Public Policy Making And Analysis
- Management Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 208 pages
- 24 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and practices of public policy analysis. It explores the dynamics of public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, covering key theories, models, and techniques. The course examines the roles of various actors in the policy process and the impact of the environment on policy outcomes. It also addresses the challenges of planning and budgeting in the context of public policy.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PAD405, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PAD405 · UNIT 1: BASIC CONCEPT IN PUBLIC POLICY
To Thomas R. Dye, Public Policy is whatever government chooses to do or not to do. Thus, Public Policy is a course of government action or inaction in response to public problems. It is associated with formally approved policy goals and means, as well as the regulations and practices that implement programmes.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the basic concepts and principles of public policy analysis.
- Analyze the dynamics of public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
- Apply various theories and models to explain policy-making processes.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different policy analysis techniques.
- Assess the role of budgeting and planning in achieving policy objectives.
What it prepares you for
- Policy Analyst
- Public Administrator
- Government Advisor
- Program Manager
- Research Officer
- Government
- Non-profit Organizations
- Consulting Firms
- Research Institutes
- International Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Key Elements, Policy and Decision-Making theories
Unit 3: Public Policy Models
The complexity of the models requires a strong understanding of theoretical frameworks and analytical skills.
- Module 3: Key Elements, Policy and Decision-Making theories
Unit 5: Theories of Decision-Making
Advanced game theory concepts and strategic decision-making scenarios demand a solid foundation in mathematics and logical reasoning.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 32 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 1: Basic Concepts in Public Policy · 2 hours
Define public policy and its key components.. Differentiate between policy, public interest, and public policy analysis.. Explore the historical development of public policy analysis..
- Week 2Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 2: Nature and Scope of Public Policy · 2 hours
Examine the nature and scope of public policy.. Discuss the importance of public policy in addressing societal problems.. Analyze the characteristics of effective public policies..
- Week 3Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 3: Typologies of Public Policy · 2 hours
Identify and classify different types of public policies.. Distinguish between distributive, regulatory, and redistributive policies.. Understand the terminologies used in policy analysis..
- Week 4Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 4: Public Policy and Social Sciences: The Nexus · 2 hours
Explore the relationship between social sciences and public policy analysis.. Analyze the connections between politics, public administration, and policy analysis.. Evaluate the terminologies used in policy analysis..
- Week 5Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 5: Uses and process of public policy · 2 hours
Understand the uses of public policy analysis in problem-solving.. Explain the stages in the policy-making process.. Discuss the challenges of policy making process..
- Week 6Module 2: Public Policy Environments
Unit 1: Actors in Public Policy Process · 2 hours
Identify the official and unofficial actors in the policy-making process.. Analyze the roles of different actors in policy formulation and implementation.. Differentiate between primary and supplementary policymakers..
- Week 7Module 2: Public Policy Environments
Unit 2: Decision making process · 2 hours
Explain the meaning and characteristics of decision-making.. Describe the levels of decision-making process.. Enumerate the factors affecting decision-making..
- Week 8Module 2: Public Policy Environments
Unit 3: Policy making cycle · 2 hours
Discuss the meaning of public policy cycle.. Analyze the stages in the public policy process.. Demonstrate approaches to agenda setting..
- Week 9Module 2: Public Policy Environments
Unit 4: Bureaucracy and Public Policy Making · 2 hours
Discuss the concept of bureaucracy.. Analyze the role of bureaucracy in public policy making process.. Evaluate the power of bureaucracy and its control measures..
- Week 10Module 2: Public Policy Environments
Unit 5: Impact of the Environment on Policy Making and Implementation · 2 hours
Discuss how political, economic, and social environments affect policy making.. Analyze the significance of policy making in different environments..
- Week 11Module 3: Key Elements, Policy and Decision-Making theories
Unit 1: Tools of Policy-Making Analysis · 2 hours
Discuss operational tools for policy analysis.. Analyze the techniques of policy analysis.. Evaluate Special Interest and Policy Making..
Unit 2: Ecology of Public Policy Analysis and Approaches to Policy Analysis · 2 hours
Understand the concept of ecology.. Discuss Political Factors.. Demonstrate descriptive approach to the study of policy analysis..
- Week 12Module 3: Key Elements, Policy and Decision-Making theories
Unit 3 Public Policy Models · 2 hours
Discuss bureaucratic institutional model of decision-making. Analyse the rational comprehensive model of decision-making. Evaluate the belief system model of decision-making.
Unit 4 Public Policy and Social Sciences Nexus and Key Elements in Public Policy · 2 hours
Analyse various theories of public policy. Discuss Rational Comprehensive Theory. Evaluate Attribution Theory.
- Week 13Module 4: Planning and Public Policy Analysis
Unit 5: Theories of Decision-Making · 2 hours
Understand the concept planning in a develop countries. Analyse socio-economic development. Evaluate models of policy-making.
Unit 4 Budget and public policy · 2 hours
Understand the Concept of Budget. Demonstrate the Government Budget and Public Policy Link. Evaluate the Factors Responsible for Budget Failure in Nigeria.
Preparing for the exam
- Review all module summaries and learning outcomes to reinforce key concepts.
- Create concept maps linking policy theories (Units 7-10) to real-world examples.
- Practice applying policy analysis techniques (Units 11-13) to case studies.
- Focus on understanding the stages of the policy process (Units 1-6) and their interdependencies.
- Allocate study time proportionally to the weight of each module in the final examination.
- Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share insights.
- Practice answering past exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and style.
- Prioritize studying challenging units (identified in peak difficulty periods) and seek clarification on difficult concepts.
- Develop a time management strategy for the exam to ensure all questions are attempted.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PAD405 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and practices of public policy analysis. It explores the dynamics of public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, covering key theories, models, and techniques. The course examines the roles of various actors in the policy process and the impact of the environment on policy outcomes. It also addresses the challenges of planning and budgeting in the context of public policy.
How many units does PAD405 have?
PAD405, Public Policy Making And Analysis, has 24 units across 5 modules, over 208 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PAD405?
PAD405 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Management Sciences.
Is PAD405 hard?
PAD405 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does PAD405 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is PAD405 assessed?
PAD405 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with PAD405?
Policy Analyst, Public Administrator, Government Advisor, Program Manager and Research Officer.