| CODE | PPL5101 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Strategy, Policy Implementation and Review | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Policy | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit offers students a holistic treatment of the principles and methods by which strategic plans or choices are made, policy is implemented and evaluated. It focuses on the technical instruments applied in contemporary public administration, without neglecting the political context within which policy is made (and which is treated in the study-unit Politics and Public Policy). The study-unit addresses the following leading topics: - Making strategic choices in public policy and government; - Preparing strategic plans; - Evidence-based policy-making; - The design of policy instruments; - Principles of contemporary public management (including public-private partnerships); - Finding and managing resources (including public finance and EU funding); - Principles and methods of policy evaluation and review (including ranking, league tables, inquiries, parliamentary scrutiny). The study-unit emphasises learning by doing: much use is made of case studies and field investigations. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit is intended for candidates who already have some practical experience of policy-making or public management. It is designed to enhance their mastery of ideas and instruments that are commonly encountered in the field by building on the twin foundations laid in the study-units on 'research methods for policy and business', as well as their practical experience. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Comment knowledgeably and critically about the scientific or technical instruments applied in a given policy cycle; - Lay the ground for an exercise in evidence-based policy-making or a policy review, by identifying the problem or concern, assessing information needs and advising on data collection and analysis, recommending the appropriate composition of a multi-disciplinary team of experts, tracing the procedures and systems that are needed for decision-making and implementation; and drafting a memorandum to advise the final decision-makers; - Draft a substantial report (c.5000 words). 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Undertake decision-making under pressure of time or with limited information; - Plan small-scale policy-making cycles; - Write incisive briefs for decision-makers. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: Journals: - Journal of European Public Policy; - Public Administration; - Public Policy; - Research in Public Policy Analysis and Management; - Science and Public Policy. Supplementary Readings: - Major policy documents produced by the Government of Malta or the European Commission, including White and Green Papers on leading public policy issues such as the environment, public finance and competitiveness. - Major policy evaluation or audit reports produced by institutions such as the National Audit Office or the European Court of Auditors. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Marie Louise Mangion |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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