GV263 One Unit
Public Policy Analysis
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Edward Page
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Social Anthropology, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in History and Politics, BSc in International Social and Public Policy with Politics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Politics and Philosophy, BSc in Social Anthropology, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Requisites
Pre-requisites:
Students must have completed GV101 before taking this course.
Course content
A systematic examination of the policy process in the context of developed nations. This course introduces key theories and models in the study of public policy and encourages a critical appreciation of the main trends in contemporary public policy-making. The course looks at the different stages of the 'policy cycle' (e.g. agenda-setting, implementation and evaluation), the determinants of public policy (for example, public opinion, political parties, technology) as well as central themes in the study and practice of public policy, such as corruption and policy learning.
Teaching
9 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
1 hours of lectures and 1 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Essay (2500 words)
Essay (2500 words)
Two formative essays of 2,500 words each are required, one in the AT and one in the WT. An optional third formative essay may be submitted, normally by the ninth week of the WT, in the form of a one-hour timed essay written under examination conditions.
Indicative reading
Arjen Boin and Martin Lodge, The Politics of Policymaking, 2024; Christoph Knill and Jale Tosun, Public Policy, Macmillan, 2020; Hal Colebatch and Robert Hoppe, Handbook on Policy, Process and Governing, Edward Elgar, 2018; P Cairney, Understanding Public Policy. Theories and Issues, Palgrave, 2019; BW Hogwood & A L Gunn, Policy Analysis for the Real World, Oxford University Press, 1984; J W Kingdon, Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies (2nd edn), HarperCollins, New York 1995; A Hassel and K Wegrich, How to Do Public Policy, 2022.
Assessment
Exam (75%), duration: 180 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Essay (25%, 2500 words) in Winter Term Week 8
GENERAL COURSE STUDENTS ONLY:
The Class Summary Grade for General Course students will be calculated as follows: 25% attendance, 37.5% formative essay (best essay), 37.5% participation.
Key facts
Department: Government
Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 5
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 74
Average class size 2024/25: 12
Capped 2024/25: Yes(85)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills