Governance, Politics and Public Policy (POLS 431)

2019 Spring
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Political Science(POLS)
3
6
Mehmet Kerem Çoban kerem.coban@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
SPS101 SPS102
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture
Discussion based learning,Project based learning,Case Study
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CONTENT

Global trends pertaining to public administration and policy process ( with particular emphasis on OECD and the EU ); challenges to government and government failure ( patronage, nepotism, clientelism, corruption ); key concepts related to the policy process ( governance, bureaucratic politics, institutional analysis, instrumental approach, rational choice, ); stages of the policy making process ( problem identification, formulation of policy alternatives, policy adoption and legitimization , implementation, evaluation ); case studies

OBJECTIVE

In the course, an attempt will be made to link certain basic concepts in political science and public administration to the public policymaking process. Governance as a key concept will be dealt with in demystifying the relations among various actors involved in the policy process. The course will be concluded with discussions related to the appropriate mechanisms, tools, and levels of public policymaking to render results to constitute effective responses to needs and challenges.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • By the end of the Course, students are expected: 1) Apply the policy framework developed during the course to various cases, in different policy areas 2) Appreciate the multi-faceted nature of the policy process 3) Have a clear understanding of the governance approach in the policy process 4) Distinguish and interrelate the various stages related to the policy process 5) Interrelate politics, administration, polity and policy 6) Comprehend the reasons for state/government failure 7) Critically assess the responses to state/government failure

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 3

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 3

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 3

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 4

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 3


1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 1

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose. 1

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 1

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose. 1

5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas. 1

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development. 3

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 1

8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions.


1. Develop knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in humanities and social sciences. 3

2. Assess how global, national and regional developments affect society. 5

3. Know how to access and evaluate data from various sources of information. 4


1. Understand and follow changes in patterns of political behavior, ideas and structures. 4

2. Develop the ability to make logical inferences about social and political issues on the basis of comparative and historical knowledge. 4

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Midterm 25
Assignment 30
Term-Paper 30
Participation 10
Other 5

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

Knill, Christoph, and Jale Tosun. 2012. Public Policy: A New Introduction. London: Palgrave MacMillan.

Cairney, Paul. 2020. Understanding Public Policy: Theories and Issues. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Readings

Please refer to the syllabus. Please note that you are assigned additional readings each week. The syllabus also involves suggested readings which are relevant to the theme of the session.

Optional Readings

- Howlett, Michael, M Ramesh, and Anthony Perl. 2009. Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles & Policy Subsystems. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
- Weible, Christopher M., and Sabatier, Paul B. (eds). 2018. Theories of the Policy Process. 4th ed. Abingdon: Routledge.
- Araral, Eduardo, Scott Fritzen, M. Howlett, M. Ramesh, and Wu Xun (eds). 2013. Routledge Handbook of Public Policy. Abingdon: Routledge.
- Peters, Guy B. 2015. Advanced Introduction to Public Policy. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
- Considine, Mark. 2005. Making Public Policy. Cambridge. UK: Polity Press.
- Birkland, Thomas A. 2020. An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy Making. 5th ed. Abington, OX: Routledge.
- Peters, Guy B., and Philippe Zittoun (eds). 2016. Contemporary Approaches to Public Policy: Theories, Controversies and Perspectives. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Dodds, Anneliese. 2013. Comparative Public Policy. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (Introduction to comparative public policy)
- Bekkers, Victor, Menno Fenger, and Peter Scholten. 2017. Public Policy in Action: Perspectives on the Policy Process. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. (An introductory text on the policy process)
- Baumgartner, Frank R., Christian Breunig, and Emiliano Grossman (eds). 2019. Comparative Policy Agendas: Theory, Tools, Data. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
- Compton, Mallory, and Paul ?t Hart (eds). 2019. Great Policy Successes. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (Available open access online)