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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Public Management |
| Unit code |
EFIM20019 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Wilson |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
The unit aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the management, organisation and delivery of public services, paying particular attention to: the extent to which management in the public sector is similar or different to other sectors; the extent to which management tools and techniques developed for business can be used in managing public services; and the impact of recent reforms in the organisation and delivery of public services. The unit addresses the key features of public management and performance; governance and accountability; leadership and organisational culture. It will consider the origins of key concepts and theoretical perspectives, and the extent to which they translate to the public sector in the context of the economic, political and managerial reform agendas since the 1980s.
The unit aims to:
- introduce students to theories, concepts and practical applications of public management;
- develop students’ learning skills, particularly their ability to analyse and critically appraise public management theories and ideas; and
- enable students to recognise different theories of public management and appreciate the implications that each has had in different contexts.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the unit students will:
- Have knowledge and understanding of the theories and practice of public management
- Be able to critically analyse a range of theories in different contexts - Understand the inter-relationships between public management and public service reform - Be able to analyse case studies and case examples to illuminate key issues in the theory and practice of public management
Teaching Information
The unit will be taught through lectures and classes.
Lectures (approximately 2/3of contact hours) will have the principal purpose of introducing and explaining the core material. They will expose students to critical evaluation of public management theories and concepts, and the tools and models employed. Lectures will include an element of discussion and debate in order to enhance understanding.
A variety of teaching methods will be employed in the classes, including: discussions based on readings and student experiences; case study work involving analysis, and oral presentations.
Student input:
200 hours notional student input as follows:
- Contact hours: 30 (10 x 2-hour lectures, 10 x 1 hour classes)
- Preparation for classes: 30 hours
- Assessment and preparation for formative and summative assessments: 60 hours
- Independent learning: 80 hours
Assessment Information
A mock exam: one questionanswered in one hour under exam conditions, that will test students' knowledge and understanding of the theories and practice of public management
3 hour unseen exam in which the three essay questions will test: students' understanding of the theories and practice of public management; their ability to critically analyse a range of theories in different contexts; and their understanding of the inter-relationships between public management and public service reform using case studies and practical examples where appropriate.
Reading and References
Key text-books:
- Bovaird, T and Loffler, E (2014) Public management and governance, 3rd edition, London: Routledge
- Eliassen, K and Sitter, N (2008) Understanding public management, London: Sage
- Flynn, N. (2007) Public sector management. London: Sage 5th edition
- O’Toole Jr, L and Meier, K (2011) Public management: organizations, governance and performance, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Pollitt, C and Bouckaert, G (2011) Public management reform: a comparative analysis, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press
