Бакалавриат
2019/2020
Введение в политический анализ
Статус:
Курс обязательный (Политология и мировая политика)
Направление:
41.03.04. Политология
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук
Когда читается:
3-й курс, 3, 4 модуль
Формат изучения:
без онлайн-курса
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
6
Контактные часы:
68
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This mandatory 6 credit course examines the policy process in different political and geographical contexts. The course considers how policy problems are identified and framed, and how interventions are formed and evaluated. Through lectures and interactive seminars based on core literature, policy material and a project exercise, students learn and apply key concepts in policy studies, get first knowledge of the policy cycle from initiation implementation and evaluation, and examine the actors, interests and institutions (domestic and external) that shape policy processes and outcomes. Different traditions in policy analysis and normative aspects of the policy process are critically examined, including Russia-specific factors of policymaking. The course consists of three parts. The first part seeks to reveal what the state is and what public policies are. The second part concentrates on the main theories and models of policy studies and traces them through the virtual policy cycle. The third part focuses on the practical and managerial aspects of policy analysis, e.g. what skills, personal traits, and knowledge a successful policy analysist has to have. The course concludes with a brief overview of the topics and students’ reflections on the subject. This is not an easy course, so students are strongly recommended to organize their schedule in advance and be ready for a significant amount of readings.
Learning Objectives
- The goal of the course is to teach students to analyze the policy process with the use of different theories as well as to give them a basic understanding of policy evaluation methods and principles.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- identifies policy problems and critically engage with them with various analytical tools and methods
- understands key concepts in policy studies and apply them to/in specific problems/contexts
- understands how policy issues are problematized and policy responses are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in different political and geographical contexts
- engages with normative aspects of policy design, including strategies to mainstream rights, evidence-based, and gender- and conflict-sensitive approaches
- writes about public policy for different audiences
Course Contents
- Introduction: why are we here?Course structure, grading policies. What is Policy Analysis and who are policy analysts?
- Developing as a Policy Analyst: Designing Interventions and Writing Policy PapersIntervention designs. How to write good policy papers.
- Why State? Market FailuresMarket efficiency as a public policy rationale. Market failures: externalities, public good provision, natural monopoly, information asymmetries.
- Why State: state’s role in making public policies. “Carrots, Sermons and Sticks”State's role in making public policies. Types of public policies.
- The Essential: The Policy Cycle approach to public policy studiesPolicy cycle model. Stages of the policy cycle. Policy cycle as descriptive and prescriptive model.
- Policy Formulation & Shaping: Policy Transfer and DiffusionPolicy Transfer, policy diffusion, policy learning
- Policy Formulation & Shaping: Evidence-Based Policy-Making or Policy-Based Evidence-Making?Evidence-based policy-making, the problem of evidence manipulation, values in evidence-based policy analysis.
- Decision Making and Policy Change: Punctuated Equilibrium TheoryPunctuated equilibrium theory and analysis of budget spendings.
- Agenda Setting: Multiple Streams FrameworkMultiple Streams Framework. Problem, Policy, and Politics streams. Coupling. Policy entrepreneurs.
- Policy Formulation & Shaping: Advocacy Coalition FrameworkAdvocacy Coalition Framework. Advocacy coalitions, beliefs and their levels, coalitional resources.
- Qualitative and Quantitative Policy Evaluation: Where the Money GoesQuantitative and qualitative tools in policy evaluation.
- Policy Legitimation: Iron Triangle, Issue Networks, Policy Communities and Public OpinionPolicy legitimation
- Policy Implementation: Bureaucracy and ComplianceThe role of bureaucracy in policy implementation, bureaucratic stimuli. Barriers to compliance.
- Policy-making in RussiaPolicy-making process in Russia. Factors of successful reforms.
- “Speaking Truth to Power”: Policy Advisory SystemsThe role of policy advisors in policy-making. Policy Advisory Systems.
- Public Policy as a Subject and a Profession: Who is a Good Policy AnalystHow to be a good policy analyst? Skills and competencies.
- Conclusions: Revisions and ReflectionsRevision of the course material.
Assessment Elements
- In-class participation
- Quizzes
- Policy paper (team project)
- ExamThe retakes are in the same format and take place at the GoFormative platform (goformative.com) and are proctored via Zoom.
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (4 module)0.25 * Exam + 0.25 * In-class participation + 0.25 * Policy paper (team project) + 0.25 * Quizzes
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Cairney, P. (2016). The Politics of Evidence-Based Policy Making. New York: Palgrave Pivot. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1203451
- Thissen, W. A. H., & Walker, W. E. (2013). Public Policy Analysis : New Developments. New York: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=537663
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Shapiro, S. (2016). Analysis and Public Policy. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1194861