Public policy is a puzzling phenomenon. Why do governments declare some social conditions to be problems that warrant the commitment of scarce public resources? And why do different governments that confront similar problems address them in very different ways? Why are there often such big gaps between the stated policy and that which is actually delivered to citizens? This course presents an introduction to policy analysis - a multidisciplinary social science endeavour devoted to answering these and many other intriguing puzzles that our daily experience of public policy throws up. It focuses on the institutions and processes by which public policy is made, accounted for and evaluated. Political institutions include formal elements of the constitution, such as the executive and legislative branches and the electoral system, together with less formal institutions, such as political parties.  We will present and utilise some of the main concepts and models that scholars employ to describe, explain and evaluate public policy-making. Students will apply these to policy practice by discussing and analysing real world examples.

On successful completion of this course you will have:

• demonstrated a working knowledge of key terms, concepts and ideas in the study of public policy

• considered the major political institutions and actors involved in the public policy process

• debated the role of values in public policy

• examined how public policy issues come onto the agenda, and how they are managed

• demonstrated a working knowledge of policy instruments and their behavioural assumptions

• contributed to informed discussions on various theoretical and practical aspects of public policy;

• demonstrated the capacity to research and critically analyse public policy issues;

• considered the implications of centralised and federal systems of government for public policy

• reflected on the politics and practices of implementing and evaluating public policy

• demonstrated the ability to think independently, and persuasively communicate in the field of public policy.

• Online discussion (30%)
• Policy Project (50%)
• Policy responses (under test conditions) (20%)

 Passing the course is conditional on passing all items of assessment.

30 contact hours.

At least 30 hours outside of contact hours to complete the course.

This course is incompatible with  

POGO 8012: Governance and Institutions

POGO 8090: Making and Evaluating Policy 

Howlett, Michael and M Ramesh (2003) Studying Public Policy. Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems (Second Edition) Toronto, Oxford University Press

Delivery Mode:

On Campus.