GV478E Half Unit
Political Science and Public Policy
This information is for the 2014/15 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Simon Hix CON3.07 and Dr Andrew Eggers CON5.08
Availability
This course is compulsory on the Executive MPA. This course is not available as an outside option.
Pre-requisites
There are no pre-requisites, but recommended advance reading is given below.
Course content
This course introduces a range of theoretical and empirical tools to analyse the politics of public policymaking. The main focus is on political institutions in modern democracies and how they relate to public policy. This includes topics such as elections, representation, bureaucracy, delegation, accountability, interest groups, legislatures, executives and decentralisation.
Teaching
A one-week modular teaching block.
Formative coursework
One mock examination will be provided.
Indicative reading
Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior and Instititutions by Kenneth Shepsle (W.W. Norton, 2nd edition, 2010) is an excellent starting point and reference for many topics. A full reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
Assessment
Essay (50%, 2000 words) and online assessment (50%).
Please note that online examinations take place on the third Friday after the module teaching concludes. Assessed essays are due on the sixth Friday after module teaching concludes. Further details will be provided at the Executive MPA programme induction.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2013/14: Unavailable
Average class size 2013/14: Unavailable
Controlled access 2013/14: No
Lecture capture used 2013/14: Yes (LT)
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Communication
