Undergraduate Course: Applied Policy Analysis (EDUA10209)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course introduces students to the theory and methodology of critical policy analysis. As such, it consolidates and extends the critical capacities developed by students throughout years one to three, especially in the courses: Ideology and social problems and Domains of practice 3; critical analysis. Specifically, this course builds on the rationale underpinning these earlier courses: namely, that the acumen to deconstruct and, if necessary, reconstruct policy discourses is an essential component of professional competence. Firstly, students are introduced to methods and conceptual frameworks for critical policy analysis, before moving on to operationalise these methods and frameworks by interrogating the ways in which relevant policy areas constrain and open up possibilities for communities and professional action within communities. Firstly, students are introduced to methods and conceptual frameworks for critical policy analysis, before moving on to operationalise these methods and frameworks by interrogating the ways in which relevant policy areas constrain and open up possibilities for professional action within communities. |
| Course description |
Academic Description
This is an honours-level course intended to equip students with a relatively advanced understanding of the purpose, theory and methodology of critical policy analysis. This course consolidates and extends the critical capacities developed by students through years one to three, especially in the courses 'Ideology and social problems' and 'Domains of practice 3: critical analysis'. Specifically, this course builds on the rationale underpinning these earlier courses: namely, that the acumen to deconstruct and, if necessary, reconstruct policy discourses is an essential component of professional competence. This is the case because social justice, empowerment and participatory democracy are core professional values. Thus, the course places particular emphasis on working together to apply practical strategies for analysing and shaping policy in socially just directions.
Indicative content
Firstly, students are introduced to methods and conceptual frameworks for critical policy analysis, before moving on to operationalise these methods and frameworks by interrogating the ways in which relevant policy areas constrain and open up possibilities for professional action. Students are also encouraged to think creatively about how such methods could be applied to educational interventions in community settings. We consider policy discourses in different domains (for example, wellbeing and employability) as well as at different scales (from the local to the transnational).
The first half of the course focuses on the theory and methodology of critical policy analysis. We explore Carol Bacchi's 'What's the problem represented to be?' approach. We explore Critical Discourse Analysis, drawing on the work of Fairclough and Wodak. We also explore working with frames, drawing on the work of Crompton and Lakoff.
In the second half of the course, we apply these methods to a range of relevant policy areas. Since policy is dynamic these policy areas are regularly revised and updated to reflect the current context. However, indicative content may include: employability, health and wellbeing, welfare, co-production, austerity, asset transfer and community ownership, housing, equality and diversity, sustainability and so on.
Learning experience
Sessions are two hours long. The first hour is comprised of a taught input and the second hour is comprised of a tutorial focused on applying theories and methods of critical policy analysis. Formative feedback will be offered in these tutorials, which students will be able to apply productively to the summative task. Students are also encouraged to consider critical policy analysis as a research method in its own right, and one which may be fruitfully employed in the dissertation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should contact the course organiser to determine if the course is suitable for them. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically analyse how politics and policy create opportunities and constraints for community educators
- 2. Understand the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of different approaches to critical policy analysis.
- 3. Apply methods of critical policy analysis in diverse contexts, including practice and academic research.
- Write effective policy briefings and advocate effectively.
- Understand the relevance of current intellectual debates to theoretical accounts of community, citizenship and democracy.
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Reading List
Bacchi, C. (2009) Women and the Construction of Policy Problems. London: Sage.
Bacchi, C. and Goodwin, S. (2016) Poststructural Policy Analysis: A Guide to Practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Fairclough, N. (2013) Critical discourse analysis and critical policy studies. Critical Policy Studies, 7(2): 177-197.
Gaffney, S. and Millar, M. (2020) Rational skivers or desperate strivers? The problematisation of fraud in the Irish social protection system, Critical Social Policy, 40(1): 69¿88.
Lakoff, G. (1990) Don¿t think of an elephant: Know your values and frame the debate. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green.
Pantazis, C. (2016) Policies and discourses of poverty during a time of recession and austerity. Critical Social Policy, 36(1): 3¿20.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1) Apply Knowledge Skills and Understanding
Apply methods of critical policy analysis in diverse practice settings.
Work with communities to shape policy debates and develop critical literacy.
Write effective policy briefings and advocate effectively.
Employ critical policy analysis as a research method.
2) Generic Cognitive Skills
Understand the purpose of critical policy analysis in community practice.
Understand the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of different approaches to critical policy analysis.
Critically analyse the politics of policy.
3) Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others
Ability to work with others using participatory methods and approaches.
Developing critically reflective practice.
Constructing and communicating cogent arguments to power holders and decision makers.
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| Keywords | Critical policy analysis,Discourse analysis,Feminist policy analysis,Policy analysis |
Contacts
| Course organiser | |
Course secretary | |
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