This module exposes students to the main approaches to policy analysis and students will be introduced to the major concepts and theories relevant to understanding the policy process. In addition, students will develop the skills required to define and critically analyse policy issues and problems, articulate decision-making criteria and propose and evaluate alternative policy solutions.

Course Objectives

The main objectives of the course are:

1. To provide an understanding of the role and significance of policy analysis in order to gain knowledge and reform of contemporary public policy.
2. To examine the processes by which policy problems are identified, defined, represented and addressed applying both positivist and post-positivist approaches to policy analysis.
3. To investigate the role of values and assumptions in the policy creation process and apply the developing skills in policy analysis to various case studies.