Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Public Policy Analysis and Management
Code: 45821Credits: 5
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Daniel Edmiston
- Email :
- daniel.edmiston@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
None
Objectives
- To understand the main theoretical debates in public management and public policy analysis
- To provide an overview of the main issues currently alive in debates on public administration reform and social policy
- To acquire the knowledge and have an overview of the skills that are necessary within organizational environments in the field of politics and public management.
- To learn to apply knowledge to the analysis of complex social and political problems
- To learn to apply theoretical and methodological models in order to carry out research in this field
Learning outcomes
- CA13 (Design and evaluate public and social policies taking criteria of social justice, sustainability and political viability into account.) Design and evaluate public and social policies taking criteria of social justice, sustainability and political viability into account.
- CA14 (Communicate policy proposals to diverse audiences in clear and accessible language.) Communicate policy proposals to diverse audiences in clear and accessible language.
- CA15 (Work in multidisciplinary teams to address complex public and social policy issues.) Work in multidisciplinary teams to address complex public and social policy issues.
- CA16 (Investigate public and social policies through literature review and empirical studies.) Investigate public and social policies through literature review and empirical studies.
- KA12 (Critically comment on the theoretical focus of public policy analysis and their implications for the formulation and implementation of policies.) Critically comment on the theoretical focus of public policy analysis and their implications for the formulation and implementation of policies.
- KA13 (Identify the phases of the public policy cycle and the tools available, assessing their political, social, and economic implications.) Identify the phases of the public policy cycle and the tools available, assessing their political, social, and economic implications.
- KA14 (Examine the reforms and the current context in the management of the public sector and the third sector.) Examine the reforms and the current context in the management of the public sector and the third sector.
- KA15 (Identify questions and methods used in the international literature on public management and policy analysis.) Identify questions and methods used in the international literature on public management and policy analysis.
- SA10 (Apply analytical frameworks and analyse case studies by incorporating methodological knowledge into research projects.) Apply analytical frameworks and analyse case studies by incorporating methodological knowledge into research projects.
- SA11 (Formulate policy recommendations based on empirical evidence.) Formulate policy recommendations based on empirical evidence.
Contents
This module provides a systematic introduction to the study of public and social policy, as well as to the main contemporary approaches to public management in complex institutional settings. Its primary objective is to equip students with the conceptual and methodological tools needed to understand and analyse the full public policy cycle, from problem definition and agenda setting through policy design, implementation, monitoring, and impact evaluation.
Particular attention is paid to recent transformations in the governance of the public and third sectors, examining the effects of administrative reforms, new models of leadership and accountability, and the incorporation of principles such as transparency, bureaucratic representation, and public service motivation.
The course examines the main debates surrounding the management and evaluation of public services, from agenda setting and the use of evidence in policymaking to the design of policy instruments and the evaluation of policy outcomes and performance. It also explores institutional dynamics and the role of key actors—including public agencies, third-sector organisations, think tanks, and citizens—in decision-making and policy implementation at both national and subnational levels.
The module combines the study of theoretical frameworks with the comparative analysis of case studies, preparing students to apply this knowledge in their professional careers, empirical research, or their Master's Thesis (TFM), particularly in the context of multilevel governance.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directed Work | 35 | 1.4 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
| Independent study | 60 | 2.4 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
| Class | 30 | 1.2 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
Learning is based on the reading and discussion of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The aim is to develop the ability to formulate questions and provide answers. For this reason, students are expected to participate actively and autonomously in the search and selection of relevant information, in reading and reflection, with the aim of creating a rich and informed dialogue with the teaching staff and their peers.
This autonomous effort will be required prior to each session through readings, essay preparation, and the completion of case studies and exercises. This work will be complemented by seminar discussions and oral presentations, which will help students to better understand both theoretical knowledge and practice-based knowledge, as well as to critically question them.
Classroom teaching will combine lectures, seminar discussions on theoretical and empirical knowledge, and work on case studies and exercises, always seeking to identify the applicability of theory to the real world. Teaching will focus on the preparation of essays, exercises, and presentations.
Class preparation: materials are made available on the course Moodle (Virtual Campus).
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Class Assessment | 40% | 0 | 0 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
| Attendance and Participation | 10% | 0 | 0 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
| Individual Assessment (Independent) | 20% | 0 | 0 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
| Group Work and Presentation | 30% | 0 | 0 | CA13, CA14, CA15, CA16, KA12, KA13, KA14, KA15, SA10, SA11 |
Students will be assessed across several assignments through the course of the module. Assignments are designed to support and assess your learning through a range of exercises. Assignments are adapted to the requirements and content of sessions led by instructors and will include group work, presentations, and case study exercises. All assignments will combine information from the sessions, required readings and some original contribution by the student. To help you plan your time, the deadline for submitting/completing is indicated in the module handbook on Campus Virtual. There are four categories of assessment with a differential weighting towards the final grade.
- Attendance and Participation (10%)
- Individual Assessment (Independent) (20%)
- Group Work and Presentation (30%)
- Individual Class Assessment (40%)
Any breach of assessment rules — including academic fraud, plagiarism, or the improper use of AI (unless such use is explicitly authorised in the course syllabus) — that may significantly affect the grade, will result in that assessment activity being awarded a mark of 0.
Bibliography
Details available in Module Handbook.
Software
Semester 1, Tuesdays 15:00-17:30
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE