Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL1044: Introduction to Public Policy

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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.

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;
6. use on-line interactive material to apply key policy concepts to the empirical world.

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:

Baumgartner, F.R. and Jones, B.D. (1993) Agendas and Instability in American Politics, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Birkland, T.A. (2005) An Introduction to the Policy Process, 2nd edn, M.E. Sharpe.

Brik, A.B. and Pal, L.A. (2021) The Future of the Policy Sciences Cheltenham: Edward Elgar

Buonanno, L. and N. Zahariadis (eds) (2017) The Routledge Handbook of European Public Policy London: Taylor & Francis

Cairney, P. (2020) Theories of Public Policy 2nd edn Palgrave.

Dorey, P. (2014) Policy Making in Britain, Sage.

Dunn, W. (2007) Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, 2nd edn, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Fischer, F. (2003) Reframing Public Policy, Oxford University Press.

Hill, M. (ed) (2009) The Policy Process: A Reader, 5th edn, London: Longman.

Hill, M. and Hupe, P. (2009) Implementing Public Policy, 2nd edn, Sage.

Hogwood, B.W. and Gunn, L. (1984) Policy Analysis for the Real World, Oxford University Press.

Howlett, M. et al (2012) Routledge Handbook of Public Policy, Routledge.

Howlett, M., Ramesh, M. and Perl, A. (2009) Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystem, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press.

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

John, P. (2000) Analysing Public Policy, London, Pinter.

Jones, B.D. and Baumgartner, F.R. (2005) The Politics of Attention Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Knill, C. and Tosun, J. (2020) Public Policy: A New Introduction 2nd edn Palgrave

Moran, M., Rein, M. and Goodin, R.A. (2008) The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy, Oxford University Press.

Parsons, W. (1995) Public Policy, London: Edward Elgar.

Richards, D. and Smith, M. (2002) Governance and Public Policy in the UK, Oxford.

Stone, D. (2012) Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision-Making, 3rd edn W.W. Norton and Co.

Weible, C.M. and Sabatier, P.A. (eds) (2007/2017) Theories of The Policy Process, Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Zahariadis, N. (ed) (2016) Handbook of Public Policy Agenda-Setting Cheltenham: 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