Public Policy Process
Module title | Public Policy Process |
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Module code | POLM887 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Professor Oliver James (Lecturer) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
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Module description
The module provides skills and knowledge in a social science approach to public policy analysis, grounded in political science but extending to include concepts from economics of efficiency and equity along with behavioural and psychological based concepts. Topics include the ‘public’ aspect of the policy process (focusing on public ownership, funding and regulation), the policy cycle approach (development, formulation, implementation and analysis/evaluation). Key concepts are introduced including theory of markets, failures, externalities and public goods. Students gain an overview of policy analysis methods including use of qualitative and quantitative evidence, basic cost benefit analysis, and experimental methods for policy analysis. Students learn and critically analyse the methods for public policy analysis and carry out tasks to develop skills for conducting analysis applicable to a range of topic areas and organisations.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to:
Develop skills and knowledge that are important for policy making relevant both to public organisations and private organisations in sectors where public policy is important.
Develop skills and knowledge about the policy process, policy development, implementation, analysis and evaluation
Develop skills and knowledge about the role of evidence, values and analysis in public policy and become familiar with ways to avoid common biases and mistakes in public policy.
Reflect on the way that politics influences public policy for better or worse and consider implications for policy performance to facilitate the analysis of patterns of success and failure.
To use skills and knowledge for students to be more effective policy makers and policy analysts, or to undertake policy research in their future study and careers.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate comprehensive skills and knowledge about policy process, policy development, implementation, analysis and evaluation relevant to different policy sectors and governance scales;
- 2. Evaluate critically current practice of public policy at all its stages;
- 3. Identify examples of good practice in public policy that can be used more widely;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Appraise and critically evaluate public policy as contained in government reports and public policy;
- 5. Synthesise and comment critically on a corpus of academic public policy literature;
- 6. Systematically link public policy theories and methods to real world examples;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Intensively study in an independent and directed manner over in short time scales to produce work of a consistent high-quality standard;
- 8. Communicate complex ideas and evidence developed during learning in seminars, workshop activities and supported study;
- 9. Reflect on the process of learning and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and plan for future study and careers.
Syllabus plan
Drawing on research on public policy, the module sets out theoretical foundations, develops skills and knowledge. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary slightly from year to year, the syllabus will cover the majority of the following:
Defining public policy and its importance
Policy agendas, framing and stages of the policy process
Policy development and design
Policy implementation
Policy analysis and evaluation
Policy outcomes and feedback
Ethics and values in public policy
Economic analysis of public policy including concepts of efficiency and cost benefit analysis.
Evidence in public policy and meta analysis of evidence
Heuristics, biases and overcoming biases in public policy
Experimental methods to evaluate public policy outcomes
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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22 | 278 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 118 | Private study reading and preparing for the module seminars and report writing |
Guided Independent Study | 160 | Preparation of a 3500 word policy report |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Policy report outline | 500 words | 1-8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Reflective learning log | 20 | 1500 words | 1-9 | Written |
Policy Report | 80 | 3500 words | 1-8 | Written |
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 |
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Reflective learning log | Reflective learning log | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Policy Report | Policy Report | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Boaz, A., & Davies, H., Fraser A, Nutley, S. (Eds.). (2019). What works now?: evidence-informed policy and practice. Policy Press.
- Cairney, P, (2019) Understanding Public Policy: Theories and Issues, 2nd Edition. Palgrave MacMillan
- Howlett, M. and Tosun, J. (2019) Policy styles and policy-making: exploring the linkages. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
- Dunlop, C (ed) (2019) Policy Learning and Policy Failure. Bristol, Policy Press
- James, O, Jilke, S. and Van Ryzin, GG. (eds) 2017. Experiments in Public Management Research: Challenges and Contributions, Cambridge University Press.
- Knill, C. and Tosun, J. 2020 Public Policy: A new introduction. 2nd edition Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan.
- James, O., Moynihan, D., Olsen, A., Van Ryzin, G.G. (2020) Behavioural Public Performance, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Smith P.C et al (2000) What Works? Evidence Based Policy and Practice in Public Services, Bristol, Policy Press.
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | none |
Module co-requisites | none |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 17/12/2021 |
Last revision date | 02/02/2022 |