MSL4100 Organization, Management and Change in the Public Sector Course description

The course covers theories and models for analysing management, organisations and organisational changes with an emphasis on the public sector. The main focus is drivers and conditions for change, rationalisation and reorganisation, and change processes and strategies. The course employs an tool-based approach to organisation and management.

None

Knowledge

The student has

• in-depth knowledge of organisation and management of relevance to administration, service provision, governance and reorganisation in the public sector
• in-depth knowledge of change needs and change behaviour in organisations
• knowledge of national and international, drivers and conditions for stability and change in the public sector

Skills

The student is capable of

• reflecting on organisation and management as a tool in the public sector
• analysing organisational factors and identifying development needs in public organisations
• applying knowledge of organisation and management to assess change strategies and relevant organisational solutions

Competence

The student is capable of

• applying his/her knowledge and skills to new fields to carry out advanced tasks and projects in administration and public management
• playing an active role in renewal and reform work and contributing critical perspectives to such processes
• applying knowledge and skills in obtaining and using relevant sources, literature and other information, masters reference and quotation techniques, and is capable of defining what constitutes plagiarism and cheating

Teaching is in the form of lectures, student presentations, discussions, group work and assignments. A high degree of independent activity is expected in the course.

Public health work is society's organized effort to maintain, improve and promote the population's health, both locally and globally. Interventions are directed towards factors that contribute to better health and factors that might represent a health risk. Public health work is concerned with reducing health inequalities through work on equity, accessibility and quality of services.

An increase in disease rates, long-term conditions and lifestyle illnesses are expected in the future. This is a consequence of demographic changes and a result of people's health behaviours. Competence in inter-professional and inter-sectoral collaboration in both public and private sectors is crucial to meeting challenges.

Regulations: Lov om universiteter og høyskoler and Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet.

ECTS-Distribution

Theory and method

• Part I: 0,5
• Part II: 1,0
• Sum ECTS: 1,5

Ethics

• Part I: 0,5
• Part III: 0,5
• Sum ECTS: 1,0

Governance

• Part I: 3,0
• Part II: 3,0
• Sum ECTS: 6,0

Communication

• Part I: 0,5
• Part III: 1,0
• Sum ECTS: 1,5

Health Promotion & Preventative Work

• Part I: 0,5
• Part II: 1,0
• Part III: 3,5
• Sum ECTS: 5,0

Sum

• Part I: 5,0
• Part II: 5,0
• Part III: 5,0
• Sum ECTS: 15

Completion of the first academic year.

Part I - The Scope of Global Public Health

5 ECTS.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this part, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• describe the challenges in welfare systems, relevant national legislation, and international agreements
• describe the past, and present developments and achievements of public health and discuss possible future challenges within the field
• describe social inequalities in health and their consequences nationally and globally
• describe epidemiology and different cost analyses, and discuss inter-professional, inter-sectoral and evidence-based interventions with target groups
• discuss the principles of universal design from a human rights and democratic perspective

Skills

The student is able to

• address challenges in public health and demonstrate how to intervene professionally in collaboration with others
• demonstrate communication skills to improve health literacy
• search for relevant research, analyze these and apply to the findings in their assignment

General competences

The student is able to

• apply the tools of innovation and entrepreneurship in public health issues and communicate the results to an audience
• reflect upon ethical issues and discuss intercultural perspectives in public health

Part II - Environmental Conditions and Population Health

5 ECTS.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this part, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• discuss the interactions between the environment and sustainable development, and their effect on health
• describe health care emergency interventions following different types of disasters, and discuss challenges encountered
• discuss inter-professional and inter-sectoral interventions focusing on communicable and non-communicable diseases, including mental conditions
• describe how inter-professional and inter-sectoral practice might contribute to improve and promote mental health
• describe the distribution of different types of injuries nationally and globally and how to prevent them
• discuss how to promote occupational health and to prevent occupational health hazards
• discuss theoretical models for behavioral change and their application

Skills

The student is able to

• reflect upon priorities in public health and the consequences for population health
• demonstrate communication skills to strengthen social capital through social marketing and reflect on intervention strategies and their efficacy
• reflect upon a comprehensive view of humanity and human rights

General competences

The student is able to

• reflect upon diversity and how different ethnic, religious and cultural background may influence communication between people
• demonstrate how to disseminate public health knowledge collaboratively with target groups and stakeholders
• apply research methods in solving public health problems

Part III - Family Health

5 ECTS.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this part, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• reflect on the complexity of health determinants throughout the life cycle
• discuss the role of activities and social participation in health promotion (occupational science)
• describe national and global vaccination programs, and discuss their impact and challenges involved including ethical issues

Skills

The student is able to

• reflect upon communication and collaboration within an inter-professional team
• develop interactive and critical health education information to improve family health
• identify and describe different information channels to promote health education and knowledge sharing

General competences

The student is able to

• reflect upon ethical issues, conflicts in personal values, and inter-professional and inter-sectoral approaches in family health
• reflect upon the role of public-private partnership as an asset in public health
• describe social entrepreneurship and societal transformation as a tool for implementation of a public health activity

The learning and teaching approach consists of group work supported by lectures, workshops and self-studies. Groups, consisting of approximately 5 students, focus on assignments facilitated by tutors. Every group member contributes to the creation and presentation of all assignments. Part I includes two assignments while part II and part III include one assignment each. See the teaching plan for further details.

All parts of the course have a focus on interactivity in promoting knowledge exchange and on inter-professional collaborative dialogue, enhancing self-awareness in the professional role. The students will gain practice in decision-making and problem-solving, related to client-centered and evidence-based practice.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

Group assignments, part I:

• submit a written interactive lecture in English, including an oral presentation of the lecture in English, max 20 minutes
• submit a written innovation/business plan in English, max 350 words, including an oral presentation of the plan in English, approx. 2 minutes

Group assignment, part II:

• submit a written project plan in English, max 1500 words, including an oral presentation of the plan in English, max 15 minutes

Group assignment, part III:

• submit and present a 3-minutes digital story (approx. 300 words) in English

All group assignments must be published on the course web site in Canvas. The assignments must be signed electronically by all members of the group.

Examination content: Learning outcomes from part I, II and III.

Examination form: Individual oral exam, 20 min.

The student may choose English or Norwegian as examination language.