This is a core course for students registered in the Public Sector Management Option and a pre-requisite for all other courses in Public Sector Management.

General Objectives

This course aims to develop students’ understanding of the basic concept of management, related values and value-conflicts, within the context of the public sector and provides opportunities for demonstrating their practical application. Emphasis is placed on understanding the historical evolution of the public bureaucracy and public management systems in the Commonwealth Caribbean, on the political, economic and social contexts in which contemporary public management takes place and on the concept of government as a series of interactions among and between various members of the polity.

Specific Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to

• Distinguish and critically discuss the goals of government in democratic society, the evolution of public bureaucracy, public management and their important features
• Identify the values associated with the public bureaucracy and public management systems as well as the value-conflicts that contemporary public managers face
• Interpret and critically discuss the political, social and economic contexts in which contemporary public management takes place
• Evaluate the relationship between the environment of Caribbean public management systems and the practice of public management and specify the impact of the environmental forces on contemporary public sector management.
• Provide a rationale for the pervasiveness of the Westminster-Whitehall model and assess the merits of its main features within the Commonwealth Caribbean context
• Explain the structure of government and the roles of key state, non-state and international agencies, as well as the existing linkages and tensions between these entities.
• Research and analyze select public sector management issues in writing and in discussion. This will include assessing the relevance of a core concept to an aspect of work for which you have responsibility and outlining ways of improving this area of your work.

Requirements

Two lectures are held each week. Students are required to select ONE hour during which they must attend and participate in tutorials.

Students are required to attend ALL tutorials.

Class/ Tutorial Format

This course is designed to help students develop a critical approach to Public Sector Management. Students will engage in activity that encourages the application of critical thinking skills and theoretical argument in analyzing public sector management issues. The emphasis is on participation. Discussion is expected and encouraged.

Grades: Your grades will be based on the following

Examinations

Mid-Semester Examination 20%

Final Examination 60%

Presentations and participation in tutorial 10%

*Tutorial Essay (Hand-in) 10%

* Tutorial Essay: You are expected to hand in your tutorial essay immediately after it has been presented at the tutorial. The standard length of the tutorial essay should not exceed eight (8) quarto-typed pages. [Use size 12 font] No exception will be allowed.

Students’ written work will be assessed in terms of skills of critical thinking, grasp of the literature and the ability to communicate-write in informal and persuasive ways.

PLAGIARISM : When you use materials derived from another person’s intellectual efforts you need to give the author credit. Guidelines are attached concerning the use of materials derived from the works of others. The University will not tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Consult the University’s Examination Regulation for the First Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates 2002/ 3, p31)

IMPORTANT DATES:

Mid-Semester Examination in November [ on a date to be announced]

Examination Period begins December 6 th