Introduction to Public Policy
| Module title | Introduction to Public Policy |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL1044 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Sarah Cooper (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 215 |
|---|
Module description
This course enables you to develop an understanding of the theory and practice of public policy in the UK and other Western liberal democracies. It focuses on key themes in public policy literature and on crucial debates which have dominated public policy discussion historically and currently in various areas of economic and social policy. These themes are explored through interrelated lectures and tutorials, and the module forms an introduction to the public policy pathway informally supported by a number of UG modules. If students are interested in this subject matter they are strongly encouraged to take the Level 2 module ‘Explaining Public Policy’ that builds upon these introductory trends.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Using contemporary examples of policy problems and research led teaching, the module aims to explore the lifecycle of public policies. Where do policy issues come from? How do groups and elites get decision-makers’ attention? How are policy issues framed by policymakers? What are the cognitive dimensions of decision-making? Why do countries copy each other in their policy responses? Once a public policy is made can it ever be reversed or terminated? What role does knowledge and evaluation play in decision-makers’ policy reckonings? Throughout the course links to employability – such as careers in the Civil Service – will be discussed and further information flagged.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand the nature and evolution of core concepts regarding public policy
- 2. Analyse selected policy theories, ideas, instruments, interests and institutions, and how policy outcomes reflect political forces and also change politics
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Analyse primary and secondary source material in the field of politics
- 4. Construct and present rigorous oral and written political arguments which show an understanding of key political theories and models
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Communicate effectively in oral and written work and in independent study and group work including the presentation of material for a non-assessed group discussion
- 6. Use on-line interactive material to apply key concepts to the empirical world
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- An Introduction to Public Policy
- Who are the Policy Actors?
- Citizen Attention and Issue Framing
- Government Attention
- Decision Making Models
- How do Institutions Matter?
- Policy in Space
- Policy in Time
- Policy Implementation
- Policy Evaluation
- Module Review
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | 11 x 1 hour tutorial. Tutorials are based on lecture topics. Every student will be expected to present a formative assessment during the semester. |
| Guided Independent Study | 5.5 | Preparation for formative seminar presentation |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Preparation and writing of essay |
| Guided independent study | 37 | Preparation and revision for examination |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Reading for Tutorials |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Tutorial Presentation | 15 minutes | 3,5,6 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written |
| Examination | 50 | 1 hour | 1-6 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Examination | Exam (1 hour) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative Reading List:
Baumgartner, F.R. and Jones, B.D. (1993) Agendas and Instability in American Politics, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Birkland, T.A. (2005) An Introduction to the Policy Process, 2nd edn, M.E. Sharpe.
Buonanno, L. and N. Zahariadis (eds) (2017) The Routledge Handbook of European Public Policy London: Taylor & Francis
Cairney, P. (2011) Theories of Public Policy Palgrave.
Dorey, P. (2014) Policy Making in Britain, Sage.
Dunn, W. (2007) Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2nd edn, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Fischer, F. (2003) Reframing Public Policy, Oxford University Press.
Hill, M. (ed) (2009) The Policy Process: A Reader, 5th edn, London: Longman.
Hill, M. and Hupe, P. (2009) Implementing Public Policy, 2nd edn, Sage.
Hogwood, B.W. and Gunn, L. (1984) Policy Analysis for the Real World, Oxford University Press.
Howlett, M. et al (2012) Routledge Handbook of Public Policy, Routledge.
Howlett, M., Ramesh, M. and Perl, A. (2009) Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystem, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press.
Howlett, M., Wu, X. and Ramesh, M. (eds) (2017) Policy Capacity and Governance: Assessing Governmental Competences and Capabilities in Theory and Practice Basingstoke: Palgrave.
John, P. (2000) Analysing Public Policy, London, Pinter.
Jones, B.D. and Baumgartner, F.R. (2005) The Politics of Attention Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Jones, B.D. and Baumgartner, F.R. (2005) The Politics of Attention, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Moran, M., Rein, M. and Goodin, R.A. (2008) The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy, Oxford University Press.
Parsons, W. (1995) Public Policy, London: Edward Elgar.
Richards, D. and Smith, M. (2002) Governance and Public Policy in the UK, Oxford.
Stone, D. (2001) Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision-Making, W.W. Norton and Co.
Weible, C.M. and Sabatier, P.A. (eds) (20072017) Theories of The Policy Process, Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Zahariadis, N. (ed) (2016) Handbook of Public Policy Agenda-Setting Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Journals: Comparative Politics; Environmental Politics; Environmental Values; European Journal of Public Policy; Governance; Health, Risk and Society; Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management; Journal of European Public Policy; Journal of Policy Analysis and Management; Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (J-PART); Journal of Public Policy; Policy and Politics; Policy Sciences; Policy Studies; Policy Studies Journal; Public Administration; Public Administration Review; Public Policy and Administration; Review of Policy Research; Risk Analysis; Risk and Regulation; Risk, Decision and Policy; Science and Public Policy
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 23/01/2018 |
| Last revision date | 28/08/2019 |