Module: POL5003-20 The art of the possible: political analysis and policy making

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: TBC

Module Tutor Contact Details: TBC

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module focuses on the development of key skills in political analysis, which is at once both a political art and an academic science, and in understanding the formulation of public policy. How is policy shaped by research and analysis? How do we analyse policy documents in order to strip out the intention from the rhetoric, the political spin from the policy substance? Where does the impetus for policy change come from? How has the formulation of policy changed over time, including as result of recent developments such as:

1. the political impacts of social media;

2. the role of ‘think-tanks’ and the outsourcing of policy development;

3. the influence of lobby groups and ‘stakeholders’;

4. ‘single issue’ movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter

5. the role of the ‘expert’ and challenges to authority based on expertise

2. Outline syllabus:

The modules will cover a variety of themes, such as:

• The traditional skills of political analysis.

• Research methods and evidence-based analysis in policy-making.

• Polling and focus groups.

• Preparing, presenting and ‘reverse engineering’ political communications.

• Briefing and counter-briefing.

• Spin and the spin-doctors.

• The soundbite and the pivot.

• Deconstructing the opponent: attack and defence strategies.

• Political analysis in a world of 280 characters.

• The decline of the expert?

• Political analysis in a populist age.

• The ‘independent’ analyst: think tanks.

• The lobby and lobbyists

• Single issue campaigns and political analysis.

• The role of journalism and public scrutiny: holding policy makers to account

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Seminars, presentations, workshops, visits (including self-directed visits), tutorials

Reading and exploration of core texts; discussion and analysis

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Policy briefing document and counter-briefing document (2000 words)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Policy analysis and review (3000 words)

• % Weighting: 60%