The course takes a comparative and thematic approach to issues in public sector management, and encourages students to consider their relevant to their own countries and workplaces. It includes visiting lectues by experiencec practioners among Crawford's adjunct faculty, and leading edge researchers from ANU's research School of Social Sciences.

After successfully completing this course you will be able to clearly and confidently:

1. understand the key concepts, ideas, theories and terminology associated with public sector management;

2. identify contemporary management issues, dilemmas and problems in both specific national contexts and across the world;

3. identify practical reforms and apply complex theories to actual scenarios;

4. conduct independent research after careful assessment of the academic worth of sources;

5. analyse resources with a critical awareness of bias and conflicting perspectives;

6. contribute to academic debate and discussion with peers;

7. question and comment on peers' work;

8. use information technology to work efficiently and to locate academic resources.

Class Activities involve active participation in small group discussion with verbal contributions throughout the semester in tutorials (10%), and in online activities with written contributions in laboratories and during non-contact hours (20%).

Students will be assessed based on: how successfully they integrate material from the readings in non-familiar situations; how successfully they support, develop and refine their opinions with academic evidence; and how they consider and respond to the contributions of others. The Case Study should be written in the form of a mini-essay (1,000 words), which outlines a contemporary public sector management issue, dilemma or problem. Students will be assessed based on: their selection of an appropriate case; the clear identification of the most relevant management issues; the use of academically appropriate references from credible sources; and the clarity of expression.

The Reform Proposal should be written in the form of a major essay (2,500 words), with the aim of persuading a government that it needs to implement a particular reform and that is it achievable. Students will be assessed based on: the selection of appropriate reforms; how they respond to the questions and comments of their peers; the level of critical analysis; the structure; the use of academically appropriate references from credible sources; and the clarity of expression. Detailed criteria and ‘How to' sheets will be distributed in the labs/tutorials.

10 X I hour lectures and 10 X 2 hour tutorials plus approximately 10 -15 days of work throughout the semester to write the case study and reform proposal-

Students are assumed to have several years experience working in the public sector of their home country.

A reader of photocopied articles is available from Student services in Crawford School.

Ability to access WebCT, post assignments in WebCT and turnitin.

Co-Teaching:

The lectures are also used by students in POGO8032 

Delivery Mode:

On Campus over 10 weeks: I hour a week lecture and two hours tutorial.