General information
-
Academic year:
- 2026
-
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:
-
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
5. The prospects of policy change
6. Public policies beyond the nation state
7. Governance and public policy
8. Public policy and the welfare state
9. Neoliberalism survival and public policy
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 |
40 |
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 |
5 |
No |
| Cases |
The average grade of the four exercises related to the practical sessions |
20 |
No |
| Global Week |
Activity connected with the second Global Week |
5 |
No |
Grading
*For the exam and the development of your own case, the minimum to pass is a 5/10. Without this, it is not possible to pass the subject. The cases (20%) the participation (5%) and the Global Week Activity (5%) are not possible to repeat in case of not delivery in time or not delivery at all.
In this subject the use of AI is allowed only for: grammar checking, translation purposes, initial search of bibliography. That is, in general, for mechanical non-creative tasks. The final work must be written by the student. In case of doubt, ask the teacher. In any case, the permitted use of AI must be explicitly recognized as bibliography and cited in the work (For example after a text in the document where you have used AI to translate you could say: (Translated from Catalan with the help of Chatgpt 2026)).
Additionally, you must have a disclosure section at the end, stating the use/not use of AI and for which purposes this use is. That means also marking which sections / paragraphs AI is used. Any other use, or not recognizing the use (any use, even the permitted ones), will lead to fail the exercise.
Note: Where the teaching staff has doubts about the authorship of any assessed work, the student may be called to attend an in-person or synchronous interview (which may be recorded), in order to verify their knowledge and competences and confirm the authorship of the work. If authorship cannot be confirmed, the assessment will receive a failing grade.
Specific criteria for the "No show" grade:
Failure to submit the assessment activities or to take the exam
Single Assessment:
Exam, that will include theory and questions about the practical cases.
The development of an own work 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
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.