Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Management and Governance

Purpose

The purpose of this programme is to equip graduates with a major in Public Management, Public Administration and Public Governance and mid-career Public and Development managers already in possession of a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Public Management, Public Governance or Development Management with public policy, analytical and management competencies at Honours level in order to establish and enhance good governance at local, regional, provincial and national levels in South Africa. This is exactly what the curriculum is designed to do.

Rationale

The Programme outcomes meet national and regional knowledge, the labour market and other socio-cultural needs. It provides better accessibility to learners, aims at strengthening relationships with the community, civic, government, public sector institutions, private sector institutions, industry for local and regional development. The programme is intellectually credible and the requirements of professional bodies, the needs of the learners, other stakeholders such as employers, academic peers of other institutions are taken into consideration. The needs of learners are catered for in terms of disciplinary requirements which are determined by the informed and reasoned judgement of the members of the staff of the department, Board of Faculty and the Senate of University of Johannesburg. The outcomes of the proposed programme are aimed at making a positive contribution to the quality of life of all people, particularly those of Southern Africa and strive to attain academic excellence in the field of Public Administration/Public Governance (see mission of Department above). This programme does not lead to a professional qualification. There is no professional body with specific requirements to be taken into consideration but it is in line with the suggested SGB (internationally benchmarked) requirements. The programme of reputable universities in South Africa and PALAMA served as a benchmark for the development of the content of the proposed programme in the Department of Public Governance. The Department makes use of external examiners from reputable South African universities to maintain the intellectual integrity of the programme. The increase in learner enrolments at University of Johannesburg APK and the statistics at other universities is evidence that stakeholders and learners demand Public Administration/Public Governance as a major on under and postgraduate level. This is also a step in improving further postgraduate possibilities for Masters and Doctoral degrees. Offering this programme will have limited impact on current University of Johannesburg resources as existing staff will be used for the programme. New lecturing facilities on Soweto promotes more access for learners to obtain this qualification in order to satisfy the growing need in the public sector, for professionals with both governance and management knowledge. This is also the trend internationally as well.

Potential learners should demonstrate the following competencies

• The ability to write academic texts.
• The ability to write a research proposal and report.
• The ability to orally present and defend an argument that is supported by evidence.
• The ability to engage with and critique the ideas of his/her peers in a constructive manner.

Recognition of Prior Learning

According to University of Johannesburg policy.

Access to the Qualification

Requirements for admission

Any learner with a bachelor's degree with Public Administration or equivalent as a major subject (including a BTech degree, a four-year tertiary Diploma or Advanced Diploma) with an acceptable study record will be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts Public Management and Governance Honours programme.

For learners with a bachelor's degree other than a degree in Public Administration/Public Management/Public Governance/Development Studies with Public Governance/Public Administration as a major the requirements are: the passing of 5 NQF Level 6 admission modules in Public Administration, Public Management and/or Development Management (or the equivalent of 120 credits for similar modules at other universities) or meeting the Recognition of Prior Learning policy requirements of the University according to which the equivalent of 120 credits at NQF Level 6 are assessed and recognized before enrolment for the Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Public Management and Governance at University of Johannesburg.

The admission modules are

1. Research Methods and Writing Skills for Public and Development Management.
2. Orientation to Public Management Functions.
3. Orientation to Public Policy.
4. Orientation to Public Human Resource and Financial Management.
5. The constitutional and institutional frameworks for public administration and governance.

Learners who qualify for the university Recognition of Prior Learning programme will also be considered for admission on application in terms of that policy.

Level, Credits and learning components assigned to the qualification

• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, Advanced Public Financial Management (Elective).
• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, Advanced Public HRM (Elective).
• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, Advanced Public Policy Management (Elective).
• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, Capita Selecta: Theoretical Perspectives (Elective).
• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, International Public Administration and Governance (Elective).
• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, Public Management and Governance: Methodology (Compulsory).
• NQF Level 8, 20 Credits, Public Management and Governance: Research Essay (Compulsory).

Total credits: 120.

Learning components; Number of credits allocated; NQF Level.

• Core; 60 Credits; NQF Level 8.
• Electives; 60 Credits; NQF Level 8.

The learner should be able to

1. To evaluate and, where relevant, to apply theoretical concepts and approaches to real world public administration/management/governance situations.
2. To demonstrate an advanced ability at problem identification and problem-solving by using and applying relevant theories in the field of local, provincial and national public administration/management/governance.
3. To analyse the various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply specialised theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and other case studies and public administration/management/governance contexts.
4. To identify relevant means of action in the field of public administration/management/governance.
5. To plan and execute advanced research in the public administration/management/governance field.
6. To use information technology effectively.
7. To collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in public administration/management/governance based on a relevant theoretical framework.
8. To reflect on the local governance of communities and explain what type of administrative transformation is possible.
9. To communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the public administration/management/governance field all role players.
10. To demonstrate an advanced analytical approach towards communities and a sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities.
11. To assess the implications of government interventions in the public administration/management/governance environment.
12. To apply different learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political/public administrative/public management and governance context.

1. Can the learner evaluate and, where relevant, apply theoretical concepts and approaches to real world international public administration/governance situations?
2. Does the learner demonstrate an advanced ability at problem identification and problem solving the field of local, provincial and public administration? Can theories be applied at the relevant level?
3. Is the learner able to analyse the relevant dimensions governance and to evaluate and apply advanced theoretical knowledge to South African case studies and public administration/management contexts?
4. Is the learner able to identify relevant means of action in the field of public administration/management/governance?
5. Can the learner do research in the public administration management/governance field?
6. Can the learner use information technology effectively?
7. Is the learner able to collect, analyses, organises and critically evaluates information with regard to ethical problems in public administration/management/governance based on a relevant theoretical framework?
8. Can the learner reflect on the governance of municipalities and explain what type of administrative transformations is possible?
9. Can the learner communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the public administration management/governance field with all role players?
10. Does the learner demonstrate an analytical approach towards communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities?
11. Is the learner able to assess the implications of specific government interventions in the public administration/management/governance environment?
12. Is the learner capable of applying different learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic public administration/management/governance context?

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessments will take place throughout the duration of the module. At least one written assignment in the form of a formative research report or conceptual paper and (using a portfolio of outcomes based practical exercises and oral evaluations). Summative assessment takes place through a Final Exam.