Module POL1044 for 2020/1
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL1044: Introduction to Public Policy
This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.
Module Aims
Using contemporary examples of policy problems and research led teaching, the module explores 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? Why do countries copy each other in their policy responses? Once a public policy is made can it ever be reversed or terminated? Throughout the course links to employability and specifically how policy concepts can help us make policy in practice will be discussed.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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 Skills | 3. 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 Skills | 5. Communicate effectively in oral and written work and in independent study and group work 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. What is Public Policy?
2. Who are the Policy Actors? Policy Networks, Epistemic Communities and Policy Entrepreneurs
3. What Makes an Issue a Policy Problem? Problem Definition and Agenda-Setting
4. What Can Governments Do? Policy Formulation Instruments
5. Decision Making Models
6. How do Institutions Matter for Policy?
7. Policy Implementation
8. Policy Evaluation
9. Policy in Space: Policy Transfer and Diffusion Across Countries
10. Policy in Time: Policy Zombies and Termination
11. Module Review and Exam Revision Session
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 | 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 | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | 11 x 1 hour tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 5.5 | Preparation for formative essay plan |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Preparation and writing of essay |
| Guided independent study | 37 | Preparation and revision for examination |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Reading 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 assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Plan | 250 words | 1-6 | Verbal |
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.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written |
| Examination | 50 | 1 hour | 1-6 | Written |
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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Examination | Examination (1 hour) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
