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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

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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 Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements 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.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. understand the changes and differences that have occurred in the delivery of public services in Britain over the last few decades
  2. develop a critical awareness of the politics and rationale behind the New Labour modernisation agenda
  3. understand how the welfare state has been transformed through various policy instruments within specific public services as well as through the Treasury
  4. identify and understand the different perspectives and interests of the various stakeholders
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information classes take place on Wednesdays from 11-1, semester 1
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 8921
Email: Roisin.OFee@ed.ac.uk
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