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Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


SP20005: Power and policy: an introduction to critical policy analysis

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
Academically, the unit aims to provide a critical introduction to
* the theoretical understanding of the policy process with special emphasis given to social policy
* the techniques and practice of policy analysis
Pedagogically, the unit aims to
* enhance the development of the students' interpersonal skills
* develop skills relating to policy investigation and analysis.
* provide the student with opportunities for collaborative learning.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit, students should be able to understand and critically discuss:
* the conceptualisation of policy as a process involving interrelated stages
* the major macro-theoretical paradigms informing policy analysis
* the relationship between policy process and different types of power
* the determinants of policy making: actors, institutions, processes, resources and constrains
* the major meso-theoretical perspectives on policy formulation, decision making and policy implementation
* the types of policy evaluation and the techniques of policy analysis
* the role of the policy analyst in the policy process.

Skills:
Intellectual skills
* to think creatively and analytically.
* to communicate an argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* 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.
Professional and practical skills
* To effectively and efficiently apply principles of sociological/social policy analysis within a variety of environments.
* To develop sensitivity to the values and interests of others
Transferable/Key skills
* 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 construct a bibliography of varying complexity
* To develop time-management and administrative skills
* To develop presentation skills and verbal communication (i.e. oral presentations, seminar and tutorial contributions)
* 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 understand career opportunities and challenges ahead and begin to plan a career path

Content:
Each lecture covers a topic, including:
* Introduce theories of institutional continuity and change
* The changing role of the state
* The analytical value of the concept of governance
* Introduction: conceptualising policy as a process
* Conceptualising politics, Power and the State
* Theories of power/State and critiques of State intervention
* Actors, institutions, constraints and policy instruments
* Agenda setting and policy determinants
* Policy Formulation and policy subsystems
* Models of Policy Decision-Making
* Policy Implementation: theory and reality
* Policy evaluation - the art and craft of policy analysis
* Conclusion: the political role of the policy analyst
In addition specific case studies will be introduced within the unit.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

SP20005 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2

SP20005 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA (hons) French and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA (hons) German and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA (hons) Russian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB11 : BA (hons) Russian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA (hons) Spanish and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
Department of Psychology
  • UHPS-AKB03 : BSc (hons) Psychology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc (hons) Applied Social Studies (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.