GV4F4 Half Unit
Policy Advice in Theory and Practice
This information is for the 2016/17 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Hanan Haber CON 6.16
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in Public Administration and Government (LSE and Peking University) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course is capped at 2 groups. The deadline for enrolments will be 12 noon, Monday, 3 October 2016. You will be informed of the outcome by 12 noon, Wednesday, 5 October 2016.
Course content
Many masters graduates in public policy and administration go on to work in organizations that produce or consume policy advice. With this in mind, this course will look at how policy advice is produced and used. It has three objectives: to introduce students to a range of theoretical and empirical scholarship on the issues involved in producing and using policy advice; to develop the practical policy analysis, advice and communication skills required of policy advisors; and to expose students to practitioners who produce and use policy advice. Students will develop their policy analysis and communication skills by working through real-world cases during the seminars and in the formative and assessed coursework.
Teaching
8 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT.
In addition there will be between two and five guest speaker sessions.
There will be a reading week in Week 6.
Formative coursework
One formative essay (policy memo and analysis) (2,000 words) designed to help students in developing their project work and either a mock examination or a second policy memo and analysis (2,000 words).
Indicative reading
Bardach, Eugene (2009) A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis, Third Edition. Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Stone, D.A., (2002). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making, New York: Norton.
Scott, C. and Baehler, K. (2010) Adding Value to Policy Analysis and Advice, Sydney: University of New South Wales Press
Weimer, David L. and Vining, Aidan R. (2005) Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice, Fourth Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Assessment
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Project (50%, 2000 words).
Student performance results
(2012/13 - 2014/15 combined)
Classification | % of students |
---|---|
Distinction | 7.2 |
Merit | 73.2 |
Pass | 18.6 |
Fail | 1 |
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2015/16: 32
Average class size 2015/16: 18
Controlled access 2015/16: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Specialist skills