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MPA810

Public Policy Analysis

This course, MPA 810: Public Policy Analysis, is a 3-credit unit course designed for Master in Public Administration students. It consists of 20 units, covering concepts, methods, and theories of public policy analysis. Students will explore policy conception, characteristics, and implementation processes. The course examines various approaches, models, and techniques used in policy analysis, including case studies to enhance understanding of policy-making and implementation challenges in Nigeria. Emphasis is placed on equipping students with the knowledge to analyze and evaluate public policies effectively.

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About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
50 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of MPA810, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

MPA810 · Unit 1: Concept of Policy and Public Policy

What exactly does the term "policy" mean? Policy is as a course or principle of action adopted or suggested by a government, party, business, or individual."

Start readingGet the original PDF, if you want it

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the Policy Conception and Characteristics
  2. Explain the Concept and Field of Public Policy Analysis
  3. Outline the Uses and Types of Public Policies
  4. Discuss the Methods and Approaches in Policy Analysis
  5. Explain the Theories of Policy Making

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Policy Analyst
  • Public Administrator
  • Government Official
  • Consultant
  • Researcher
Where it is applied
  • Government
  • Public Sector
  • Non-profit
  • Consulting
  • Research

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2:

    Unit 1: Theories of Public Policy: Structural-Functional Theory

    Understanding the interplay between structures and functions requires abstract thinking and application to real-world political systems.

  • Module 4:

    Unit 2: Public Choice Theory

    Requires understanding of economic principles and applying them to political decision-making processes.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:

    • Unit 1: Concept of Policy and Public Policy · 2 hours

      Define policy and public policy.. Discuss the relationship between policy and public policy.. Identify the characteristics of public policy..

  2. Week 2Module 1:

    • Unit 2: Public Policy in the Decision-Making Process · 2 hours

      Discuss the role of public policy in the decision-making process.. Explain the rational comprehensive approach.. Discuss the incremental approach..

  3. Week 3Module 1:

    • Unit 3: Models of Public Policy Analysis I · 2 hours

      Explain Eastonian's model of policy-making process.. Discuss the limitations of Eastonian's model.. Explain the application of Eastonian's model..

  4. Week 4Module 1:

    • Unit 4: Models of Public Policy-Making II · 2 hours

      Explain the Institutional Model.. Discuss the Group Model.. Analyze the Systems Model.. Explain the Streams and Windows Model.

  5. Week 5Module 1:

    • Unit 5: Rational Model · 2 hours

      Explain the concept of Rationalism.. Discuss the concept of Rational Model.. Outline the barriers to rational decision making.. Explain the Deficiencies of Rationalism..

  6. Week 6Module 2:

    • Unit 1: Theories of Public Policy: Structural-Functional Theory · 2 hours

      Explain the Structural-Functional Theory.. Discuss the assumption of the Structural functionalism theory.. Evaluate the critique of the structural functionalist perspective theory..

  7. Week 7Module 2:

    • Unit 2: Theories of Public Policy: Institutional Theory · 2 hours

      Explain the Content of the Institutional Theory.. Discuss the Framework of the Institutional theory.. Assess the formation of public policy as an institutional product.. Explain the Theoretical and Model-Based Criticism of Institutionalism..

  8. Week 8Module 2:

    • Unit 3: Theories of Public Policy: Process Theory · 2 hours

      Discuss the Process Theory.. Explain the Functional analysis of Process Theory.. Evaluate the Public policy as a Process Output.. Outline the Policy Process..

  9. Week 9Module 2:

    • Unit 4: Theories of Public Policy: Political Systems Theory · 2 hours

      Explain the Political Theory.. Outline the Proponent of Political Systems Theory.. State the assumption of Political Systems Theory.. Itemize the types of Political Theory..

  10. Week 10Module 2:

    • Unit 5: Theories of Public Policy: Group Theory · 2 hours

      Explain the Concept of Group Theory.. Discuss the Component of Group Theory.. State the Limitations of Group theory.. Explain the Application of Group theory..

  11. Week 11Module 4:

    • Unit 1: Elite Theory of Public Policy · 2 hours

      Briefly explain the Origin of Elite Theory.. Highlight the basic assumption of Elite Theory.. Discuss the Elite-Mass Model.. Explain the implications of elite theory for policy analysis..

  12. Week 12Module 4:

    • Unit 2: Public Choice Theory · 2 hours

      Explain the Origin of Public Choice Theory.. Discuss the School of Public Choice Theory.. Explain the Critics Public Choice Theory.. Briefly explain the Public Choice Theory and Collective Decision-Making..

  13. Week 13Module 4:

    • Unit 3: Agenda Setting · 2 hours

      Explain the Agenda Setting.. Discuss the AGENDA Setting.. Evaluate the Agenda, Starting From the Top Down.. Explain the Interest Groups and Policymaking.. Define the concept Lobbying..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create concept maps linking policy theories and models.
  • Focus on real-world examples of policy implementation challenges.
  • Practice applying different policy analysis techniques to case studies.
  • Review key terms and definitions from each unit weekly.
  • Allocate time to understand the Nigerian context of policy-making and implementation.

Questions students ask about this course

What is MPA810 about?

This course, MPA 810: Public Policy Analysis, is a 3-credit unit course designed for Master in Public Administration students. It consists of 20 units, covering concepts, methods, and theories of public policy analysis. Students will explore policy conception, characteristics, and implementation processes. The course examines various approaches, models, and techniques used in policy analysis, including case studies to enhance understanding of policy-making and implementation challenges in Nigeria. Emphasis is placed on equipping students with the knowledge to analyze and evaluate public policies effectively.

How many units does MPA810 have?

MPA810, Public Policy Analysis, has 17 units across 4 modules, over 155 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is MPA810?

MPA810 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Management Sciences.

Is MPA810 hard?

MPA810 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does MPA810 take to study?

About 50 hours of study, spread across its 17 units.

How is MPA810 assessed?

MPA810 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with MPA810?

Policy Analyst, Public Administrator, Government Official, Consultant and Researcher.

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