York Policy Lab - POL00016C
Module summary
The module explores frameworks for identifying and addressing policy challenges, and supports their application to ‘real world’ local issues of national and global relevance.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
On this module, you will act as policy analysts who explore the way in which policy issues of global and national importance touch down - and can be addressed - in York. How do issues get framed as policy problems and end up on the political agenda? Which factors shape policy formulation? Can policy-makers and policy analysts design successful policies? To answer these questions this module provides a comprehensive introduction to policy analysis by exposing you to theoretical and applied policy analysis models. You learn how to frame issues as policy problems, how to systematically evaluate alternative policies to tackle a policy problem, and how to persuasively communicate a policy recommendation. You will conduct policy analyses by working on real-world policy cases in teams during the seminars. In the final summative assessment you will apply theories and tools of policy analysis to a real-world policy issue in order to provide a piece of policy advice to decision-makers.
Module learning outcomes
On completing the module a student will be able to:
-
Identify the types and actors and influences that shape public policies (PLO 1);
-
Frame issues as policy problems and argue for the adoption of a particular policy based on analytical evaluation of different policy options (PLO 4);
-
Demonstrate awareness of the challenges of conducting policy analysis research, including finding and using relevant empirical data (PLO 3);
-
Identify the tools of applied policy analysis and use critical reasoning to analyse how they have been used to evaluate policies (PLO 2).
-
Communicate policy recommendations that draw on key facts and concepts from research on policy analysis to a professional audience (policy-makers) in writing (policy briefs) and orally (in policy presentations) (PLO 5);
-
Reflect on personal growth and skill development in relation to team working (PLO 6).
Module content
Overview of week by week topics (indicative):
1 Intro
2 What is Policy analysis
3 Policy problem definition
4 Formulating policy options
5 Intro to the real world case
6 The role of evidence in policy analysis
7 Are some policies better than others?
8 Influencing policy through effective communication
9 Careers in Policy analysis
10 Presentations
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Bardach, E. and Patashnik, E. M. 2015. A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Knill, C. and Tosun, J. 2012. Public Policy: A New Introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Meltzer, R. and Schwartz, A. (2018) Policy Analysis as Problem Solving: A Flexible and Evidence-Based Framework. London: Routledge.
Mintrom, M. 2012. Contemporary Policy Analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Scott, C. and Baehler, K. 2010. Adding Value to Policy Analysis and Advice. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press.
Stone, D. 2012.. Policy Paradox; the art of political decision-making. New York: WW Norton.