This course provides an in-depth understanding of how public policy is made. It reflects on the ways that analysts have explained how public policy problems come to be identified, how solutions are sought, how evidence is used and, using real world examples, considers how these models relate to the fast-paced, practical world of contemporary public policy implementation.

The course will be delivered over 9 weeks, with a lecture @1 hour, and a small group seminar @ 2 hours a week.

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Assessment:

There are 2 assessments:

1) Critical policy analysis report (40%) (max 1500 words) This piece of work asks students to critique a Government policy document (or an equivalent produced by a think tank for instance), to exercise skills in applying theoretical concepts to a practical case of identifying potential policy solutions.

2) Essay (60%) (max 2,500 words).

This assessment aims to allow students to apply theoretical ideas to policy examples of their choice.

This course aims to introduce different ways of thinking about what policy is and how it is formulated: the actors, institutions, ideologies, evidence, opinion and other factors that influence policy-making and policy outcomes. It explores different theories of the policy making process and how these relate to contemporary debates and practical challenges facing policy-makers.  It considers what is meant by policy 'success' and how this can be delivered and evaluated, raising important, contested issues about the complexity of public policy and the broad range of actors affected to question 'success for whom'? It aims to explore how the changing macroeconomic environment presents particular challenges for public policy making.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ describe and critically evaluate different academic theories and models of the policy making process and how these are applied in practice

■ explain the role of power in the policy process and assess practical ways it can be exercised . 

■ understand and account for alternative conceptions of success in policy outcome.

■ reflect on the particular challenges of policy making at a global scale.

■ demonstrate competence in critical thinking about policy making.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.