Prospectus

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Public Organisation and Policy Theory

Course
2012-2013

Public Organisation and Policy Theory

Description

This preparatory master course provides basic knowledge on public organizational theory and policy theory. The course is divided into three parts: the first three weeks are used to address public organization theory, especially as it applies to the problems and opportunities of public management. The next three weeks will be used to deal with theories of public policy: especially on the determinants and on the social and institutional context of policy-making. The last three weeks focus on the problem of policy implementation in street-level bureaucracies. The literature in this course examines main concepts associated with public policy and organizational theory, and identifies and discusses major authors and scholarly works associated with this field.

Course objectives

In the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

  • knowledge about the main concepts, theories and authors in the field of public organisations and public policy

  • appreciation of the variety of different analytical angles how public organisations and policy may be examined

  • a skill to apply a theoretical approach on analyzing a real life situation / case study

  • writing an effective (short) academic paper

Timetable

This course starts in the 3rd week of September. Please contact coordinator before!

Mode of instruction

This is an E-module taught via Blackboard, based on guided readings and including some (online) group work. No meetings are planned for the course.

Assessment method

Two mid-term exams and one final paper. Course material is also obligatory for the mid-term exams and final paper as far as it is set out in sheets, handouts and other information media.

Reading list/Literature

  • Howlett, M., Ramesh, M., Perl, A. (2009). Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems, 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (The earlier 2nd edition can also be used.)

  • Lipsky, M. (1980). Street-Level Bureaucracy: The Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Service. New York: Russel Sage Foundation.

  • Denhardt, R.B. (2010) Theories of Public Organization (6th edition, international). Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth / Cengage, Inc. The earlier editions (5th or 4th edition) can be used also.

Additional readings in the form of journal articles will be announced on the Blackboard site.

Blackboard

The course runs on the Blackboard site. The site is ready for use one week before the beginning of the course.

Registration

Via USIS

Contact information

Maarja Beerkens
m.beerkens@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Tel: 071 527 3751