RGU: RGU Module: Contemporary Public Services (BSM591)

Module Title
Contemporary Public Services

Keywords
Public Services, Public Management, Public Sector Reform

Reference

BSM591

SCQF Level

SCQF 11

SCQF Points

ECTS Points

7.5

Created

May 2002

Approved

November 2006

Amended

Revision No.

Prerequisites for Module

None.

Corequisite Modules

None.

Precluded Modules

None.

Aims of Module

The aims of this module are to (1) examine the restructuring of the public services, and assess their impact upon providers and users and (2) to evaluate the impact of public sector reforms upon the delivery and management of contemporary public services.

Learning Outcomes for Module

On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:

1.	Critically analyse the dimensions of change in the new public services and evaluate the context in which they occured.
2.	Critically analyse and evaluate the new management climate and responses there to in the public services
3.	Evaluate the effectiveness of public service reforms and restructuring
4.	Critically assess the impact of change upon the provision of public services

Indicative Module Content

'policy' and 'management' in the public sector economy, efficiency and effectiveness competition and markets, decentralisation, accountability and participation collaboration and partnership. Best Value. Performance Measurement.

Indicative Student Workload

Contact Hours	Full Time
Lectures/seminars/workshops	36
Assessment	10
Directed Study
Directed Study	64
Private Study
Private Study	40

Mode of Delivery

This is a lecture based course supplemented with interactive group work, tutorials/workshops and directed study.

Assessment Plan

	Learning Outcomes Assessed
Coursework	1,2,3,4

The coursework will consist of a written report of roughly 3000-4000 words.

Indicative Bibliography

1.	HUGHES, O., 2012. Public Management and Administration: An Introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
2.	Flynn, N. (2002) Public Sector Management,Harlow; Pearson Education.
3.	Pollitt, C. (2003) The Essential Public Manager, Buckingham: OU Press.
4.	Massey, A. and Pyper, R (2005) Public Management and Modernisation in Britain, London: Palgrave.