Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2102: Explaining Public Policies

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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 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 Skills	1. demonstrate understanding of the nature and evolution of core concepts regarding public policy; 2. analyse policy problems through key conceptual lenses.
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. 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 Skills	5. demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills (via PowerPoint presentations, course work and assessed essays and exam answer); 6. successfully use IT for the retrieval and presentation of information.

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	300 words	1-6	Verbal, one-to-one

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
45	45	10

...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	45	2,000 words	1-6	Written
Examination	45	1 hour	1-6	Written
Group Tutorial Presentation	10	15 minutes	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 (2,000 words)	1-6	August/September reassessment period
Examination	Exam (1 hour)	1-6	August/September reassessment period
Group Tutorial Presentation	Individual or group presentation with tutor (15 minutes)	1-6	Throughout the semester

Re-assessment notes

For the group tutorial presentation, reassessment can be offered during the semester if appropriate and available.