STV4428B – Theories of Public Policy and the Policy Process
Course content
Public policies are influenced by various aspects such as party politics, institutional factors, or lobbyism by non-state actors. In this course, students are introduced to a wide range of political science theories that are relevant for understanding the process of policymaking. While some of these approaches reveal how individuals or organizations can achieve surprising things, others point to more systemic factors. In the discussions and the term paper, participants will be challenged to take a stand on the advantages and disadvantages of different theories when explaining specific aspects of policymaking.
All the steps in the political decision-making process will be analyzed, ranging from an issue being put on the political agenda until political decisions are made and finally implemented and enforced. The course introduces public policy at both the national and international levels, and students are trained to understand how these different political levels influence and interact with each other.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Have a good understanding of what important political science theories say about who and what influences public policy choices and design.
- Understand how different political science theories can be used to understand the various steps in the decision-making process, from agenda setting to political decisions, and implementation.
- Have insights into the complex interaction between national and international dynamics shaping policy-making and -implementation.
- Be aware of the different challenges linked to the implementation of political decisions.
Skills
- Be able to analyze which factors explain policy change and decisions.
- Be able to form a well-founded opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of the most central explanatory approaches in the study of public policy.
- Be able to carry out independent, nuanced, and clear written analyses of the causes an consequences of specific political outputs/outcomes.
Competence
- Be able to assess what is politically possible/feasible to get adopted and implemented in specific cases, and be aware that the scope of political opportunities varies between policy fields, geographical areas, and over time.
- Be able to design concrete strategies for political influence, management, and implementation.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester?register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.?Apply for guest student status?if you are admitted to another Master`s programme (deadline 1 August / 5 January).
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelors degree in political science or equivalent.
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.
Mandatory activities:?
Submission of the outline of the term paper.
Present the outline of the term paper and comment on other students' outlines.
Absence from compulsory activities: For many courses, UiO requires participation in the form of compulsory activities. These must be approved before you can sit for the examination. If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed. Report absence from or the need for a postponed deadline on a compulsory activity Absence from compulsory activities - University of Oslo (uio.no).
Examination
Term paper
- The term paper must be between 3500 to 5000 words.
- It must have a topic reflecting the course readings and curriculum, but the student chooses the final topic.
- The final topic must be discussed with and approved by the course’s lecturers.
- The term paper is prepared by the submission of the outline of the paper before the seminar session.
- This outline consists of 1000 to 1500 words and is presented in the seminar.
- See more information on home exams in Inspera.?
Language of examination
You submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.