Masters in Civic Society and Local Development In conjunction with the National University of Ireland Galway & Karl-Franzens University Graz MCSLD - http://www.unipr-mcsld.com Winter Semester 2008/2009 Module: Public Policy and Local Government - Syllabus UP Lecturers: 1. Driton Qehaja (Head Lecturer) 4 hrs 2 sessions 2. Ilire Agimi 8 hrs - 4 sessions 3. Violeta Hamidi 4 hrs 2 sessions NUI Galway Lecturer: 1. Liam Coen 8 hrs 4 sessions Course Hours: Total Hours = 24 NUI Galway = 8 UP = 16 Course Aim: The aim of this course is to introduce the MCSLD students to the concepts and study of public policy and engaging them in analyzing critically and explaining effectively how issues facing societies become public policy. The course also aims to present the students with various approaches and theories explaining policy formation and implementation and its relevance to democracy. Furthermore, the course presents the students to analysis of policy importance to globalization and economic development. The last section of the course focuses on participation in the policy-making process by citizen, civil society representatives etc. A special focus will be given to minority representation and the issue of ethnicity in this participation. Course Outcomes: - Students have a thorough understanding of the foundations of the study of public policy, of the various stakeholders involved in the policy process and of the effects public policy has on the local and national level.
- Students are able to identify, explain and apply key concepts of the public process in any issues they analyze. - Students are aware of the various models of policy formulation and can develop comprehensive analysis of current policy issues. - Students have strengthened/improved problem-solving skills and analytical-thinking skills through a critical examination of the policy process. TOPICS: 1. Introduction to course, topics, assignments/exam 2. Policy Decision Making in Historical Context 3. Models of Policy Processes 4. Agenda Setting Power and Interest Groups 5. Policymaking and Implementation 6. Globalization & Economic Policy 7. Civic Participation and Policy Effects 8. Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion in the Local Public Policy Process NUI Galway Lecturer Topics (visit preferably to be held in January) 1. Coalitions & networking 2. Europeanization 3. Local government systems in Europe 4. Enhancing participation: New forms of Interaction between civil society and local government GRADING: 20 % participation 30 % Seminar 50% Final exam Grading scale: Percentage Points Grade % below 55 FAIL % 55-60 (pass) 6 (pass) % 61 70 7
% 71-89 8 % 81-90 9 % 91 100 10 Total points available 100 ASSIGNMENT & EXAM: Seminar: - Seminar topics are the topics of lectures/sessions and mentors are those lecturers who held the session. Mentors for seminars are Driton Qehaja, Ilire Agimi, Violeta Hamidi & Liam Coen (if agreed) - Topics and groups are assigned during first lectures (Driton Qehaja) - 5 groups of students (3 x 3, 2 x 4 students) - Seminar is 5-8 pg. including references. - Deadline for submitting seminars: 31 December 2008. - Seminar is delivered through a presentation in January in front of all the lecturers. It s evaluation is given on that day of the presentation. Exam: - Exam is in February. Final date to be decided. - Exam is worth 50% of the grade. It includes 3 questions w/ paragraph answers + 1 essay.
SCHEDULE Topic Schedule Reading I. Introduction to Public Policy Week one: 06 th 10 th October Introduction to course, topics, assignments/exam Session 1 Lecturer: Driton Qehaja No reading requirements Globalization & Economic Policy Session 2 Lecturer: Dritan Qehaja Harriss-White, Barbara, eds. Globalization and Insecurity: Political, Economic and Physical Challenges. New York: Palgrave, 2002. 2. Policy Formation Week two: 13 th 17 th October Policy Decision Making in Historical Context Session 3 Lecturer: Violeta Hamidi Anderson, James. Public Policymaking: An Introduction. Parsons, W. Public Policy: An introduction to the Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis. Week 3: 20 th 24 th October Agenda Setting Power and Interest Groups Session 4: Violeta Hamidi Dye, Thomas J. Understanding Public Policy Week 4: 27 th 31 st October Models of Policy Processes Session 5 Lecturer: Ilire Agimi Howlett, M and Ramesh, M. Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and policy Subsystems. Hveen, Helge and Kristen Nordhaug. Public Policy in the Age of Democratization.
