Public Administration & Management Theories

• The module is EPAM 1514: Public Administration and Management Theories
• The module is at NQF level 5 and is worth 16 credits
• The module was compiled by Mr LP Molekane (BFN) and Ms M Phate (QwaQwa)
• The faculty for the module is Economic and Management Sciences

Module Description

• The module aims to prepare students for work in government, non-profits, or community groups, promoting public good and societal welfare
• The purpose is to provide insights into the importance of theories in studying Public Administration
• This module highlights administrative theories in the operations of public institutions
• Public Administration is viewed as an eclectic science adapting lessons from various disciplines
• The module distinguishes between Public Administration (discipline) and public administration (activity in the public sector)
• The module will introduce theory and theories underpinning public administration and management
• The module also covers the origins and theoretical framework of Public Administration as an academic field

Module Outcomes

• Define theory and its importance in public administration and management (section A)
• Identify significant theories/movements/approaches in the study of Public Administration (section A)
• Determine the origin of Public Administration as a field of study (section B)
• Distinguish between public administration and public management (sections A & C)
• Differentiate between Public Administration and public administration (Section C)
• Identify the main contributors to Public Administration (section B)
• Establish the development of theories, movements, and approaches in administration and management (section D)

Graduate Attributes

• Graduate attributes are characteristics students develop while earning a university degree, recognized globally as essential outcomes of higher education, according to the UFS Teaching and Learning Strategy for 2019-2024
• This module develops these attributes through scenarios, classroom activities, discussions, and writing assignments
• Academic competence includes knowledge, skills, and attitudes, with a focus on lifelong learning
• Problem-solving involves designing, evaluating, and implementing strategies to achieve goals
• Oral communication is a prepared presentation to increase knowledge, understanding, or promote change
• Written communication involves developing and expressing ideas in writing across various genres and technologies

How Learning Will Take Place

• Knowledge is gained through class discussions, collaborative activities, and tutorial sessions with a tutor
• Learning occurs face-to-face (f2f), in contact sessions, or online if in-person meetings are not possible

Contact Session Schedule

• Bloemfontein campus: Mondays 09:00-10:00 (HMS), Tuesdays 15:10-17:00 (STB1), Thursdays 09:10-10:00 (PHY AUD)
• QwaQwa campus: Mondays 08:10-10:00 (E0009), Wednesdays 15:10-17:00 (L2)

Activities

• Online Quizzes
• Class Activities /Discussions/Presentations
• Tutorial Class Activities

List of Materials

• There is a reader supplied on Blackboard under RESOURCES, which serves as the reference for all evaluations
• All pages of the study guide contain significant information
• There is no required textbook for this module
• Additional study resources are available at the end/back of the reader

Assessment of Learning

• Overall grade is determined by assessment tasks
• Dates and times for assessments are in the module schedule and on Blackboard
• Two out of three semester tests and four out of five online quizzes must be completed
• These tasks contribute to the predicate mark
• A minimum predicate mark of 40% is required for admission to the formal/official examination

Predicate Mark

• Calculated from 2 x Semester Tests and 4 x Online Quizzes

Assessment Details

• The table provides assessment types, total marks, dates, times, venues, and percentage mark allocation, for assessments to be completed towards the predicate mark.
• Semester Tests 1, 2, and 3 are worth 40 marks each and contribute 30% each to the final mark

Assessment Structures

• Semester Tests consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), True/False Statements, Short Questions, and Essay Questions
• Quizzes consist of MCQs & T/F statements, remain open for 48 hours, have 30 minutes to answer, consist of 20 random questions, and allow 2 attempts

Final Module Mark

• Includes the predicate mark (from two semester tests and four online quizzes) and the official/formal examination mark
• A student must obtain a 50% final module mark to pass the module
• The final module mark is calculated from Predicate Mark (50%) and Examination Mark (50%)

Important Assessment Rules

• The Department of Public Administration and Management aligns with the EMS faculty assessment rules

EMS Faculty Assessment Rules Key Points

• No alternative assessment opportunity is available in the EMS faculty
• Examinable semester modules must have a minimum of three formal assessment opportunities
• One semester test is designated as the final formal assessment opportunity
• Students cannot complete all opportunities to improve marks
• The final formal assessment covers all module content
• The EMS Faculty recommends participating in assessments in sequence
• Lecturers cannot provide inside information on assessment topics
• Lecturers have discretion to provide past papers on an approved UFS platform
• Assessment results should be available within ten working days after administration
• Main examination results must be available within seven working days after the examination

Grievances Regarding Assessment Procedure

• Grievances should be reported to the lecturer within five working days of the results release
• Appeals can be lodged with the HoD within two working days, with substantiating grounds
• If unresolved, email the EMS Learning and Teaching Manager

Policies and Expectations

• Guidelines and policy documents are available on the module's Blackboard page under ASSESSMENTS
• It is crucial to understand the contents of these documents
• Links to documents are provided in table 4

Links to Policy Documents

• EMS Assessment Rules (2025) - EMS Assessment Rules 2025 (Final).pdf
• EMS Implementation Guidelines: Plagiarism and AI (2024) - policy-on-the-preventing-and-dealing-with-plagairsim-_publication.pdf

Evaluation Procedures

• Feedback is provided throughout the semester following assessments and evaluations
• Feedback is given during contact sessions or individual consultations
• There won’t be module evaluation at the end of the semester

Schedule and Activities

• Various sections within the schedule include Section A, B, C and D
• Section A learning outcomes include defining theory, naming administrative theory aspects and mentioning limitations
• Section B learning outcomes include identifying and explaining the six phases in the development of Public Administration
• Section C learning outcomes include defining public administration and explaining the difference in public management functions
• Section D learning outcomes include naming theories/movements and approaches underlying the study of Public Administration
• Quizzes and semester tests are throughout the schedule
• There is a UNIVESITY BREAK from 31 March – 4 April for the First Quarter
• Second Quarter begins on 7 April
• Main Mid-Year Examination begins 2-20 June