Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module BUSI45A15: ISSUES IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (FT)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI45A15: ISSUES IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (FT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2021/22
Tied to N1K017
Tied to N1KC17

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • 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 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

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 28
Preparation and Reading 122
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 4,000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive feedback on their contributions to class and group discussions.


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