Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2102: Explaining Public Policies

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

Module Aims

The module helps you understand and explain why policies take the form they do. After the introductory lecture, the module is taught in five 2-week cycles; a theoretical framework will be introduced in the first week and then applied to an empirical setting in the second week through research-led teaching. The tutorials will mirror these lectures and will include student presentations based on the corresponding topics. In addition to encouraging students to think like policymakers, the module will continually provide links to employability and future career pathways such as the Civil Service, lobbying and policy advisor roles.

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. demonstrate understanding of the nature and evolution of core concepts regarding public policy
2. analyse policy problems through key conceptual lenses
Discipline-Specific Skills3. critically assess the utility of different public policy-oriented theories and methods deployed in policy analysis
4. apply key theoretical tenants to concrete, empirical examples
Personal and Key Skills5. demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills (via PowerPoint presentations, course work and assessed essays)
6. successfully use IT for the retrieval and presentation of information

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Indicative Reading List:

Dunlop, C.A., Radaelli, C.M. and Trein, J.P. (2018) (eds) Learning in Public Policy: Analysis, Modes and Outcomes,Palgrave

Freeman, R.B. and Sturdy, S. (eds) (2014) Knowledge in Policy: Embodied, Inscribed, Enacted Bristol: Policy Press.

George, A.L. and Bennett, A. (2004) Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences London: MIT Press.

Howlett, M., Wu, X. and Ramesh, M. (2017) (eds) Policy Capacity and Governance: Assessing Governmental Competences and Capabilities in Theory and Practice Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Jenkins-Smith, H.C. (1990) Democratic Politics and Policy Analysis. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Jones, B.D. (2001) Politics and the Architecture of Choice. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Jones, M.D., McBeth, M.K. and Shanahan, E.A. (2014) (eds) The Science of Stories: Applications of the Narrative Policy Framework in Public Policy Analysis Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Lindblom, C.E. (1965) The Intelligence of Democracy New York, NY: The Free Press.

Parsons, W. (1995) Public Policy: An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Pierson, P. (2004) Politics in Time Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Schattschneider, E.E. (1960) The Semi-Sovereign People New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston

Schneider, A. L. and Ingram, H.M. (1997) Policy Design for Democracy Lawrence, KA: University Press of Kansas

Weible, C.M. and Sabatier, P.A. (eds) (2017) Theories of The Policy Process, 4th Ed Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Yanow, D. (1996) How Does A Policy Mean? Georgetown University Press.

Zahariadis, N. (2016) Handbook of Public Policy Agenda Setting. Edward Elgar.

 

Journals: Comparative Politics; Environmental Politics; Environmental Values; European Journal of Public Policy; Governance; Health, Risk and Society; Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management; Journal of European Public Policy; Journal of Policy Analysis and Management; Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (J-PART); Journal of Public Policy; Policy and Politics; Policy Sciences; Policy Studies; Policy Studies Journal; Public Administration; Public Administration Review; Public Policy and Administration; Review of Policy Research; Risk Analysis; Risk and Regulation; Risk, Decision and Policy; Science and Public Policy