Postgraduate Module Descriptor


POLM002M: Management and Governance:Comparing Public Administration around the World (MPA only)

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

The module aims to explore comparative administrative theories, practice and processes and the importance of the context in which they operate. It also aims to enhance a critical awareness of the approaches of different political regimes to public administration and public sector management and to develop a Masters level practical and theoretical understanding of the impact of globalisation and de-territorialization on national and international governance. The module examines some of the main issues and problems confronting public sector managers such as modernization, accountability in a complex age, ethical action, oversight, audit and private-public partnerships

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Critically examine the importance of the temporal, geographical, social and economic context of public administration and demonstrate this by analysing real world examples using complex theoretical frameworks;
2. Identify examples of best practice and evaluate their transferability to other jurisdictions;
3. Explain the dynamics towards public administrative reform with reference to a range of theoretical models
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Appraise and critically evaluate government reports and public policy;
5. Synthesise and comment critically on a corpus of academic literature;
6. Link public administration concepts and theories to real world examples;
Personal and Key Skills7. Undertake independent/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment;
8. Work as a participant or leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives; and
9. Reflect on the process of learning and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Participation in seminarsDaily1-9Verbal feedback

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
80020

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Web-Based Assessment (based on set text or texts)20The assessment to be a review of text or article made available in advance of the module 1000 words1, 3 5Written feedback
Reflective Learning log20800 words1-9Written feedback
Coursework Essay602,500 words1-8One week marking turnaround with written feedback
0
0
0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Web-Based Assessment (based on set text or texts)Web-Based Assessment (based on set text or texts)1,3,5Next reassessment period
Reflective Learning logReflective Learning log1-9Next reassessment period
Coursework EssayCoursework Essay1-8Next reassessment period

Re-assessment notes