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SP22027: Policy making: politics and practices

[Page last updated: 01 October 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 20 [equivalent to 40 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 400
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWES 50%, EXCB 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Policy analysis case study (CWES 50%)
  • Closed-book written examination (EXCB 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the unit students will be able to: 1. Define and explain policy and the policy process at local, national and global levels 2. Appraise the role of different policy actors 3. Critique different theoretical perspectives on the policy process 4. Apply and examine policy models in relation to a range of social policy case studies and across different country contexts


Synopsis: Gain introductory knowledge of the principles of policy analysis and how these are relevant to the study of social action in the contemporary world. Youll examine the origins of the policy sciences and how they are linked to wider debates around democracy and social justice. Youll also study the role of different social factors in policy-making, including the state, the market and the third sector.

Content: The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the core principles of policy analysis and how these are relevant to the study of social action in the contemporary world. Organised into four teaching blocks, the first part of the unit examines the origins of the policy sciences and how they are linked to wider debates around democracy and social justice. The second part examines the role of different social actors in policy-making ranging from the state, to the market to the family and third sector. The third part builds upon the acquired knowledge and skills by introducing students to different models of policy-making and how these related to different political contexts across the world ranging from high to middle and low-income countries. The final part of the unit is dedicated to practical applications of the conceptual material learnt. These policy case studies include for example: employment, crime, social protection, migration and climate change.

Course availability:

SP22027 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB34 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with professional placement (Year 2)

SP22027 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB31 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB31 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with professional placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.