of the key responsibilities of local governments are highlighted. The course concludes with an assessment of future challenges and prospects. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Local Government Accounting provides basic knowledge of local government accounting practices, budget preparation and the importance of records for accounting and control, and auditing of public records. It also distinguishes between local government accounting practices and those of general accounting. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Local Government Finance provides a basic understanding of public and local government finance. The course discusses the changing role and size of government, the budget process, issues relating to alternative service delivery, sources of revenue for local governments, fiscal relations among governments in Canada, and strategic financial thinking. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Municipal Law I provides an introduction to the law affecting municipalities. The source and extent of municipal authority are examined, as well as the limits placed on municipal powers by the Constitution and the common law. Topics addressed include the election and operation of council; drafting, enacting and enforcing bylaws; reasons for bylaw invalidity, municipal contracts and tendering, and municipal liability. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Municipal Law II will expand on some of the topics introduced in Municipal Law I and deepen students' understanding of legal concepts, systems and practices associated with local authority administration. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Organizational Behaviour and Leadership examines theories of individual behaviour and leadership within local government organizations. In particular, the course focuses on management in the public sector, theories of leadership, Council/staff roles and relationships, the structures and culture of local government organizations, notions of motivation in the public sector, the empowerment of staff, and organizational change. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Organizational Design and Management addresses systems management and the structure and design of organizations, with an emphasis on public sector organizations. Key concepts include management and managing (management fundamentals, culture, ethics, environment, decision- making, conflict), planning (strategic management, systems thinking), organizing (theory, structure, design, technologies and change) and controlling (performance management, measurement and effectiveness). Course syllabus (PDF).
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Policy Planning and Program Evaluation covers both the central role of planning in municipal decision-making, as well as the implementation of programs and evaluations of both policies and programs. Program evaluation is of increasing importance because a municipality must assess existing programs before it can reorient them to serve new policies, long-term plans or alternative objectives. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Property Taxation and Assessment provides local government administrators with an understanding of the processes of assessment and property taxation. It examines the role and characteristics of the property tax, the elements of assessment techniques, tax rate setting, property tax relief and reform, and the economic effects of property taxes. Course syllabus (PDF).
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Public Administration Professionalism provides an introduction to administrative ethics, "norms of behaviour" considerations relating to principal actors involved in local governance, and exploration of self-knowledge required for administrative practice in local administration.
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Sustainable Communities provides students with a brief introduction to land use planning theory, law and processes. The course will focus on such concepts as planning communities around environmental sustainability and social equity. Course syllabus (PDF).
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