This course aims to provide students with an overview of the main topics currently debated with regard to public management. The course presents topics from the perspective of academics and then uses the seminar sessions to illustrate the issues with real world organizations from the Barcelona area. The course has both a theoretical and a practical dimension, and aims at developing some managerial and leadership skills.

The course begins by covering topics such as leadership and negotiation, including the student’s own leadership and negotiation skills. It continues to cover private and third sector participation in the provision of public services, contracting out and the analysis of performance. It moves on to discovering how to enhance the motivation of employees and to manage teams. Furthermore, the course presents the relations between politicians and managers and new policies as their main outcomes. The last part of the course is dedicated to present and discuss innovative social policies.

Assessment

The course is organized on 12 two-hour lectures and 6 two-hour seminars. The course puts a strong emphasis on active student participation. It is essential that students prepare well every class reading, at least, one of the suggested compulsory articles.

Evaluation overview

• Class attendance and participation 10%
• In-class presentation 20%
• Group report on one organization / policy 50%
• Multiple choice test 20%