Theories and Actors of the Policy Process

Module Code: PUBLG074

Teaching: 10 hours of lectures, 10 hours of seminars

Credits: 30

Assessment: Three Hour Examination

Essay Deadline/s: N/A

Lecturer: Margarita Gelepithis and Tim Hicks

Office Hours: TBC

*Please note that this is a core module for students registered on the MSc Public Policy programme and is not available as an optional module.

USEFUL LINKS

Lecture and Seminar Times:

Online Timetable at www.ucl.ac.uk/timetable

Extenuating Circumstances
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/spp/intranet/pg/assessment/extenuating-circumstances

Penalties for Late Submission and Overlength Essays
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/spp/intranet/pg/assessment/essays/#tabs-5

Essay Submission Information
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/spp/intranet/pg/assessment/essays

Examinations
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/spp/intranet/pg/assessment/examinations

Plagiarism and TurnItIn
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/spp/intranet/pg/assessment/plagiarism-turnitin

MSc in Public Policy 2014-15
PUBLG074
Theories and Actors of the Policy Process

Aims and Objectives
The aim of the course is to further understanding of the different actors, processes and stages involved in formulating public policies in liberal democracies, using a range of analytical approaches. At the end of the course, students should have acquired a working knowledge of different theories of public policy—their methods, assumptions and limitations.

Aims
1. To provide a sound account of the logic and structure of the main analytical approaches to the making and evaluation of public policy.
2. To show how these approaches enable us to understand the role of key actors in the policy process.

Learning Outcomes
After taking the module, you should:
1. Be familiar with the main analytical approaches to the study of public policy.
2. Understand the underlying logic of each approach, and also understand how each theory can be applied to public policy processes.
3. Be familiar with the main criticisms applicable to each approach and be in a position to evaluate the validity of those criticisms.

Dr Margarita Gelepithis
Office Hours: Thursdays, 14:30-16:30
E-mail: margarita.gelepithis@ucl.ac.uk

Dr Tim Hicks
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 10:30-12:30
E-mail: t.hicks@ucl.ac.uk