Postgraduate Module Descriptor


POLM880DA: Interdisciplinarity in the Public Sphere

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics to support apprentices:

  • Gain a detailed and rich contextual understanding of inter-disciplinarity and complexity in the public sphere;
  • Gain an appreciation for the application of systems thinking and approaches to complex, multi-partner public challenges;
  • Develop an understanding of the historical and contemporary penetration of systems thinking and methodologies in the public sector and services;
  • Begin a process of learning about the fundamental laws of systems theory;
  • Gain a detailed working understanding of the soft-system methodology based on the seven-step method;
  • Start to develop an understanding of how and where this method might be applied in the host organisation.

 

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
22.567.5

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities22.5Masterclasses: The masterclasses are where apprentices are given day length teaching and learning, contextualised through practical group exercises.
Guided Independent Study67.5Weekly study sessions A day per week spent on guided, independent, group and informational sessions to enhance, contextualise, and practice the learnings from masterclasses.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).