2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2702 Introduction to Comparative Public Policy

20 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Soohyun Lee
Email: S.C.Lee@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

PIED2703 Comparative Public Policy

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides students with an overview of the nature and variations in policy between states, across a range of key policy areas. Students will acquire knowledge of theoretical approaches to policy-making as well as understanding of various policy designs and instruments. Moreover, students will gain sound understanding of how key public policy domains (economic, welfare, labour market and education policies) are designed and implemented. On completion of the module students should be able to analyse similarities and differences in public policy across states. Students will develop transferable skills of research, organisation and communication through the course work and assessed essay.

Objectives

- An in-depth introduction to the study of comparative public policy.
- Develop skills of investigating how policies are formulated and implemented.
- Develop methodological and analytical skills of comparative analysis.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to
- know the general content and instruments of key policy areas.
- understand theories of policy making and policy development.
- analyse similarities and variations in public policy between states.

Skills outcomes
Students will develop skills in
- Comprehending public policies as the outputs of the political system
- Scrutinising dynamics of policy-making according to various stages of policy cycle
- Explaining policy change using theoretical approaches to policy-making
- Critically analysing the strengths and limitations of key approaches to policy-making
- Conducting a comparative analysis using various methodological techniques
- Working in small-groups to investigate policy reform using key concepts

Syllabus

- Why study and compare public policies?
- The policy process
- Interests and public policy
- Ideas and public policy
- Institutions and public policy
- Policy transfer and learning
- Economic policy
- Welfare policy
- Labour Market policy
- Education policy

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will be required to prepare for discussions in seminars through extensive reading of sources listed on the module reading list. In addition to this, students should spend time preparing for their assessments which could include finding and using sources not listed on their reading list.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored through feedback from assessed essay which will be returned through meetings with students during office hours and feedback weeks.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 3000 word (End of term)	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/05/2017

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