Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BUSI3031: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI3031: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enable students to appreciate the social and political environment of management in the public sector, the characteristics of management in this context and to understand how the environment affects the practice of public sector management.

Content

  • The changing public services internationally and in UK, markets and government, principles of government organisation, coordination and the central state, accountability, public participation, partnership and joined-up government, multi-level government, local government, evaluation and evidence-based policy, personnel and performance management in the public sector, leadership in the public sector, social enterprise and voluntary sector and reform of European Commission.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students are expected:
  • to be familiar with the literature of public administration, both philosophical and empirical.
  • to have developed a deep and critical understanding of the component parts of the module.
  • to have further developed their ability to study independently.
  • to have further developed their writing and analytical skills.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module you should be able to:
  • critically evaluate theories and ideas current in public administration and management
  • apply theory to practice
  • think and work independently, including the discriminate use of judgement in assessing evidence and arguments, and assess the relevance and validity of others' views
  • write a well-supported argument
Key Skills:
  • Written communication - present and critically analyse data
  • Problem solving
  • Initiative - work without supervision
  • Computer literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Review, plan and evaluate data

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

  • Teaching is by lectures and seminars.Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars, and private study. Formative assessment is by means of an essay. Summative assessment is by means of a written examination plus one written assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 21 1 Per Week 1 Hour 21
Seminars 8 4 in Term 1, 4 in Term 2 1 Hour 8
Preparation and Reading 171
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
one written examination 2 hours 100%
Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
one written assignment 2500 words max 100%

Formative Assessment:

1500 word essay


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University