|
 Academic Year:
| 2013/4 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department of Social & Policy Sciences |
| Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate (FHEQ level 5) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| CW 20%, EX 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | SP20005 Coursework - Re-assessment only (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: This course aims to provide an introduction to * theoretical perspectives on governance; * theoretical perspectives on the mechanics and dynamics of the policy process; * the principles and practice of critical policy analysis. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students should be able to understand and critically discuss: * theories of the state and how they relate to different political ideologies the relationship between policy making and governance; * the formal and operational aspects of governance; * the governance of policy systems involving actors, institutions, networks, processes, resources and constrains; * the classical concept of policy as a process involving interrelated stages and the major meso-theoretical perspectives in understanding policy formulation, decision making and policy implementation; * the principles of critical policy analysis. Skills: * To think creatively and analytically; * To communicate an argument; * To evaluate others' arguments and research; * To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying); * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information; * To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.); * To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge; * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding; * To utilise problem solving skills; * To analyse and evaluate innovative practices in students' relevant degree discipline; * To effectively and efficiently apply principles of sociological/social policy analysis within a variety of environments; * To develop study & learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing); * To develop basic information and computing technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information); * To develop inter-personal and communication skills; * To develop essay research, preparation and writing skills; * To be able to construct a bibliography of varying complexity; * To develop time-management and administrative skills; * To develop team and group working skills; * To reflect upon his/her own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development; * To solve problems in a variety of situations; * To manage time effectively and respond to changing demands; * To prioritise workloads, and utilise long- and short-term planning skills. Content: Lecture programme Lecture 1 Introduction - What is Policy? Lecture 2 Critical Policy analysis: What, How and Why? Lecture 3 Political ideologies Lecture 4 Theories of the state Lecture 5 Governance (guest visit from Mr. Jon Poole, BANES Council to give local government perspective) Lecture 6 Policy Networks Lecture 7 Institutions Lecture 8 The Formal Dimensions of Governance: Agenda Setting, Policy Formulation and Decision-Making Lecture 9 The Operational dimensions of Governance: Mechanics and Dynamics of Policy Implementation and Delivery Lecture 10 Evaluation and Research Evidence in Policy Lecture 11 Exam Revision Specific reading per lecture will be provided by the lecturer The main textbooks recommended for this course are: * Simon C. (2010), Public Policy Preferences and Outcomes, London: Longman * Considine, M (2005) Making public policy: institutions, actors, strategies, Cambridge: Polity * Bochel, C. and Bochel H.M. (2004) The UK Social Policy Process , Palgrave, * Hudson, J. & Lowe, S. (2004 and subsequent editions) Understtanding the Policy Process, Bristol: Policy Press * Hill, M. (2012), The Public Policy Process New York: Pearson * Sabatier Paul A. (ed.) (2007) Theories of the policy process, Cambridge, Mass.: Westview. |
| Programme availability: |
SP20005 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
SP20005 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
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