THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Politics

Undergraduate Course: The Politics of British Public Services (PLIT10067)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaPolitics Other subject areaSocial Policy
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course will consider recent developments in British public services to understand the political forces behind the changing nature of the way services are being organised and managed to promote a culture of enterprise rather than sustaining traditional notions of a welfare state. Attention will be paid to the views and definitions of the different stakeholders, including service users, citizens, trades unions, professionals, managers, and Government. Topics will include issues of marketisation, such as privatisation, competition, consumerism and payment by results, as well as broader themes around the management and measurement of resource efficiency (including the role of the Treasury), effectiveness, equity and citizenship. The contexts chosen will primarily be health services, social care services and education, although others may be used for illustration. Recent developments by the 'New' Labour Government in its modernisation agenda will be contrasted with 'old' Labour and previous Conservative Governments.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Social Policy or closely related courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Class Delivery Information classes take place on Wednesdays from 11-1, semester 1
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 10 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)The Politics of British Public Services2:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should be able, by the end of the course:

(i) To understand the changes and differences that have occurred in the delivery of public services in Britain over the last few decades
(ii) To develop a critical awareness of the politics and rationale behind the New Labour modernisation agenda
(iii) To understand how the welfare state has been transformed through various policy instruments within specific public services as well as through the Treasury
(iv) To identify and understand the different perspectives and interests of the various stakeholders.
Assessment Information
Seminar Presentation 10%, Essay 40% and Examination 50%
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserMr Richard Parry
Tel: (0131 6)50 3918
Email: Richard.Parry@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Roisin O'Fee
Tel: (0131 6)50 9975
Email: Roisin.OFee@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
© Copyright 2013 The University of Edinburgh - 10 October 2013 5:14 am