Introductory description

What is a “public policy”? This is a complex concept with many ways of defining it. Overall, public policies are what institutions DO, often in partnership with private actors, in order to face collective problems, such as unemployment, health, poverty, migration and so on. Public policy investigates several questions: Why some problems comes to the fore while others not? How do actors interact in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies? Why it is so hard to change a long-term established policy, even though it is not working? Why do public policies change at a certain point? And what are the key challenges for public policies in the 21st century and the current troubling times? These are just some of the questions which our course explores. The course will provide students with a strong grounding in public policy by examining the relevant literature and the most contemporary debates which will be analysed through concrete real-life examples, as opposed to a purely theoretical engagement.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: Introduction to Public Policy
Week 2: The Policy Cycle and its Critiques
Week 3: Actors in the Policymaking Process
Week 4: Individual and Group Interests
Week 5: Institutions and Public Policy
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Ideas and Public Policy
Week 8: Theories of the Policy Process and Change
Week 9: Policy Implementation and Failure: Crisis and Wicked Problems
Week 10: Policy Learning, Diffusion and Transfer
Week 11: The Challenge of Inequality
Week 12: The Challenge of Globalization
Week 13: The Challenge of Population Ageing
Week 14: The Environmental Challenge
Week 15: Policy Responses to Inequality
Week 16: Reading Week
Week 17: Policy Responses to Globalization
Week 18: Policy Responses to Population Ageing
Week 19: Environmental Policy Responses
Week 20: Module Conclusion: Taking Stock of Public Policymaking

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of different theoretical and conceptual approaches to public policymaking
• Understand how interests, institutions and ideas influence and constrain public policymaking
• Comprehend and critically assess different interpretations of the policymaking process
• Show an awareness of the key actors, institutions and organisations involved in public policymaking
• Show an appreciation of comparative approaches to public policymaking
• Critically assess the key political challenges to public policymaking
• Show an awareness of the major policy debates with regard to the four policy challenges covered in this module
• Critically analyse policy response to these challenges and develop solutions

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate an understanding of the key stages of the policymaking process and the various political factors that shape policy development and implementation
Interpret and assess current policy challenges facing developed and developing countries
Develop robust and feasible policy solutions for government and NGOs

Transferable skills

Communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills
Lateral thinking skills
Skills in the distillation and application of complex information and ideas
Critical thinking
Analytical skills
Independent research skills
Problem solving
Time management
Information Technology
Skills in academic practice
Awareness of, and sensitivity to, diversity
Decision making