Indice degli argomenti

  • Informazioni generali sul corso


         The course provides basic concepts and tools for understanding public policies. Classes will have a practical focus; we will analyse existing policy programmes and experiment with the concepts and tools presented in class.
    We will run through the following topics: 1) when policy problems enter the government agenda and how to research policy problems, 2) how to design successful policy programmes, 3) why decision-makers select certain policies and not others, 4) what happens when a new programme is implemented, 5) how to monitor the performance of a policy and evaluate its effectiveness. Examples and case studies may include the following: public administration reforms, corruption prevention, higher education, social assistance, disaster relief, local development, environmental programmes and others.
    Attending students will be required to draft a policy project or short essay to be discussed during an oral exam. Non-attending students have to pass a written and oral exam based on the research material provided.  
    Readings will be provided during the course and made available directly to students.
    PLEASE NOTE: Classes will be online Monday 3:30-5:30pm; Wednesday 3:30-5:30pm. All classes will be in English, but don’t panic: basic language skills will make you get through successfully.

    RESEARCH MATERIAL


    Public policy Analysis

    • Author: William Dunn
    • Pages: Chapter 3

    A practical guide to policy analysis

    • Author: Eugene Bardach
    • Pages: 1-79

    Understanding policy decisions

    • Author: Bruno Dente
    • Pages: Chapter 6

    When Red Tape Saves Time

    • Author: Simone Busetti & Bruno Dente
    • Journal: International Review of Public Policy

    A theory-based evaluation of food waste policy

    • Author: Simone Busetti 
    • Journal: Food Policy

    Realist synthesis: An introduction



  • 1. Social problems: setting the agenda and measurement

  • 2. What governments do: programmes, tools, implementation

  • 3. Deciding what to do: policy decisions and strategies

  • 4. Understanding what works and why: design, implementation, context

  • 5. Did it work? Elements of evaluation research

  • Assignment: policy project