Estudia

General information

Academic year:

2025

Description:

Public policy involves decisions to act or not act, usually (but not only) by government, in response to public problems. Knowing and analysing public policies allows students to understand the most socially relevant values and the conflicts behind the policies. This course explores the theoretical underpinnings of policy-making, including problem identification and construction, agenda-setting and decision-making. Students learn to classify different types of policies and to understand the critical role of both state and non-state actors in their development. Through the analysis of real cases, the course provides a critical understanding of contemporary challenges in global public policy and the importance of coordinating resources and networks for effective action.

ECTS credits:

6

Course coordinator:

Anaïs Varo Barranco

Groups

Group DS

Duration:

One-semester, 2nd semester

Teaching staff:

Artur Rubinat Lacuesta

Language of the classes:

English (100%)

Group EA

Duration:

One-semester, 2nd semester

Teaching staff:

Artur Rubinat Lacuesta

Language of the classes:

English (100%)

Syllabus

1. Introduction to public policy.

2. Actors of public policy

3. Theories of public policy

4. The public policy cycle and policy change

5. Public policy and the welfare state

6. Neoliberalism public policy and its critics

7. Understanding public policy in reality – examples from the world

Activities

Activity type	Hours with a teacher	Hours without a teacher	Virtual hours with a teacher	Total
Others	5,00	10,00	0	15,00
Analysis / case study	15,00	40,00	0	55,00
Debate	20,00	0	0	20,00
Assessment test	5,00	15,00	0	20,00
Participatory class	20,00	0	0	20,00
Hands-on class	20,00	0	0	20,00
Total	85,00	65,00	0	150

Bibliography

• Subirats, Joan (2012). Análisis y gestión de políticas públicas (1ª ed. en aquesta presentació). Barcelona: Ariel. Catàleg
• Knill, C., & Tosun, J. (2020). Public policy: A new introduction. Blomsbury Publishing.

Assessment and Grading

Assessment activities:

Description of the activity	Assessment Activity	%	Remediable subject
Exam	Theory exam	30	Yes
Development of own case	Course work. Develop a case of own choice	30	Yes
Participation and Debate	Active participation and debate during the sessions	10	No
Cases	The average grade of the answers given by the student in relation each case developed in the practical session	20	No
Global Week	Activity connected with the second Global Week	10	No

Grading

In the exam and the development of the case work, the minimum to pass is a 5/10. Without this is not possible to pass the subject. The cases (20%) the participation (10%) and the Global Week Activity (10%) are not possible to repeat in case of not delivery in time or not delivery at all.

It the case of the detection of plagiarism in any of the evaluation activities the student will not pass the course.

Specific criteria for the "No show" grade:
Failure to submit the assessment activities or to take the exam

Single Assessment:
Exam, that will include questions about the practical cases + course work development of a case

Minimum requirements to pass:
To pass the course, a minimum grade of 5.0 is required.

Mentorship

Tutorial sessions must be requested via email.

Recommended subjects

• Política i poder avui

Design Amendment

Amendment of activities:
In case of exceptional circumstances, sessions and assessment activities will be adapted as needed, while maintaining the basic structure of the course and the core assessment tasks.