Policy Making and Policy Analysis (962N1)
Policy Making and Policy Analysis
Module 962N1
Module details for 2023/24.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
In this module, you will learn a practical approach to analysing policy problems and to proposing and evaluating policy solutions. You will develop the concepts and tools to understand the causes of policy problems, to assess the rationales for public policy intervention, to identify relevant goals and evaluation criteria, to identify alternative policy options, to assess the likely impact of those options on the proposed goals, and to provide and communicate practical policy recommendations to a public sector client. You will do this by completing a real-word assignment: a policy analysis of a client's problem and a write-up of your recommended course of action.
You will gain familiarity with relevant concepts from welfare economics, behavioural economics and public choice theory and you will use these ideas to explain individual and collective decision-making and to assess the consequences of those decisions for individual and collective welfare. You will also employ concepts from political science to assess the feasibility of policy adoption, and the practical challenges of policy implementation.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts of welfare economics and public choice theory, including the rationales for and limitations of policy intervention.
Apply the concepts of market, ‘behavioural’ and government failure to explain the causes of policy problems.
Define and critically analyse policy problems, articulate decision-making criteria, propose and evaluate alternative policy solutions, and assess the feasibility of adopting and implementing those solutions.
Demonstrate skills in analytical thinking, information gathering and writing for a stakeholder audience.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Report (2750 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 2 Wed 16:00 | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Equal weighting for all components. | ||
| Test | T1 Week 7 (1 hour) | |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Steven Sorrell
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/2497
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