Course Catalogue

Module:                                  PS303 – Administration and Public Policy

 

Credit value:                         12

 

Programme:                          B.A. PS

 

General objective:

This module provides students with an understanding of the conceptual aspects of public administration  and  public  policy.  With  the  increasing  complexity  of  administration,  the students need to be well equipped with the theoretical tools to analyze and understand the essence  of  modern  public  policy  making  and  administration  both  in  general  sense  and specifically for Bhutan.

 

Learning outcomes:

 

On the successful completion of the module the students will be able to:

 

     Have a basic understanding about the meaning and scope of public administration.

     Posses the  Knowledge about the functioning  of bureaucracy in Bhutan

     Critically analyze the system on various criteria of governance. .

     Understand the concept of public policy.

     Critically analyze the importance of modern mechanisms for better governance.

     Know about the process of policy making in Bhutan.

     Explain the various theories of Administration with relevant examples.

 

Learning and teaching approach:

Lectures (60 hours) Tutorials (15 hours)

Group discussions (15 hours) Assignments (30 hours)

This module counts for 12 credits, divided over a period of 15 weeks. With a maximum of 8 hours per week, the number of teaching hours is four per week. There will be a one-hour tutorial, once per week, and two hours are being reserved for self-study and research. Once every week, there will be a one-hour group discussion.

 

Assessment:

End Semester Examination (40%)

Mid Semester Examination (15%) Written assignments (25%) Assignment Presentation (10%) Class participation (10%)

 

Subject matter:

 

1. Public Administration as a discipline: Meaning, Scope and Approaches

2. Administrative theories: the classical theory, scientific management, the human relations theory Rational- decision making.

3. Bureaucracy: Theories, types and Role.

4. Bureaucracy in Bhutan: Structure, Recruitment, Training, Role, Problems, Criticism,

 Role of RCSC

5. Public Policy

5.1 Concept and theories

5.2 Relevance of Policy Making in administration and processes of policy formulations.

5.3 Implementation and Evaluation.

6. Models of decision making

6.1 Rational actor models

6.2 Incremental models

6.3 Bureaucratic organization models

6.4 Belief system models

 

 

7. System Performance

7.1 Stability and order

7.2 Material Prosperity

7.3 Citizenship

7.4 Democratic rule

8. Contemporary developments:

8.1 New public management

8.2 Good governance and development

8.3 Corporate governance, Feminist and ecological perspective on public policy and administration.

 

9. Administration and citizens:

 

9.1 Meaning and forms of public accountability

9.2 NGOs and peoples participation

9.3 Redressal of public grievances

10. Policy making in Bhutan: Institutions, ideology, participation of citizens, Transparency, accountability, Right to information.

 

Reading list:

 

Text Books

 

Awasthi and Maheshwari, (2003) Public Administration, New Delhi

 

Michael E. Kraft , Scott R. Thomas r. Dye,(1975) Understanding Public Policy, Prentice

Hall, New jersey.

Mohit Bhattacharya and Bidyut Chakrabarty(eds),(2000)_Pulic Administration : A reader, Delhi University Press.

Reference Books and Articles

 

Eugene Bardach ,(2000)A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More

Effective Problem Solving,C Q Press.

Felix Negro, (1970) Modern Public Administration, Harper International. Martin Albrow,(1978)Bureaucracy, Macmillan,Londoan. Palombra(1982) Bureaucracy and Political Developmet, OUP, London.

Pinkney, R(1979)Democracy in the ThirdWorld, Lynne Rienner Publishers, New York. Pye,L (1979) Political culture and Political Development, Princeton university press, Princeton.

 

Rodger, John (2000) Introduction to Social Policy, OUP, London.

 

GG Plus Document: In pursuit of Gross national Happiness 2005

 

Bhutan 2020: a vision for peace prosperity and happiness.