Policy Analysis: Decision, Implementation & Evaluation

Module description

This module provides an introduction to policy analysis: understanding how policy is made and its impact. The module introduces the concept of the policy process – understanding policy-making in terms of decision, implementation and evaluation. We will seek to understand why governments do some things, but not others, why policy is often not implemented effectively, and how we can judge and measure policy success and failure.  One of the aims of the module is to provide those students interested in writing a policy-focused dissertation in their third-year with the tools of policy analysis.  

Assessment details

2-hour written exam (50%) & 2,500-word essay (50%)

SEM1-only students will be given an appropriate alternative assessment for In person January exams.

Educational aims & objectives

• to introduce students to the idea of the policy process;
• to expose students to the principal theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding how policy is made, implemented, and how it can be evaluated;
• to provide students with sufficient expertise in policy analysis to enable them to complete a third-year dissertation on a case study of policy-making in a contemporary democracy

 

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should:

• know the principal theoretical approaches to understanding how policy is made;
• understand the nature of policy implementation and the pathologies often associated with implementation;
• have a good understanding of the principal techniques via which policy can be evaluated; be able to apply this knowledge to an empirical case of policy-making

 

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.