OVERVIEW

The course introduces the fundamental concepts in the analysis and evaluation of public policies. Lessons will alternate theoretical reflections on policy analysis and empirical concerns about public policies. The course has the main aim to improve students' capability in application of the theoretical tools learned. The teaching (ssd - SPS / 04) belongs to the training activities characterizing the study course and it is entrusted to an adjunct professor.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course offers a critical view of the theoretical, epistemological and methodological assumptions of public policy analysis. The course embraces a perspective that assumes policies as problem solving activities and, in this sense, will critically discuss the interaction between power and knowledge within decision making processes and their role as mechanisms of policy change.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the students are expected to acquire:

1. An in-depth knowledge of the main concepts of public policy analysis
2. Awareness of the criticalities of policy tools with respect to the achievement of expected outcomes
3. Ability to develop indicators for the evaluation of intervention programs
4. Ability to reconstruct and analyse a policy process
5. Awareness of the main determinants of policy change.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will alternate lectures with seminars. The active participation of students is a characterizing element and, compatibly with the number of participants, students will be asked to present and discuss original case studies.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is organised into four Didactic Units (UD):

UD1 – Policy analysis: Basic concepts

UD2 – Agency in policy analysis

UD3 – Policy instruments

UD4 – Policy change

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attending students

Dente B. (2011), Le decisioni di policy, il Mulino, Bologna

Additional readings will be assigned by the lecturer.

Non attending students

Dente B. (2011), Le decisioni di policy, il Mulino, Bologna

Busetti S. e Dente B. (2018) EXPOst. Le conseguenze di un grande evento, il Mulino, Bologna.

Suggested reading for all students

Hirschman, A. O. (1991). The rhetoric of reaction. Harvard University Press. (Ed. it. Retoriche dell’intransigenza, il Mulino, Bologna).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO DI GIULIO (President)

GIAMPIERO CAMA

FABRIZIO COTICCHIA

STELLA GIANFREDA

MARA MORINI

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be held orally. For attending students, it will be based on the individual work agreed with the teacher

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam includes evaluation of the theoretica and empirical topics discussed during the course and presented in textbooks.

The individual presentation is aimed for verify the actual expected learning outcomes related to: 1) public policy analysis within political and social context, actors involved and inter-institutional relations; 2) evaluate policies by using indicators, theoretical and technical tools provided during the lessons.

Exam schedule