Advanced Public Management

Subject 166-527 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 25.00
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

March, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: March 20, 21, April 3, May 15. This subject will be taught as an intensive program from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Total Time Commitment: Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Public Policy and Management (100 point program), or the Master of Policy Studies (ASST).
Corequisites: This is a compulsory subject in the Master of Public Policy and Management (100 point Program)
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Prof Brian Galligan

Contact

To be advised
Subject Overview: This subject explores the strategies and instruments that public managers use to implement public policy. We will review several key aspects of the management role including: how public managers support the development and implantation of good public policy, how the management role fits within the framework of government and governance in different systems, how questions of responsibility, accountability and performance are defined in the public sector as compared to private enterprise. We will examine the systemic and environmental imperatives which frame the manager's experience, including shifts from traditional notions of bureaucracy to contemporary approaches of contracting, performance management and partnerships. To understand the manager's perspective we will use a case study method supported by theoretical and evidence-based texts from Australia and elsewhere. The subject will review the public sector reform movements that started in the 1980s and are still continuing. This will include discussion of the movement from Weberian notions of bureaucratic action to recent European and Australian research on Network Governance. The theoretical themes of the program will focus attention upon rational choice, Third Way and neo-institutionalist accounts. This will also point to the important dimensions of the manager's role such as the authorizing environment in which managers operate, the tools and constraints available in different environments and the value system driving public organizations in the contemporary era. Emphasis will be placed upon developing strong analytical and practical management skills, a detailed understanding of accountability issues, and an ability to strategize from a management perspective. The subject will require students to develop and present a case study of a public management challenge through research on a current case, together with an analytical treatment of options and dilemmas.
Objectives:
  • have a thorough knowledge of contemporary theories and methods of public sector management;
  • have skills in evaluating current policy trends, programs and management practices;
  • be familiar with issues of privatisation and contracting out, the monitoring of contracts and broader accountability issues.
Assessment: Written work, including an integration paper completed at the end of the Intensive, to a total of not more than 10,000 words.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of policy analysis skills to empirical problems;
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.
Notes:

Formerly available as 166-527. Students who have completed 166-527 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This is a compulsory/core subject in the Master of Public Policy and Management (100-point program) and the Master of Policy Studies (ASST).

Related Course(s): Master of Arts (Policy Studies)(Advanced Seminars & Shorter Thesis)
Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Master of Youth Health and Education Management

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