Module POL2102 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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.
| 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.
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:
Cairney, P.A. (2020) Understanding Public Policy 2nd edn Palgrave
Dunlop, C.A., Radaelli, C.M. and Trein, J.P. (2018) (eds) Learning in Public Policy: Analysis, Modes and Outcomes, Palgrave
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 Cairney, P.C. (2021) Practical Insights from Policy Theories Bristol: Policy Press.
Weible, C.M. and Sabatier, P.A. (eds) (2018) Theories of The Policy Process, 4th edn 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
