PL5294 - Public Administration and Intergovernment Relations

[Offered in odd-numbered years]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Arts & Social Sciences

This subject introduces students to a range of issues affecting contemporary public administration, with emphasis on the debate on the role of government; the political context; and the process of public sector change and relations between the levels of government in Australia. Topics include: the fiscal crisis of the state; corporatisation and privatisation; new contractualism outsourcing, contracting out, and competitive tendering. Some emphasis is also placed on moves for systemic reform of intergovernment structures as advanced via the Council of Australian Governments and other ministerial councils. This includes examination of problems of duplication and overlap; National Competition Policy; program responsibilities and funding and fiscal imbalance.

Learning Outcomes

• critically review relevant academic and government literature;
• develop appropriate written and verbal communication skills;
• develop understanding of key concepts in public administration and their application to contemporary developments in public sector management and intergovernment relations in Australia;
• use research and analytical skills pertinent to work in public administration.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

PL2292 and PL2294 and PL3292 and PL3294

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).
External, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Method of Delivery:	and WWW - LearnJCU and OtherPrinted materials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); assignments (60%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.