GV923-7-AU-CO:
Foundations of Public Policy
2022/23
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 06 October 2022
Friday 16 December 2022
15
23 April 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MPP L43012 The Essex MPP,
MPP L43024 The Essex MPP,
MPP L430JS The Essex MPP,
MA L14312 Economics with Public Policy
This module introduces students to key concepts and theoretical approaches to studying and analysing public policy as well as applying these concepts and approaches to real-world public policy areas.
This includes the economic, theoretical and normative foundations for public policies, theories of the public policy process and the actors and institutions involved in this process as well as approaches to studying the politics and political dilemmas regarding public policy.
The students will also be introduced and apply these concepts to real-world policy areas including education, pollution and taxation.
The module will enable the students to apply key theoretical concepts and theoretical approaches to studying real-world policy areas and policy processes in modern developed democracies.
The aims of the module are:
1. To provide the students with the theoretical background for the role public policy plays and can play in modern societies.
2. To provide the students with an overview of the key concepts and key actors involved in the formulation, making and implementation of public policy
3. To introduce the students to theories and theoretical approaches to studying the public policy process and the politics of the public policy process.
D. To introduce the students to key policy areas.
By following this module, students will gain the following skills:
1. A comprehensive understanding of economic and normative foundations for public policy.
2. A detailed knowledge of the actors and institutions involved in the public policy process.
3. Ability to understand and critically analyze public policy processes.
4. Knowledge of central policy areas and the ability to apply key concepts and theoretical approaches to these areas.
Week 1: Introduction and (potential) normative foundations
Bueno De Mesquita (2016) chapters 1-3
Week 2: Collective action and public goods
Bueno De Mesquita (2016) chapters 4-6
Week 3: The policy process: Formulation
Araral et al. (2015) chapters 10, 13, 14, 17.
Week 4: The policy process: Decision-making
Araral et al. (2015) chapters 21-24
Week 5: The Policy process: Implementation and evaluation
Araral et al. (2015) chapters 25, 29, 30.
Week 6: The politics of the public policy process
Bueno De Mesquita (2016) chapters 10-11.
Week 7: Policy area: Education
Ansell (2011); OECD (2018).
Week 8: Policy area: Health
Moran (2006)
Week 9: Policy area: Pollution
Knill (2006)
Week 10: Policy area: Taxation
Alt (1983); Peters (2006); Mirlees (2011).
This module will be taught in a weekly 2-hour seminar.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Mid-term exercise |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Independent essay |
|
70% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Module leader: TBC
Please contact govpgquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Patrick Bayer
University of Glasgow
Lecturer in International Relations
Dr Adrian Florea
University of Glasgow
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
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