Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC1014: The Public Policy Process

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Overview

NQF Level 4
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 2 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr David Benson (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

The public policy process is a critical component of everyday politics and an important focus of political science. Understanding how public policy is initiated, formulated, adopted and implemented remains central to explaining the broader exercise of political power – in other words ‘who gets what, when, how’ (Lasswell 1936). The module therefore provides an introduction to public policy making by defining key concepts, outlining major theoretical arguments and discussing the entire policy cycle, from agenda-setting to final implementation and policy succession. Illustrative examples of policy processes will be drawn from the UK and elsewhere.

No prior knowledge skills or experience are required to take this module and it is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students. The module is suitable for students on interdisciplinary pathways.

Module created

11/03/2013

Last revised

14/07/2014