GV483 Half Unit
Public Management Theory and Doctrine
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Martin Lodge
Availability
This course is available on the MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Management (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Public Policy and Administration, MSc in Regulation and Master of Public Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and access cannot be guaranteed. Priority will be given to students on the programmes listed above.
Course content
The course offers an intensive introduction into key areas of public management with reference to both developed and lesser developed world contexts. Topics include administrative doctrine, implementation, organizational change and inertia, capacity building, performance-management, leadership, institution creation, transparency and risk management. Public management is treated as an interdisciplinary field of study, with a particular emphasis on the administrative practices and change as well as the critical analysis of practical arguments about Public Management.
Teaching
This course will be delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures, amounting to a minimum of 23 and a half hours in the Autumn term. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of term.
Formative coursework
Students are expected to complete two formative essays.
Indicative reading
M Barzelay, Public Management as a design-oriented profession discipline, 2019; C Hood, The Art of the State, 1998; C Hood and M Lodge, Politics of Public Service Bargains, 2006; C Hood and H Margetts, Tools of Government in the Digital Age, 2007; C Hood, The Blame Game, 2010; A Hassel and K Wegrich, How to Do Public Policy, 2022.
Assessment
Essay (60%, 2500 words) in the WT.
Blog post (40%) in the AT.
The blog would have a word limit of 1000 words, and would be due for submission at the end of Week 11 of AT.
Student performance results
(2020/21 - 2022/23 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 6.6 |
| Merit | 83.6 |
| Pass | 9.8 |
| Fail | 0 |
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2023/24: 45
Average class size 2023/24: 15
Controlled access 2023/24: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Specialist skills