POLI06005 2017 Policy Making & the Policy Process
Full Title
Policy Making & the Policy Process
Transcript Title
Policy Processes
Code
POLI06005
Attendance
80 %
Subject Area
POLI - Policy Studies
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
06 - NFQ Level 6
Credit
10 - 10 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2017 - Full Academic Year 2017-18
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Martha Doyle, Sinead Barrins
Programme Membership
SG_HJOIN_H08 201700 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities in Joint Majors: Sociology and Politics
SG_HJOIN_H08 201900 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities in Joint Majors: Sociology and Politics
Description
This module provides an understanding of social policy and the policy making processes. It will explore the meaning and nature of social policy and welfare and how this has evolved since the conception of the welfare state in post-industrialist societies. Key theoretical writings on topics, such as power, rights, redistribution, equality and equity, citizenship and social justice will be discussed, debated and critically examined. Students will be equipped with an understanding of the evolving organisation and delivery of welfare and the notion of welfare pluralism, considering the role of the public, private, voluntary and informal sector. Theories relating to policy formulation and implementation including, the themes of ‘new public management’, the shift from government to governance and the internationalisation of social policy will be reviewed and discussed. Throughout the module reference will be made to current social policy debates in Ireland to gain an applied understanding of the theoretical issues discussed in class.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
1.
Understand the importance and significance of ideological, political, cultural and economic influences on the development of policy
2.
Appreciate the differing interpretation of social problems and the influencing factors on ensuing responses
3.
Identify the key underlying concepts of social policy
4.
Understand and distinguish between different approaches to policy analysis and implementation
5.
Critically explore key policy issues related to welfare and social policy debates in contemporary Ireland.
6.
Understand the key concepts relating to the organisation and delivery of welfare.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Teaching and learning strategies will include incorporate principles of UDL, incorporating role play, case studies, group discussion, small group activities, class field trip with the supports of the IT’s VLE.
Module Assessment Strategies
There are two assessment components to this module:
- Case Study: (50%) The students will undertake a case study examining a contemporary policy issue.
- Exam (50%)
Repeat Assessments
Repeat assessment will be developed based on failed component.
Indicative Syllabus
Conceptualising policy and welfare
What is social policy? What do we mean by policy analysis? What is the welfare state and what are the aims and functions of a welfare strategy? What is the relationship between ideology and social welfare and what do we mean by, right and left views of welfare? What are the different welfare typologies?
Problems and Responses
What is a Social Problem? How is a social problem constructed? What paradigms are used to interpret a problem? How problem definition and policy development, influenced by political, economic, cultural, demographic and social factors?
The organisation and Delivery of Welfare
What is the social division of welfare, what do we mean by welfare pluralism, and what is the role of the public, private, voluntary and informal sector in social policy/welfare provision.
Policy Formulation
What do we mean by agenda setting, policy formulation and decision making? What are the respective roles of politicians and civil servants in relation to the policy formulation process? How do policy analysis models, such as, Rational Theory Model, Incrementalist Theory Model, Public Choice Theory, New Public Management and Policy Discourse Approaches inform our understanding of policy formulation and implementation?
Internationalisation of social policy
Can we speak of the globalisation of social policy? Is policy transfer important? How do institutions such as the EU and international bodies, such as the OECD, World Bank, World Health Organisation and United Nations shape social policy at the nation state level?
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %
Coursework Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assessment | Continuous Assessment | Assessment | 100 % | Week 12 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exam | Final Exam | Assessment | 50 % | End of Semester | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Full Time Mode Workload
| Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Lecture Theatre | Lecture | 6 | Weekly | 6.00 |
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 6.00 Hours
Module Resources
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Parsons, W. (1995), Public Policy: An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited
Alcock, P., May, M., and Rowlingson, K. (eds) (2008): The Student's Companion to Social Policy (3 rd Edition). London: Blackwell Press.
Considine, M. and Dukelow, F. (2009): Irish Social Policy: a critical introduction. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan.
Kennedy, Patricia. (2013) Key Themes in Social Policy. London: Routledge
Lister, R. (2010). Understanding Theories and Concepts in Social Policy. University of Bristol: Policy Press
Sealey, C. (2015). Social Policy Simplified: Connecting Theory with Peoples Lives. UK: Palgrave
Spicker, P. (2008) Social Policy, themes and approaches. London: Prentice Hall.