Overview
The MA in Public Policy is designed as a one year full-time, or two year part-time taught programme which offers students the opportunity to engage critically with the field of public policy. The programme consists of a broad-based multi-disciplinary curriculum.
The 180 credit degree programme is designed as follows:
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Core taught modules (40 credits)
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Specialist optional modules (80 credits)
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The research dissertation (60 credits)
Core Modules
A core module is one where the coursework and assessments have to be taken and passed to progress on the programme. The three core modules which have to be taken by every student as part of the MA Public Policy are:
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7SSPP001 Policy Process (20 credits)
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7SSPP002 Comparative Public Policy (20 credits)
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7SSPP003 Research Dissertation (60 credits)
The Policy Process and Comparative Public Policy modules run over two semesters (usually on a Wednesday) and with Research Design for Public Policy provides the analytic framework and perspective for exploring issues raised by the option modules.
7SSPP001 The Policy Process (20 credits)
This 20 credit module is designed to introduce students to the study of the policy-making process and the role of policy analysis. It aims to give a comprehensive survey of the key literature, themes and issues in the study of policy making, first by critically examining the ideas of the 'policy cycle' and its several 'stages', secondly by considering the roles of key actors and thirdly by examining the processes of agenda-building, policy 'framing' and the translation of policy into action. The second part of the course takes these themes forward through a series of case studies.
Assessment: 1 x 1,500 word essay and 1 x 3,500 essay
Module Convenor: Professor Ken Young / Dr Juan Baeza
7SSPP002 Comparative Public Policy (20 credits)
By examining a series of common issues in comparative context, the course aims to deepen the student's understanding of the working of the policy process in different societies. The specific aims of the course are to: enable the student to engage with a range of substantive policy problems; illuminate the importance of social and political context in shaping policy responses; consolidate understanding of the role of actors and processes; and highlight the value of conceptual analysis in the comparative study of public policy.
Assessment: 1 x 1,500 word essay and 1 x 3,500 essay
Module Convenor: Dr Alex Afonso
7SSPP003 Public Policy Dissertation (60 credits)
A dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits) has to be completed by every student as this is a core module. Additionally, students have to write and present a dissertation proposal. In the research dissertation the student has a chance to demonstrate the ability to employ relevant concepts, address substantive policy issues and marshal evidence on a topic of their own choosing.
Students choose their own topic for the dissertation but it must fall within the remit of your programme of study and must be approved by a member of the MA teaching team, who will nominate a supervisor. If you are a part-time student, you are advised to take the core modules in your first year of study and write your dissertation in your second year.