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PAD312Management Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Management Of Public Service

This course introduces the history and development of modern public service. It covers the functions of the public service, theories and models for managing it, and an overview of Nigeria's public service reforms. Students will learn about public personnel management, service rules, materials and financial management, and controlling and discipline within the public service. The course aims to enhance students' understanding of public service management and improve their competency in performing related duties.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Public ServiceManagementPersonnelReformsAccountability

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

History of Public Service

2

Public Service Reforms

3

Theories of Management

4

Public Personnel Management

5

Public Service Rules

6

Financial Management

7

Ethics and Accountability

8

Controlling and Discipline

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Public Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Civil Servant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Government Official

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Sector Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentPublic SectorCivil ServicePublic EnterprisesNon-profit Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

MODULE 1: HISTORY OF MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 1: The Public Service Concept

2 study hours
  • •Define civil service, public service, public sector, and government.
  • •Identify the subtle differences between civil service and public service.
  • •Discuss the machinery of government in Nigeria.
Week
2

MODULE 1: HISTORY OF MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 2: History of Public Service

2 study hours
  • •Explain the origins of the British Civil Service.
  • •List the characteristics of the United States of America's Civil Service in the 19th century.
  • •Enumerate the main features of the Nigerian Civil Service from the colonial era to the present civilian administration.
Week
3

MODULE 1: HISTORY OF MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 3: Functions of the Public Service

2 study hours
  • •Enumerate the functions of the Nigerian Civil Service.
  • •Compare the functions of the Nigerian Civil Service with that of Britain.
  • •Explain the functions of the United States of America's Civil Service.
Week
4

MODULE 1: HISTORY OF MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 4: Overview of Public Service Reforms in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Define reforms and explain the problems they aim to solve.
  • •Identify the major recommendations of pre-independence reforms (Sir Walter Harragin, Sir H.M. Foot, Gorsuch, Newns, Justice I.N. Mbanefo).
  • •Appraise the effectiveness of current reforms.
Week
5

MODULE 1: HISTORY OF MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 5: Management of Public Enterprises

2 study hours
  • •Draw the organization structure of public enterprises.
  • •List the sources of finance of public enterprises.
  • •Explain the control functions of the key actors in the evaluation of public enterprises performance.
  • •Enumerate performance measures of public enterprises.
Week
6

MODULE 1: HISTORY OF MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 6: Differences between Public and Private Sector Managers

2 study hours
  • •Explain the structure of the public service.
  • •Describe the functions of the public servant.
  • •Differentiate the functions of the private sector manager from the public sector manager.
  • •Enumerate the constraints facing both the private sector and public sector manager.
Week
7

MODULE 2: THEORIES AND MODEL FOR MANAGING THE PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 7: Classical Theories of Management

2 study hours
  • •Differentiate among the two branches of classical administrative theories.
  • •Apply the fourteen principles of management to your job.
  • •Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the classical theories.
Week
8

MODULE 2: THEORIES AND MODEL FOR MANAGING THE PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 8: Behavioural Theories

2 study hours
  • •Explain the Human Relations school.
  • •Describe the Hawthorne experiments.
  • •List the key features of the behavioral school.
  • •Evaluate the contributions of the behavioral theorists.
Week
9

MODULE 2: THEORIES AND MODEL FOR MANAGING THE PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 9: Quantitative Management Theories

2 study hours
  • •Explain the Management Science Schools of thought.
  • •Describe the key features of the Operations Management School.
Week
10

MODULE 2: THEORIES AND MODEL FOR MANAGING THE PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 10: Systems and Contingency Theories

2 study hours
  • •Use the systems approach in making decisions.
  • •Explain the features of a system.
  • •Know the right approach to use for any situation you face as a manager.
Week
11

MODULE 2: THEORIES AND MODEL FOR MANAGING THE PUBLIC SERVICE

2h

Unit 11: Models of Public Service Management

2 study hours
  • •Define the concept New Public Management.
  • •Enumerate the New Public Management techniques.
Week
12

MODULE 3: PUBLIC SERIVCE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

4h

Unit 12: Labour Management Relations in the Public Service

2 study hours
  • •Define Management and Personnel Management
  • •Define Public Personnel Management
  • •Explain the Scope of Public Personnel Management
  • •Explain the Structure of Public Personnel Management in Nigeria

Unit 13: Performance Appraisal of Public Servants

2 study hours
  • •Define Labour/Industrial Relations
  • •Explain the Concept of Labour/ Industrial Relations
  • •Explain the origin of Trade Unions
  • •Enumerate the Principles of Collective Bargaining
Week
13

MODULE 3: PUBLIC SERIVCE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

4h

Unit 14: Staff Motivation in the Public Service

2 study hours
  • •Define performance Appraisal
  • •Apply the methods of Performance Appraisal
  • •List the Techniques of Performance Appraisal
  • •Critically examine the problems of Performance Appraisal

Unit 15: Training and Development in the Public Service

2 study hours
  • •Define motivation
  • •Explain the relationship between motivation and job performance
  • •Enumerate what motivates workers
  • •Relate the contributions of Frederik Taylor and Elton Mayo to motivation of public servants.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and definitions.

2

Develop case studies applying theoretical models to real-world public service scenarios.

3

Practice answering past examination questions to improve time management and recall.

4

Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share insights.

5

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and incorporate feedback into your study notes.

6

Focus on understanding the Public Service Rules and their practical application.

7

Create concept maps linking theories of management to practical examples in the public sector.

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