Sociology MA, Public Policy: Theory and Practice, 7.5 credits

Aim

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of public policy, encompassing both foundational concepts and the principal theories governing policy processes. By exploring scholarly literature and real-world examples, students will gain insight into applying these theories. Emphasizing a balanced approach, the course will examine the core challenges encountered by public policymakers, while integrating theoretical frameworks with practical case studies to offer a holistic perspective.

Course objectives

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• understand the key theories of the policy process and what they say about who and what influences public policy choices and design
  
  
• understand contemporary public policy challenges and evaluate approaches to resolving them
  
  
• analyse the complex interaction between national and international dynamics shaping policymaking and policy implementation
  
  
• analyse case studies of policymaking using a variety of policy-making theories and carry out independent, nuanced, and clear written analyses of the causes and consequences of specific policy outputs and outcomes

Content

Public policy is a purposive course of action based on public bodies' decisions to deal with social problems or concerns. In this class, we introduce public policy as a field of study and discuss research on what governments and societal actors choose to do or not do regarding risk, resilience, and work. The course deals primarily with the social processes that render crises and working life societally governable, i.e., how knowledge, power, and political ideas materialise into public policy. We study the most influential theories of the policy process and how they can be applied in the context of risk, resilience, and work, and discuss the aspect of science-informed policy. Furthermore, we highlight the practical side of policy processes, including the complex challenges societal actors face when they translate knowledge, interests, and politics into actionable policies. We exemplify this with cases on several social topics, such as social and political inequities, climate change, and natural resources.

Entry requirements

A bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in social or behavioural sciences, of whichaminimum of 60 credits in sociology. English course 6/English course B fromSwedishUpper Secondary School (Gymnasium) or the equivalent.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

Teaching is in the form of lectures and seminars.

Examination form

1000: Seminar, 1 Credits
Grade scale: Two-grade scale
In the event of absence from a mandatory seminar, a completion task is given.

2000: Exam Paper, 3.5 Credits
Grade scale: Three-grade scale

3000: Oral Assignment, 3 Credits
Grade scale: Three-grade scale

The course is examined through written- and oral assignment, and seminars.

Criteria for assessment: see discipline specific criteria: https://www.miun.se/gradingcriteria

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Examination restrictions

Students registered on this version of the syllabus are entitled to be examined three (3) times within one (1) year according to this syllabus. Thereafter, the latest version of the syllabus applies.

Grading system

Three-grade scale

Other information

Course certificates, credit transfers, appeals etc. are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance.