Public Policy Analysis
- Social Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 133 pages
- 21 units
This course examines the foundation of policy analysis, delving into analytical tools required in explaining decision-making processes. It analyzes policymakers, explores criteria in public policy making, and covers frameworks essential for understanding public policy. Models, approaches, and theoretical postulations in policy analysis are reflected, providing an in-depth insight into the fundamental knowledge of Public Policy Analysis. It is designed to equip students with analytical tools for decision making in a political system.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 42 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of POL317, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
POL317 · UNIT 1: MEANING AND DEFINITION OF PUBLIC POLICY
Self-assessment exercises are also provided in each unit. The exercises should help you to evaluate your understanding of the material so far. These are not to be submitted. You will find all answers to these within the units they are intended for.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the foundations of public policy analysis.
- Identify and differentiate between various types of public policies.
- Apply different methodologies to analyze public policies.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of policy implementation.
- Understand the roles of key actors in the policy-making process.
- Apply theoretical frameworks to analyze policy outcomes.
- Assess the ethical considerations in policy analysis.
What it prepares you for
- Policy Analyst
- Public Administrator
- Government Consultant
- Political Advisor
- Research Officer
- Government
- Public Sector
- Non-profit Organizations
- Consulting Firms
- Research Institutes
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module III: Key Elements of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 2: Policy Models
Understanding the nuances of different policy models requires critical thinking and application of theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
- Module V: Dimensions for Policy Analysis
Unit 2: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Techniques
Cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis techniques require quantitative skills and the ability to evaluate complex data.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Foundation of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 1: Meaning and Definition of Public Policy · 2 hours
Read the introduction to public policy.. Understand the meaning and definition of public policy.. Study the characteristics of public policy.. Explain why we study public policy..
- Week 2Module 1: Foundation of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 2: Types of Public Policy · 2 hours
Identify the categories of public policy.. Study substantive and procedural policies.. Understand distributive, regulatory, and redistributive policies.. Examine material and symbolic policies..
- Week 3Module 1: Foundation of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 3: The Concept of Public Policy Analysis · 2 hours
Conceptualize public policy analysis.. Understand the elements of good policy analysis.. Differentiate between public and private policy.. Explore the purpose of government decisions..
- Week 4Module 1: Foundation of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 4: Public Policy and Social Sciences: The Nexus · 2 hours
Describe the relationship between Social Science and Public Policy Analysis.. Explain the relationship between politics and public policy.. Explain the relationship between Public Administration and Public Policy..
- Week 5Module 1: Foundation of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 5: Scope and Characteristics of Policy Analysis · 2 hours
Examine the scope of Public Policy Analysis.. Describe the characteristics of Public Policy Analysis.. Understand the scientific methods used in policy analysis..
- Week 6Module II: Policy Analysis and Policy Making
Unit 1: Basic Terminologies in Public Policy Analysis · 2 hours
Understand the underlying terminologies in public policy analysis.. Identify the relevance of those terminologies to policy analysis.. Study policy demands, decisions, statements, outputs, and outcomes..
- Week 7Module II: Policy Analysis and Policy Making
Unit 2: Methods and Approaches to Policy Analysis · 2 hours
Describe the descriptive approach to the study of policy analysis.. Explain the prescriptive approach to the study of policy analysis.. Analyse qualitative and quantitative approaches..
- Week 8Module II: Policy Analysis and Policy Making
Unit 3: Theories of Public Policy · 2 hours
Analyse the importance of theory in policy analysis.. Explain various theoretical approaches to the study of policy analysis.. Study system theory, group theory, and elite theory..
- Week 9Module II: Policy Analysis and Policy Making
Unit 4: Policy Making Cycle · 2 hours
Understand the concept of policy making cycle.. Explain the stages in public policy process.. Study problem identification, policy formulation, and policy implementation..
- Week 10Module III: Key Elements of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 1: Public Policy Actors · 2 hours
Explain the role of official Actors in public policy making process.. Understand the indirect role of unofficial Actors in public policy-making process.. Study the role of the executive, legislature, and judiciary..
- Week 11Module III: Key Elements of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 2: Policy Models · 2 hours
Understand rational comprehensive model of decision-making.. Explain Incremental model of decision –making.. Analyse bureaucratic institutional model of decision-making.. Describe belief system model of decision-making..
- Week 12Module III: Key Elements of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 3: Tools of Policy Making Analysis · 2 hours
Understand general operational research tools for policy analysis.. Describe tools and techniques of policy analysis.. Study the use of models, scenario construction, and system analysis..
- Week 13Module III: Key Elements of Public Policy Analysis
Unit 4: Phases in Public Policy Analysis · 2 hours
Explain the participants in decision making.. Understand the interest of decision makers.. Study public participation, special interest, policy change, and policy termination..
Preparing for the exam
- Review key definitions and concepts from Units 1-5 in Module 1.
- Create concept maps linking policy types (Unit 2, Module 1) with relevant examples.
- Practice applying different policy analysis methodologies (Units 1-2, Module 2) to case studies.
- Focus on understanding the policy-making cycle (Unit 4, Module 2) and its stages.
- Identify key policy actors (Unit 1, Module 3) and their roles in the policy process.
- Compare and contrast different policy models (Unit 2, Module 3) and their assumptions.
- Master the tools of policy-making analysis (Unit 3, Module 3) and their applications.
- Understand the relationship between planning and policy analysis (Module 4).
- Practice cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis techniques (Unit 2, Module 5).
- Review the policy analysis framework (Unit 1, Module 5) and its elements.
- Understand the constraints of policy analysis (Unit 4, Module 5) and their implications.
Questions students ask about this course
What is POL317 about?
This course examines the foundation of policy analysis, delving into analytical tools required in explaining decision-making processes. It analyzes policymakers, explores criteria in public policy making, and covers frameworks essential for understanding public policy. Models, approaches, and theoretical postulations in policy analysis are reflected, providing an in-depth insight into the fundamental knowledge of Public Policy Analysis. It is designed to equip students with analytical tools for decision making in a political system.
How many units does POL317 have?
POL317, Public Policy Analysis, has 21 units across 5 modules, over 133 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is POL317?
POL317 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.
Is POL317 hard?
POL317 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does POL317 take to study?
About 42 hours of study, spread across its 21 units.
How is POL317 assessed?
POL317 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with POL317?
Policy Analyst, Public Administrator, Government Consultant, Political Advisor and Research Officer.