Public Management & Delivery - POL00011M

«Back to module search

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

This module provides an opportunity for participants of a practical orientation to enhance their personal growth by stimulating new ideas and developing new skills in public policy, administration and management. The module explores current developments in applied policy analysis and public management; considers how policy problems and programmes are managed in the public sector; evaluates the actions and processes that shape the management of change; and, assesses how policies are managed, implemented, monitored and evaluated.

The module brings together three key inter-related themes: public management theory and practice; the tools of government; and, the role of knowledge in public policy-making. The 'public management theory and practice' theme examines the development of public management reform from an international perspective, the professional and ethical implications of reform, and the development of models of 'joined-up government'. The tools of government and role of knowledge themes explore policy instruments and techniques utilised at the micro-level stages of the policy process, and methods of programme measurement, analysis and evaluation.

Module learning outcomes

By completing this module, students will have

• an understanding of the complex issues surrounding the formation, implementation and evaluation of public policy;
• a grasp of the political, institutional and organisational contexts which shape the policy making process;
• a familiarity with the ways in which the management and operation of the public sector has been transformed since the early 1980s;
• team work and research skills which will benefit data collection and analysis for the dissertation component of the degree; and,
• inter-professional perspectives and intellectual and professional self-awareness.

This module will also equip students with a range of key transferable skills:

• The ability to consider a problem from a variety of perspectives.
• The ability to work independently, both individually and in smaller groups
• The ability to identify problems and develop solutions

Module content

1. Modern States and the Problem of Delivery

2. The New Public Management

3. Governance and the Pluralisation of the Policy Process

4. Policy Coordination and Integration

5. Regulation

6. New Policy Instruments

7. Government in the Digital Era

8. Policy Failure and Success

9. Governance and State Capacity in Times of Crisis

10. Conclusion

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Hood, C. (1998) The Art of the State: Culture, Rhetoric and Public Management. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Lane, J.E. (2000) New Public Management. London: Routledge

McLaughlin K et al (eds) (2002) New Public Management: Current Trends and Future Prospects. London: Routledge

Pollitt, C. and Bouckaert, G. (2004) Public Management Reform: A Comparative Analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press