Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Postgraduate Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BUSI46415: ISSUES IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (PT/EXECUTIVE)

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI46415: ISSUES IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (PT/EXECUTIVE)

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 4 15 Available in 2009/2010 Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an advanced understanding of the fundamental issues underlying public management and introduce them to contemporary ideas, debates and developments both in the UK and internationally.

Content

  • Introduction to Public Policy and Management.
  • Multi-Level Governance and Issues of;
  • Territorial Government and Administration;
  • Strategy in the Public Sector;
  • Accountability;
  • Partnerships and Neighbourhood Renewal;
  • Changing Public Management: Trends and Skills;
  • Performance Management and Evidence-Based Policy;
  • Strategies for Improving Public Sector Service Delivery.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have:
  • an advanced level of understanding of the main forces for change in the environment of government and the public services and the strategic challenges involved;
  • a critical appreciation of the complex issues underlying the practice of public management.
Subject-specific Skills
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will have:
  • developed their abilities to engage in informed and critical debate and discussion of current political issues relevant to public management.
Key Skills
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading. The written assignment, in the form of two issue papers, will test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Workshops (a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 28 Yes
Preparation and Reading 122
Total 150

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written assignment, in the form of two 'issue papers' 100% Written assignment 2,000 words maximum 50%
Written assignment 2,000 words maximum 50%

Formative Assessment

None.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.