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 Academic Year: | 2017/8 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Social & Policy Sciences |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Intermediate (FHEQ level 5) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | ES 20%, EX 80% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | Before taking this module you must take SP10001 AND take SP10002 |
| Description:
| Aims: This course aims to provide an introduction to: * theoretical perspectives on governance; * theoretical perspectives on the mechanics, dynamics and communication of policy; * 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, operational and communicative aspects of governance * the governance of policy systems involving actors, institutions, networks, communications, processes, resources and constraints. * the classical concept of policy as a process involving interrelated stages * the major meso-theoretical perspectives in understanding policy formulation, decision making, communication 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: Communicative Networks in policy making Lecture 7: Institutions Lecture 8: The Formal Dimensions of Governance: Communicative action, Agenda Setting, Policy Formulation and Decision-Making Lecture 9: The Operational dimensions of Governance: Mechanics and Dynamics of Policy Implementation and Delivery Lecture 10: Policy planning, think tanks and communicative contest 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. & Loowe, S. (2004 and subsequent editions) Understanding 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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Notes:
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