2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP5455M Public Administration: Professional Development

120 creditsClass Size: 10

Module manager: Suzanne Hallam
Email: s.l.hallam@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Oct to 30 Jun View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Completion of 180 credits from the Masters in Public Administration

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This experiential professional development module extends the academic learning gained on an MPA programme. It is based on a personal development plan, which may include individual or group work in external organisations, normally in the public or voluntary sector, chosen in agreement between the student, module leader and organisation. It may also include activities of further training, skills development or negotiated study. Before enrolment on the module, and in negotiation with the module leader, students will outline their professional development goals and confirm in writing the agreement of any partner organisations with which they will collaborate (e.g. in the case of a work placement activity). At the beginning of the module, students participate in three preparation workshops. These provide an introduction to work-based learning and reflexive practice, techniques in the analysis and use of evidence in policy-making and the conditions for effective organisational learning. Students complete an individual Training and Development Needs Analysis, a Personal Development Plan (detailing the schedule of activities to be undertaken), and any necessary Risk Assessments and/or ethical approval processes.Each student is then responsible for implementing their PDP during a period of up to 14 weeks (typically November-March) with support from a tutor. After the completion of scheduled activities, students participate in two reflection workshops (April-May) during which time they prepare a summary written assignment, reflecting upon, analysing and critically evaluating the experience and their cumulative professional development.

Objectives

To provide students with experience in public administration contexts, roles and challenges relevant to their professional development needs.

To enable a critical exploration of the similarities and differences between these experiences, students’ previous work experiences and their future career goals in public administration.

To cultivate comparative, analytical and reflective skills relating to advanced professional development in public administration.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this module the student will:

- Gain extended experience of organisational practices, implementation systems and processes, and/or research skills relevant to advancing a career in public administration within the public, private or voluntary sector.

- Extend their insight into relevant aspects of the public administration and policy implementation context in the UK and develop their network of professional contacts.

Syllabus

Semester 1
Block 1: The Personal Development Plan (5 weeks)
Three preparatory workshops and individual or small group tutorials. Preliminary visit to partner organisation(s), researching the context, identifying learning opportunities.

Block 2: Implementation and monitoring (14 weeks)
Practical experience (observation, discussion, participation) supported by individual/group tutorials, maintenance of and personal learning log and attendance at relevant School research seminars. Indicatively, students may include in their schedule of professional development activities:
- Placement or project work in a public administration context (e.g. for observation, work experience, shadowing, mentoring or research).
- Auditing available taught modules or seminars tailored to professional needs and career interests (e.g. in research method or subject based knowledge, research seminars, guest speakers).
- Generic skills courses provided within the university or by external providers (e.g. working with others, personal effectiveness, mentoring others, communication skills, people management, time management, project management, resilience, writing and presentation skills).
- Attendance at national or international conferences of relevance to professional development objectives.

Block 3: Reflection and evaluation (3 weeks)
Two reflection and reporting workshops. Student presentations and preparation of the written assignment.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	5	2.00	10.00
Supervision Meetings	7	1.00	7.00
Private study hours			1,183.00
Total Contact hours			17.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			1,200.00

Private study

Block 1 of the module involves an intensive period of supported private study, during which students work on their training needs analysis and personal development plan, negotiate the activities with tutors and partner organisations, research the policy and organisational context, obtain permissions etc.
In Block 2, students spend the bulk of their time working independently on practical learning activities (including any period of negotiated work placement experience. Placement or practical activity 392 hours). This activity is recorded in a weekly learning log (weekly online learning journal 70 hours), accessible to the course tutor, supported by contact in tutorial monitoring meetings and School seminars.
In Block 3, students work privately on the preparation of their presentation and written assignment (Class tests, exams and assessment preparation 50 hours).

Students are also expected to attend School seminar series (Attendance at School seminars 11 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored in the first phase through discussion and approval of Personal Development Plans, during the implementation by tutorial meetings and the weekly online learning log, and in the final phase through discussions and student presentations in class.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

A 2,000-3,000 word synoptic report that records, evaluates and critically reflects upon the student’s experience in planning and implementing a Personal Development Plan for professional development in public administration. This to include (a) the identification of learning objectives in relation to past work experience, competences and future career goals; (b) a reflection on the challenges involved in researching and planning the activities, the approaches, skills and sources of knowledges employed to resolve these; (c) a detailed summary account of the activities undertaken, their public administration context, and identification of connections with aspects of prior academic learning from the MPA; (d) a critical evaluation and reflection on what was learned from the experiences and the identification of professional competences acquired or strengthened.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 05/08/2020 09:58:10

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