Introduction to Public Policy

Module title	Introduction to Public Policy
Module code	POL1044
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Miss Rebecca Baker (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	160

Module description

In this module you will 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 crucial debates that dominate public policy discussion. 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 they are strongly encouraged to take the Level 2 module ‘Explaining Public Policies’ that builds upon these introductory foundations.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Using contemporary examples of policy problems and research led teaching, the module explores 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? Why do countries copy each other in their policy responses? Once a public policy is made can it ever be reversed or terminated? Throughout the course links to employability and specifically how policy concepts can help us make policy in practice will be discussed.

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;
6. use on-line interactive material to apply key policy 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:

What is Public Policy?
Who are the Policy Actors? Policy Networks, Epistemic Communities and Policy Entrepreneurs
What Makes an Issue a Policy Problem? Problem Definition and Agenda-Setting
What Can Governments Do? Policy Formulation Instruments
Decision Making Models
How do Institutions Matter for Policy?
Policy Implementation
Policy Evaluation
Policy in Space: Policy Transfer and Diffusion Across Countries
Policy in Time: Policy Termination and Dismantling
Module Review and Exam Revision Session

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5	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	10	10 x 1 hour tutorials
Guided Independent Study	5.5	Preparation for formative essay plan
Guided independent study	40	Preparation and writing of essay
Guided independent study	38	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
Essay Plan	250 words	1-6	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	Examination (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.

Brik, A.B. and Pal, L.A. (2021) The Future of the Policy Sciences Cheltenham: Edward Elgar

Buonanno, L. and N. Zahariadis (eds) (2017) The Routledge Handbook of European Public Policy London: Taylor & Francis

Cairney, P. (2020) Theories of Public Policy 2^nd edn 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.

Knill, C. and Tosun, J. (2020) Public Policy: A New Introduction 2^nd edn Palgrave

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. (2012) Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision-Making, 3^rd edn W.W. Norton and Co.

Weible, C.M. and Sabatier, P.A. (eds) (2007/2017) 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

Key words search

Public Policy – Theories of the Policy Process – Case Studies

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	02/07/2021