Policy Analysis for a Complex World - SPY00144M

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Module summary

This module will explore and analyse the complexity inherent in contemporary social and public policy development and reform.   The module will critically examine the role of ideas, interests and institutions and actors in the policy process and explore the wider social, economic and political processes that shape contemporary policy-making. It will equip students with the conceptual and analytical tools to enable them to undertake advanced applied policy analysis in a range of local, national and international policy settings.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Online Teaching Period 6 2023-24

Module aims

This module explores concepts of policy and policy analysis, and provides tools for analysing social and public policy with a focus on the role of ideas, interests, actors and institutions in the policy process. It unpacks the ways in which multiple stakeholders shape how policy problems and agendas are framed, which policy actions and processes influence decision-making, and how policies are implemented and evaluated. Throughout, the module considers the complexity inherent in contemporary social and public policy-making as well as the wider social, economic and political processes that affect contemporary policy-making. It will equip students with the conceptual and analytical tools to undertake applied policy analysis in a range of local, national and international policy settings. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to: 

• demonstrate critical understanding of the complexity of the policy process and the range of institutions and actors that shape it.

• explore some of the key models and frameworks which can assist in the analysis of policy issues and problems. 

• apply appropriate models and frameworks to the analysis of policy problems.

• appreciate and offer informed commentary on the processes underlying the complexity of contemporary policy-making with reference to wider issues of political economy and social change.

• demonstrate a critical awareness of national, international and global policy debates and their evolution over time.

Module content

• Week 1: introduction to policy, policy-making and complexity

• Week 2: complexity and whole systems thinking in the context of policy

• Week 3: multi-level/multi-centric governance as one factor of complexity

• Week 4: key policy actors/stakeholders, and their interactions in the policy process

• Week 5: tool box for policy analysis

• Week 6: implementation challenges in contexts of complexity

• Week 7: conclusion on policy making in a complex world

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

None

Module feedback

Feedback on summative assessments will be provided within 20 working days, consisting of written comments and a marking matrix.

Indicative reading

Cairney, P., Heikkila, T. and Wood, M. (2019). Making Policy in a Complex World. CUP

Hill, M. and Varone F. (2017).The Public Policy Process. Seventh Edition. Routledge.

Bardach, E. and Patashnik, E. (2020). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. Sixth Edition. Sage.