Undergraduate Course: The Politics of British Public Services (PLIT10067)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This 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
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting 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:
- understand the changes and differences that have occurred in the delivery of public services in Britain over the last few decades
- develop a critical awareness of the politics and rationale behind the New Labour modernisation agenda
- understand how the welfare state has been transformed through various policy instruments within specific public services as well as through the Treasury
- identify and understand the different perspectives and interests of the various stakeholders
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
classes take place on Wednesdays from 11-1, semester 1 |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Richard Parry
Tel: (0131 6)50 3918
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Roisin O'Fee
Tel: (0131 6)50 8921
Email: |
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