Explaining Public Policies
| Module title | Explaining Public Policies |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL2102 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Claire Dunlop (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 120 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will explore key policy research theories in depth. You will be provided with a range of conceptual approaches that explore themes including: the role of stories in policy-making; the sources of radical policy change; the impact of policies on people and their self-identity. We explore these themes using case studies from contemporary policy-making for example, LGBTQ+ policy change, gun control and capital punishment. The module provides the opportunity to think critically about the everyday issues faced by policymakers in the UK and globally and is highly recommended to any students interested in public policy and wish to continue this pathway at Level 3.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module helps you understand and explain why policies take the forms they do. After the introductory lecture, the module is taught in four 2-week cycles; a theoretical framework will be introduced in the first week and then applied to an empirical setting in the second week through research-led teaching. The tutorials will cover these topics. In addition to encouraging students to think like policymakers, the module will provide links to employability and future career pathways such as the Civil Service, political communication, lobbying, think tanks and policy advisor roles.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate understanding of the nature and evolution of core concepts regarding public policy;
- 2. analyse policy problems through key conceptual lenses.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. critically assess the utilities of different public policy-oriented theories and methods deployed in policy analysis;
- 4. apply key theoretical ideas to concrete, empirical examples.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. communicate ideas effectively both formally through position papers and essays, and informally during class discussions;
- 6. communicate ideas in a highly effective fashion in a given number of words in written form;
- 7. work independently to a very high level.
Syllabus plan
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21.5 | 128.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | 5 x 1 hour tutorial. Tutorials are based on lecture topics |
| Guided Independent Study | 88.5 | Preparation and writing of essay and position paper |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Reading for tutorials |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 250 words | 1-7 | Verbal, one-to-one |
| Position paper | 100 words | 1-7 | Verbal, one-to-one |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 60 | 2,000 words | 1-7 | Written |
| Position paper | 40 | 800 words | 1-7 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (2,000 words) | Essay (2,000 words) (60%) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
| Position paper (800 words) | Position paper (800 words) (40%) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval).
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Key words search
Public Policy Analysis – Theories of the Policy Process – Case Studies
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 23/01/2018 |
| Last revision date | 29/01/2025 |
