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SP50332: International development policy analysis and evaluation

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Critical Review (CW 40%)
  • Essay (CW 60%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module you must take SP50325
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a theoretically informed understanding of policy, policy-making and its evaluation, with particular reference to policy practice in the field of international development. Policy here refers (a) to the public policies and practices of governments and multilateral international organisations, and (b) to the policies and practices of non-government organisations, particularly as they relate to their involvement in and influence over policies most relevant to international development.

Learning Outcomes:
Learning outcomes for this unit are:
* A theoretically informed understanding of policy, public policy and policy-making, particularly as they relate to the field of international development.
* A critical awareness of the range of institutions and actors that shape policy-making, implementation and outcomes in the field of international development.
* Knowledge and critical understanding of different techniques and methodologies associated with analysis and evaluation of international development policy through local to global levels.
* Critical awareness of the range of public policy choices in different arenas, and understanding of the choices and conflicts these embody.
* Critical understanding of the range and quality of evidence brought to bear on public policy, and of its strengths and limitations from different perspectives.

Skills:
Students successfully taking this unit will have developed critical policy analysis skills including the ability to analyse and evaluate policy making processes and outcomes in a range of international settings, including:
* Intellectual - an ability to identify and reflect critically on policy and policy-making;
* Professional - an ability to engage effectively with others in public policy processes in the fields of international development;
* Practical - an ability to contribute to effective international development policy making through selection, synthesis and use of appropriate frameworks, theories, models, evidence, techniques and tools of policy formulation, analysis and evaluation;
* Personal: enhanced self-awareness, confidence and capacity to play an effective role in policy-making processes.

Content:
1. What is policy and who makes it?
2. Political economy and other theories of policy process, including public choice and collective action theory.
3. The institutional landscape and global geography of international development policy-making from local to global levels.
4. Understanding policy-making processes: critical governance, epistemic communities, ideologies, ideas and interest groups.
5. Policy research, evaluation, impact assessment and evidence generation for policy engagement and use: strengths and limitations of alternative approaches.
6. Policy arenas, silos, coordination strategies and coherence: including the interface between international development and national defence, economic, foreign and social policy.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP50332 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THSP-AFM19 : MSc International Development
  • THSP-AWM19 : MSc International Development
  • THSP-APM19 : MSc International Development
  • THSP-AFM22 : MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
  • THSP-AWM22 : MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
  • THSP-APM22 : MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
  • THSP-AFM20 : MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
  • THSP-AWM20 : MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
  • THSP-APM20 : MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
  • THSP-AFM21 : MSc International Development with Economics
  • THSP-AWM21 : MSc International Development with Economics
  • THSP-APM21 : MSc International Development with Economics

Notes: