Module POLM015M for 2020/1
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM015M: Behavioural Public Policy and Administration
This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover the following topics:
- What is Behavioural Public Policy?
- Bounded Rationality; The Automatic and the Reflective System
- Key Insights and Heuristics from Behavioural Economics
- Applications of ‘Nudge’ in public policy
- The politics of Libertarian Paternalism
- Ethical issues in behavioural public policy
- Combining policy tools: How Regulation and Nudge can be complementary
- Insights from psychology and behavioural economics for Public Administrators
Throughout the module we discuss a variety of policy applications including areas such as Health & Lifestyle; Environmental Behaviours; Payment of taxes; Savings and financial behaviour, linking these to the underlying theory from behavioural economics and social psychology and reviewing evidence of their effectiveness.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 182 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | 5 x 1 hr lectures (1 introductory lecture in week 1, 4 lectures in week 2) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10 | 5 x 2 hr seminars (1 seminar in week 1, 4 in week 2) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 3 | 1 x 3 hr guest presentation/ seminar discussion |
| Guided independent study | 92 | Reading and seminar preparation, including formative reading, reflecting and formative assessment tasks |
| Guided independent study | 45 | Preparation for policy briefing |
| Guided Independent Study | 45 | Preparation for essay |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
The module will be supported by ELE materials, including links to core texts, podcasts and lectures.
