GV4E9     
Approaches and Issues in Public Policy and Administration

This information is for the 2022/23 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Daniel Berliner

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Public Administration and Government (LSE and Peking University) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

The course is designed to introduce MSc students to major issues in understanding public administration and policy. Students will be divided into two to four classes, depending on the number of students taking the course. 18 of the lectures will reflect the topics to be covered in the weekly classes (18 plus 1 revision class) addressing key themes in Public Policy and Public Administration. Some of the lectures may be given by other colleagues teaching on the MSc degree as well as by outside speakers. 2 lectures and classes will cover dissertation writing (for GV499) in the field of public policy and administration.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 40 hours across the Michaelmas, Lent and Summer Terms. This course includes reading weeks in Week 6 of both the MT and LT terms.

Formative coursework

Two formative essays, one in the Michaelmas Term and one in the Lent Term.

Indicative reading

Christoph Knill and Jale Tosun (2020) Public Policy; Paul Cairney (2019) Understanding Public Policy; Merilee Grindle (2012) Jobs for the Boys; B Guy Peters (2018) Politics of Bureaucracy (7th edn); David L Weimer and Aidan R Vining (2016) Policy analysis: Concepts and practice; Steve Balla, Martin Lodge and Edward C Page (eds) (2015) Oxford Handbook on the Classics of Public Policy.

Assessment

Essay (25%, 3000 words) in the LT.
Online assessment (75%) in the ST.

Online assessment duration: 7 days in the ST.

Student performance results

(2018/19 - 2020/21 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 33.1
Merit 60.1
Pass 6.7
Fail 0

Key facts

Department: Government

Total students 2021/22: 53

Average class size 2021/22: 17

Controlled access 2021/22: Yes

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

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