module specification

This module offers students the chance to understand the inner workings of policy making, critically evaluate current local, national government and sector policy, and understand how to write policies.

Students will explore how policies are developed including considering the role of the media, public opinion, public consultation, lobbying, special advisors, political and economic ideology and funding on the policy development process.

The module will give space to allow students to understand how to critique a policy through using case studies that are relevant to their field of work before exploring developing their own policy position.

The module aims are as follows:

• To consider and critically engage with key concepts of policy making;
• To provide an understanding of the factors that influence localised, national and international policies;
• To gain a comprehension of the role of business and civil society in policy development;
• To explore the dynamics between funding and policy;
• To understand the policy making process.

This is a core module for the Dprof  Crime, Policy and Security.

N/A

Module Introduction and overview of the theoretical debates around policy making (1-5)
Here students will be introduced to the main theoretical debates that around policy making and are introduced to the main concepts and factors relating to policy making.

The politics of policy making (1-2, 5)
Here students will evaluate how politics, bargaining and ideology influences policy positions and what gets agreed upon as official policy

The economics of policy decisions (1-2)
Here students will consider the role of economic ideology, the state of the economy has on policy decisions. Students will also explore the role of pressure groups and business in shaping local, national and international policy. Here students will be given space to analyse a policy relevant to their professional sector to consider the influence of different parties

The role of civil society in policy making (3)
Here students will critically analyse the role civil society campaigns in influencing policy making. This will include exploring how campaigns are mobilised, funded and develop from small grassroots movements to large national and international organisations.

Consulting the public (4)
Here students will focus on understanding the dynamics and importance of public consultations as well as exploring how to effectively consult the public when designing policy

Data and expertise (5)
Here students will consider the role of expert advisors and data in what is both a highly politicised and increasingly post truth space. Students will apply this knowledge to a key policy from their professional sector and explore whether a more effective position could be established

Developing policy positions (6)
Students will be supported to apply their understanding of the policy process to analyse a particular issue from their field of expertise and develop credible policy recommendations

This module is delivered through a blended learning module that will include one intensive three-day block, supported by three peer and tutor lead online seminars throughout the semester and additional individual tutorial times for each student

Students will be required to prepare for lectures by reading the core texts and complete online activities prior to the block teaching and seminar sessions including leading part of one of the seminars.

In addition to this, students are expected to engage in independent study to prepare for and write their assignments, though tutorial space will be made available to feedback on and assignment plans. Students are encouraged to develop case studies from their own profession which can be used within the seminars as the basis for discussion and peer review. The teaching methods will include group work, lectures, guest lectures, workshops, and appraisal of audio-visual material. Recommended reading will be available to support each session. Additional electronic material and useful websites will be made available via Weblearn

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

1. Identify the political, ideological and economic factors involved in policy making
2. Critically evaluate the role of business and finance in the policy process
3. Critically evaluate the role of civil society in policy making
4. Understand and analyse the role of public opinion and public consultation within the policy making process
5. Critically analyse the influence that data and expertise have on policy decisions

There will be two assessments for this module.

A policy report on a current government policy related to the profession
A policy paper on a current issue within the student’s professional sector

Both assessments can be delivered as a 2000 word written piece of work or a 5 minute digital artefact with accompanying script and references

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/lists/BBD05520-148F-CC75-D314-3F60D0A42DCA.html