Skip to main content
nounstudy
PAD404

Comparative Public Administration

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of comparative public administration. It explores the evolution, meaning, scope, and significance of the field, examining various models and approaches. The course critically analyzes administrative systems in developed and developing countries, including France, Germany, the UK, USA, China, India, Nigeria, and Senegal. Students will gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different administrative systems.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
120 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
Before you start
  • Basic knowledge of public administration principles
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PAD404 · UNIT 1 EVOLUTION OF COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Each of the study units follows a common format. The first item is an introduction of the subject matter of the unit, and how a particular unit is integrated with the other units and the course as a whole.

What you should be able to do

  1. Trace the evolution of Comparative Public Administration.
  2. Understand the meaning and scope of comparative public administration.
  3. Identify the significance of comparative public administration studies.
  4. Critically discuss the different models/approaches to the study of comparative public administration.
  5. Understand and describe the system of administration in developed and developing countries.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Public Administrator
  • Policy Analyst
  • International Development Officer
  • Civil Servant
  • Governance Expert
Where it is applied
  • Government
  • International Organizations
  • Non-profit Sector
  • Consulting
  • Academia

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration

    Unit 6: Riggs's contribution to Comparative Public Administration studies

    Riggs's Prismatic Model requires understanding of complex societal structures and their impact on administrative systems, involving abstract concepts and interdisciplinary knowledge.

  • Module 2: Administrative Systems of Developed Classic, Civic and Modernising Cultures

    Unit 2: System of Administration in the Classic Culture: France and Germany

    Understanding the historical context and the nuances of the French administrative system requires familiarity with French political history and legal traditions.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration
    • Unit 1: Evolution of Comparative Public Administration Studies · 2 hours

      Read Unit 1: Understand the historical context and key figures in the evolution of comparative administration.. Identify the factors that shaped the development of this field..

  2. Week 2Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration
    • Unit 2: Meaning and scope of Comparative Public Administration · 2 hours

      Define comparative public administration and differentiate it from traditional public administration.. Explore the scope of comparative administration studies and its various dimensions..

  3. Week 3Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration
    • Unit 3: Significance of Comparative Public Administration Studies · 2 hours

      Discuss the significance of comparative public administration in understanding administrative systems.. Analyze how comparative studies contribute to theory building and practical application..

  4. Week 4Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration
    • Unit 4: Models of Comparative Public Administration · 2 hours

      Examine different models used in comparative public administration, including Weber's bureaucracy model.. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each model..

  5. Week 5Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration
    • Unit 5: Approaches to the Study of Comparative Administration · 2 hours

      Explore various approaches to studying comparative public administration, such as the behavioral and systems approaches.. Analyze the advantages and limitations of each approach..

  6. Week 6Module 1: An Overview of Comparative Public Administration
    • Unit 6: Riggs's contribution to Comparative Public Administration studies · 2 hours

      Study Riggs's contributions to comparative public administration, including the ecological approach.. Understand the prismatic-sala model and its implications for developing countries..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Administrative Systems of Developed Classic, Civic and Modernising Cultures
    • Unit 1: System of Administration in the developed countries · 2 hours

      Examine the key characteristics of administrative systems in developed countries.. Understand the factors that contribute to their effectiveness..

  8. Week 8Module 2: Administrative Systems of Developed Classic, Civic and Modernising Cultures
    • Unit 2: System of Administration in the Classic Culture: France and Germany · 2 hours

      Analyze the administrative systems in France and Germany, focusing on their historical context.. Understand the unique features of administration in classic cultures..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Administrative Systems of Developed Classic, Civic and Modernising Cultures
    • Unit 3: System of Administration in the Civic Culture: Great Britain and the USA · 2 hours

      Study the administrative systems in Great Britain and the USA, focusing on their civic culture.. Understand the role of bureaucracy and accountability in these systems..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Administrative Systems of Developed Classic, Civic and Modernising Cultures
    • Unit 4: Modernising Administrative system of Japan · 2 hours

      Examine the modernizing administrative system of Japan, focusing on its unique characteristics.. Understand how Japan has adapted Western administrative practices to its own context..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Systems of Administration in Developing Countries, Asia, Africa and Latin America
    • Unit 1: System of Administration in Developing countries · 2 hours

      Explore the administrative systems in developing countries, focusing on their challenges.. Understand the factors that contribute to their effectiveness..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Systems of Administration in Developing Countries, Asia, Africa and Latin America
    • Unit 2: System of Administration in China and India · 2 hours

      Analyze the administrative systems in China and India, focusing on their unique characteristics.. Understand the role of bureaucracy and accountability in these systems..

    • Unit 3: System of Administration in selected Anglophone and Francophone African countries · 2 hours

      Study the administrative systems in Nigeria and Senegal, focusing on their unique challenges.. Understand the role of bureaucracy and accountability in these systems..

  13. Week 13Module 3: Systems of Administration in Developing Countries, Asia, Africa and Latin America
    • Unit 4: System of Administration in selected Latin American countries. · 2 hours

      Examine the administrative systems in Brazil and Argentina, focusing on their unique characteristics.. Understand the role of bureaucracy and accountability in these systems..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a timeline of key events in the evolution of comparative public administration (Unit 1, Module 1).
  • Develop concept maps linking different models of comparative administration (Units 4-6, Module 1).
  • Compare and contrast administrative systems of at least three countries (Modules 2 & 3).
  • Focus on understanding the ecological factors influencing administrative systems (Units 5 & 6, Module 1).
  • Practice essay questions comparing different approaches to comparative public administration (Unit 5, Module 1).
  • Review case studies of administrative reforms in developing countries (Module 3).

Questions students ask about this course

What is PAD404 about?

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of comparative public administration. It explores the evolution, meaning, scope, and significance of the field, examining various models and approaches. The course critically analyzes administrative systems in developed and developing countries, including France, Germany, the UK, USA, China, India, Nigeria, and Senegal. Students will gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different administrative systems.

How many units does PAD404 have?

PAD404, Comparative Public Administration, has 9 units across 2 modules, over 115 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PAD404?

PAD404 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Management Sciences.

Is PAD404 hard?

PAD404 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does PAD404 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.

How is PAD404 assessed?

PAD404 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What do I need before starting PAD404?

Basic knowledge of public administration principles

What can I do with PAD404?

Public Administrator, Policy Analyst, International Development Officer, Civil Servant and Governance Expert.

More courses in Management Sciences

BUS429

Corporate Planning

3 credit units

Open BUS429
PAD412

Introduction To Administrative Practices And Procedures

2 credit units

Open PAD412
COP416

Cooperative Accounting

2 credit units

Open COP416