Week 5: 3 rd 7 th November 3. Policy Implementation Policymaking and Implementation Session 6: Lecturer: Ilire Agimi Guest lecturer: Kraft, Michael and Scott Furlong. 2006. Public Policy John, Peter Analyzing Public Policy Held, D, MCGrew, A, Goldblatt, D and Perrraton, J. Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture: Cambridge: Polity Press Week 6: 10 th 14 th November Civic Participation and Policy Effects 4. Participation in Policy Processes Session 7: Lecturer: Ilire Agimi Dye, Thomas. Policy Analysis: What Governments Do, Why They Do It, What Difference It Makes. Stone, Deborah. Policy Paradox in Action. In Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making. Week 7: 17 th 21 st November Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion in the Local Public Policy Process 5. Local Government Session 8: Lecturer: Ilire Agimi Rata, Elizabeth and Roger Openshaw Public Policy and Ethnicity Denters, Bas and Rose, Lawrence E. (eds). Comparing Local Governance: Trends and Developments. Nagel, Stuart. Handbook of Public Policy Evaluation.
Week 8: 24 th 28 th November Comparison of local government & policy formation: Georgia, Albania and Kosovo Week 9: 1 st 5 th December 6. Special lectures Case studies Special lecture *This may change to accommodate NUI Galway lecturer! Guest Lecturer: Barry Reed RTI International, Local Government Expert NUI Galway Guest Lecturer Liam Coen Week 10: 08 th 12 th December Work on Seminars Sessions 9-12 (4 sessions/8 hours) Traveling Lecturer for Course: Public Policy Lecturer: Violeta Selimi - Europeanization - Local government systems in Europe - Coalitions & networking - Enhancing participation: New forms of Interaction between civil society and local government In class work on seminars with mentors. Week 11: 22 nd 26 th December Deadline for seminars Winter break Week 12: 19 th 23 th January 2009 Presentation of seminars All student and mentors must be present.
Week 13: FEBRUARY EXAM
Literature: - Harriss-White, Barbara, eds. Globalization and Insecurity: Political, Economic and Physical Challenges. New York: Palgrave, 2002. - Kraft, Michael and Scott Furlong. 2006. Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. Washington DC: CQ Press. - Anderson, James. 2005. Public Policymaking: An Introduction. New York: Houghton Mifflin. - Nagel, Stuart. 2002 ed. Handbook of Public Policy Evaluation. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications. - Howlett, M and Ramesh, M. 2003. Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and policy Subsystems. London: Oxford University Press. - Parsons, W. 1995. Public Policy: An introduction to the Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. - John, Peter. 2000. Analysing Public Policy. London: Continuum. - Held, D, MCGrew, A, Goldblatt, D and Perrraton, J. 1999. Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture: Cambridge: Polity Press - Denters, Bas and Rose, Lawrence E. (eds). 2005. Comparing Local Governance: Trends and Developments. Palgrave Macmillan. - Dye, Thomas J. l987. Understanding Public Policy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. - Dean Ritz, ed. 2003. Defying Corporations, Defining Democracy (published by Project on Corporations, Law, and Demoracy). - Rata, Elizabeth and Roger Openshaw, Public Policy and Ethnicity. Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 - Hveen, Helge and Kristen Nordhaug. 2003. Public Policy in the Age of Democratization. Palgrave Macmillan. - Dye, Thomas. 1976. Policy Analysis: What Governments Do, Why They Do It, What Difference It Makes. University of Alabama Press. - Heidenheimer, Arnold T. et al. 1990. Comparative Public Policy (3 rd edition). New York: St. Martin s Press. - Stokey, Edith and Zeckhauser, Richard. 1978. A Primer for Policy Analysis. New York: Norton. - Stone, Deborah. 2002. Policy Paradox in Action. In Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making. Revised Edition. W.W. Norton and Company.