Teaching Law in Public Affairs Education: Synthesizing Political Theory, Decision Making, and Responsibility

Consideration of the law and the legal process is essential for students of public affairs who are preparing for responsibilities as leaders, managers, and policy makers. In their foundational courses, public affairs students are likely to encounter political theories about the constitutional law framework on which administrative authority is based. They may also have an option to study discrete aspects of the law deemed especially relevant to public administration, such as agency rulemaking or basic federal employment law. This article argues that public affairs students should have the opportunity to study law in a course designed to integrate consideration of legal foundations, a range of basic law subjects that public officials commonly encounter, and practical concerns such as complying with public ethics laws, managing litigation, and hiring lawyers. With the benefit of such an integrated approach, students will more clearly see the interrelationship of policy and law, further develop analytical and decision-making skills, and better understand the importance of personal responsibility for promoting the rule of law from which their authority will be derived.