GV4F4 Half Unit
Policy Advice in Theory and Practice
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Elise Antoine
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Sciences Po), MSc in Public Administration and Government (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ 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 3 groups.
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 practical policy analysis 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 critically analysing the theoretical scholarship on policy advice, the science-policy link, and research impact. Moreover, we will apply this analysis to real-world cases during the seminars, in group presentations and exercises, and in the formative and assessed coursework.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 35 hours across Winter Term. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative coursework
One group presentation and a mock examination.
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 spring exam period.
Project (50%, 2500 words).
Student performance results
(2020/21 - 2022/23 combined)
Classification | % of students |
---|---|
Distinction | 27 |
Merit | 69.4 |
Pass | 3.6 |
Fail | 0 |
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2023/24: 30
Average class size 2023/24: 14
Controlled access 2023/24: Yes
Value: Half Unit
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
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Specialist skills