| Unit name | Public Management and Organisations |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM1074 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Janenova |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will examine a selection of topics related to the public management and transformation of public sector organisations. These will include: the implications of the fragmentation of the state for efficiency and accountability; the rise of contracting, audit and inspection; the impact of new public management; technological change and service delivery; the scope for leadership and strategic management in a political environment. You will learn and share international experiences of public management reform.
How does this unit fit into the programme of study
This unit is one of several optional units you can choose to take in the second term of study. This unit provides an opportunity for students to understand public management theory and practice, what challenges are facing public leaders and public managers as well as international practices of public management reforms.
An overview of content
This unit will examine issues related to the restructuring of public sector organisations, these will include: the implications of the fragmentation of the state for efficiency and accountability; the rise of contracting, audit and inspection; the impact of new public management; technological change and service delivery; the scope for leadership and strategic management in a political environment. The unit will relate change in the organisation of the public sector to changing thinking about organising more generally. You will consider the way that key concepts translate to the public sector using case studies and learning materials based on global and international practices of public management reforms.
How will students be different as a result of the unit:
You will improve your knowledge and understanding on public management reforms in different international contexts and various challenges facing public leaders in the 21st century. You will develop your ability to critically analyse public management issues through the examination of evidence of international practice and the impact of public management reforms on the quality of public service delivery.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through face-to-face weekly lectures and seminars. Student learning is supported via the online learning platform, Blackboard, where lecture materials and tasks are listed weekly. Each week you will be asked to undertake a specific task or reading to discuss in the seminar session. There is also an emphasis on self-directed study and reading.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported in the summative assessment by a formative element consisting of a group presentation.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay (3000 words maximum, 100%).
The assessment addresses all learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment, or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM1074).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
