Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL1044: Introduction to Public Policy

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

Using contemporary examples of policy problems and research led teaching, the module aims to explore 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? Throughout the course links to employability – such as careers in the Civil Service – will be discussed and further information flagged.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. 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
Discipline-Specific Skills3. 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
Personal and Key Skills5. Communicate effectively in oral and written work and in independent study and group work including the presentation of material for a non-assessed group discussion
6. Use on-line interactive material to apply key concepts to the empirical world

Module Content

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:

 

  1. An Introduction to Public Policy
  2. Who are the Policy Actors?
  3. Citizen Attention and Issue Framing
  4. Government Attention
  5. Decision Making Models
  6. How do Institutions Matter?
  7. Policy in Space
  8. Policy in Time
  9. Policy Implementation
  10. Policy Evaluation
  11. Module Review

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
27.5122.50

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities16.511 x 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities1111 x 1 hour tutorial. Tutorials are based on lecture topics. Every student will be expected to present a formative assessment during the semester.
Guided Independent Study5.5Preparation for formative seminar presentation
Guided independent study40Preparation and writing of essay
Guided independent study37Preparation and revision for examination
Guided Independent Study40Reading for Tutorials

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Group Tutorial Presentation15 minutes3,5,6Verbal

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay502,000 words1-6Written
Examination501 hour1-6Written

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (2000 words)1-6August/September reassessment period
ExaminationExam (1 hour)1-6August/September reassessment period