MAKING PUBLIC POLICY: THEORY AND PRACTICE - 2020/1
Module code: POL2047
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information, the University has had to change the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes, together with certain University services and facilities for the academic year 2020/21.
These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach during 2020/21. Detailed information on all changes is available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/coronavirus/course-changes. This webpage sets out information relating to general University changes, and will also direct you to consider additional specific information relating to your chosen programme.
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Module Overview
This module will introduce students to the main debates and methods associated with policy analysis. It covers key traditional theoretical concepts used in public policy analysis such as pluralism, elitism as well as more contemporary approaches and developments such as evidence based policy making.
Module provider
Politics
Module Leader
EXADAKTYLOS Theofanis (Politics)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
JACs code: M210
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
The module introduces students to some of the key debates and concepts associated with the analysis of public policy.
The course is structured around the following themes:
1. Introduction
2. Key concepts in policy analysis
3. The policy process: theoretical underpinnings 1
4. The policy process: theoretical underpinnings 2
5. The development of the policy network approach
6. Policy formulation and policy implementation
7. The policy cycle and research practice: what influences policy making?
8. Methodologies for policy evaluation
9. Sources of evidence 1: media and policy documents
10. Sources of evidence 2: introduction to Impact assessment
11. Drafting policy recommendations
Weekly lectures will cover the topics listed above. Each topic will also be the focus of one of the fortnightly seminars. The seminars will provide an opportunity for students to analyse, in considerable detail, policy document produced by: government departments; political parties; think tanks; and non-governmental organisations.
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | PLAN FOR PROJECT (1,500 WORDS) | 30 |
Coursework | POLICY ANALYSIS - FINAL PROJECT (3,000 WORDS) | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
- An understanding of traditional and/or contemporary theories of public policy
- The ability to use these theories to analyse contemporary public policy making
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Plan for Project (1,500 words)
- Final Project (3,000 words)
Formative assessment and feedback
Verbal feedback will be given from module leader and peers during seminar discussions and activities around the research plan/projects as well as brief written feedback on planned research questions in the module discussion forum on Surrey Learn.
Module aims
- Develop students’ understanding of some of the main concepts and key debates
- Introduce students to some of the main methodologies to analyse public policies
- Consolidate students’ ability to apply theoretical models to real-life examples, through
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
---|---|---|
001 | Discuss some of the main concepts and key debates associated with the analysis of | KC |
002 | Apply different methodologies to the analysis of public policies | KCPT |
003 | Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of | KCPT |
004 | Employ relevant research skills to investigate a policy-related area. | KCPT |
005 | Access relevant policy-related datasets and be able to retrieve data from them. | KCPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Overall student workload
Independent Study Hours: 128
Seminar Hours: 22
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Introduce students to some of the key concepts in public policy analysis and to enable them to discuss these theories with contemporary case studies of policy areas in preparation for carrying out their own independent research on a piece of public policy.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- 11 x 2 hour workshops (including a mixture of lectures and seminar discussions) plus independent study, guided discussions on the VLE and preparation of own individual research projects.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: POL2047
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
International Relations BSc (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Politics BSc (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Public Affairs MPA | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.