166-423 Organisations and Management

Formerly available as 166-896. Students who have completed 166-896 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is a core (compulsory) subject in the fourth year of the Bachelor of Public Policy and Management, in the first year of the Master of Public Policy and Management and in the first year of the Master of Social Policy.

Admission to the Bachelor of Public Policy and Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy and Management or postgraduate coursework programs in public policy and management or social policy.

This subject examines the modern public sector management function through a range of practical and theoretical perspectives. Focusing on placing public sector management into surrounding historical and quasi-ideological debates, the subject explores the nature of public sector management, its capabilities and boundaries, technologies of management and their associated functional applications, and the limitations of existing paradigms, policy tractability, and political will to deliver 'public value' (if there can be such a thing). Focused on critical case analysis, the subject requires a good understanding of political and public policy processes and contexts at the local, state, federal levels of Australia, and a willingness to participate in group discussion, activities and study. Participants will leave the subject with a broad introduction to public sector management as well as skills and techniques for investigating management issues.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

An essay of 3000 words 60% (due mid-semester) and a 2-hour exam 40% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.