Module Code - Title:

PA6011 - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

Year Last Offered:

2026/7

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

3

Lab

0

Tutorial

0

Other

0

Private

12

Credits

9

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

The module is being created for inclusion in a revised MPA programme (full time, part time and Graduate Diploma). The module will serve as an advanced introduction to Public Administration. It will identify key ideas and theoretical perspectives in its academic study and relate them to debates and issues in the daily work of public administrators, often working within complex networks with other public, non-profit and private sector organisations.

Syllabus:

Introduction: public administration, public management, and governance The role of Government - context, instruments, size Ideas & practice - bureaucracy and management; politics and administration Policy making process Public management reform Street level bureaucrats & service delivery Digital governance Public leadership Accountability Regulation, contracting and public ownership Strategic management in the public sector

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Articulate disciplinary knowledge about Public Administration Demonstrate understanding of the key theoretical debates and concepts relating to the nature and practice of public administration Display skills for analysing the way government works

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Acknowledge the impact of values and norms in the role of public administration and delivery of public services Display awareness of the relevance of knowledge of ideas and concepts in public administration to practice

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Lectures will be provided to introduce the theoretical debates and learning materials. Students will engage in presentations and discussions to encourage critical reflection of the impact of theory on practice. The topics contained in the syllabus are relevant to the work of the public service practitioner and resources will be updated to reflect current thinking on these themes. Individual, group work and, where appropriate, some activities will be carried out online.

Prime Texts:

Hughes, Owen (2018) Public Management and Administration - An Introduction (fifth edition) , Palgrave Macmillan

Bovaird, Tony & Loffler, Elke (2016) Public Management and Governance , Routledge

Pollitt, Christopher (2016) Advanced Introduction to Public Management and Administration , Edward Elgar

Other Relevant Texts:

Peters, Guy.B. & Pierre, Jon (2012) Handbook of Public Administration (second edition) , Sage

MacCarthaigh, Muiris (2017) Public Sector Reform in Ireland: Countering Crisis , Palgrave Macmillan

Hammerschmid, G., Van de Walle, S., Andrews, R. & Bezes, P. (eds) (2016) Public Administration Reforms in Europe , Edward Elgar

Michiel de Vries (2016) Understanding Public Administration , Palgrave Macmillan

Ongaro, Edoardo & Van Thiel, Sandra (2018) The Palgrave Handbook of Public Administration and Management in Europe , Palgrave Macmillan

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNITY RESEARCH

MASTER OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

MASTER OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN STUDIES

MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

MASTER OF ARTS IN PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

MASTER OF ARTS IN POLITICS

MASTER OF ARTS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

MASTER OF ARTS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (PART-TIME)

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Autumn

Module Leader:

ber.connaughton@ul.ie