Unit name | Digital Public Services |
---|---|
Unit code | SPOLM0062 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Lariviere |
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 |
Digital technology has become increasingly ubiquitous. From the late twentieth century, digital technology has been championed to address some of the challenges facing public services and systems locally, nationally and globally. This unit explores critically the role of digital technology and artificial intelligence within public services. The unit introduces students to ongoing debates, key theories and the challenges and opportunities for digital transformation of public services along with an understanding of the possibilities– both beneficial and disruptive – for digital technology within public services through policy and its implementation and evaluation within practice in national and international contexts.
Aims:
On completion of this unit, a student should be able to:
This unit will be delivered by a mixture of interactive lectures (10 hours) and seminars/classes (10 hours). The seminars will be structured around small group exercises, guided by readings and other materials (e.g., short videos).
Part 1: Speculative fiction story/commentary and analysis about the role of technology in near or distant future visions for public services e.g. health, care, housing services (1000 words) (30%)
This assessment will cover ILOs 1-2
Part 2: Essay (3000 words) (70%)
This assessment will cover ILOs 3-4
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. SPOLM0062).
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 Faculty 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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.