SOC605 Sociology of Public Policy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2016
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Michal Vašečka, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Ladislav Rabušic, CSc.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 17:00–18:30 U35
Prerequisites
Course SOC 605 „Sociology of public policy“ has been prepared for students of MA level of Sociology studies at the Faculty of Social Studies of the Masaryk University. Students can obtain as many as 10 credits.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Sociology of Public Policy deals with terms connected to processes of creation of public policy and analysis current trends of theories and models both in the Czech republic and worldwide. Course offers understanding of how to evaluate policies ex-ante, ongoing, and ex post. Course informs students about projects logic applicable to EU projects. In the sphere of ex-ante analysis of public policies course offers students chances to analyse selected aspects of public policy analysis.
Syllabus
  • 1st Seminar: Introduction into Public Policy Analysis
  • 2nd Seminar: Creation of Policy as a Solution of a Problem
  • 3rd Seminar: Reasons for Creation of Public Policy
  • 4th Seminar: Transparency and Corruption in Public Policy
  • 5th Seminar: Goals of Public Policy Tools
  • 6th Seminar: Evaluation, Criteria, and Indicators; Methods and Tools
  • 7th Seminar: Social Policy
  • 8th Seminar: Education Policy
  • 9th Seminar: Health Policy
  • 10th Seminar: Civil Society Support Policy
  • 11th Seminar: Migration Policy
  • 12th Seminar: Presentations of Students
Literature
  • Morse, Kristin – Struyk, Raymond (2006). Policy Analysis for Effective Development. Lynne Rienner Publishers.
  • Sabatier, P. (1999). Theories of the Policy Process. Part 2. – „Alternative Views of the Role of Rationality in the Policy Process.
  • Edelman, Murrey (1988). Constructing the Political Spectacle. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
  • Bardach, Eugene (2000). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis. Berkeley, CA: University Academic Press.
  • Patton, M.Q. (2008). Utilisation Focused Evaluation, 3rd ed. Sage Publications.
  • Staroňová, Katarína (2009). Hodnotenie vplyvov: Regulatory Impact assessment v teórii a praxi Slovenska a Európskej Únie. Bratislava: ÚVP.
  • Morra-Imas, L., Rist C. R. (2008). The Road to Results: Designing and Conducting Effective Development Evaluations. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Publications.
  • Pal, Leslie (2001). Beyond Policy Analysis: Public Issues Management in Turbulent Times. 2nd Ed. Ontario: Nelson Thomson Learning. Chapter I – Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice.
  • Stone D., (1997). Policy Paradox. The Art of Political Decision Making, W.W.Norton and Comp. New York, London. Chapter – Equity.
  • Veselý Arnošt – Nekola, Martin (eds.) (2007). Analýza a tvorba veřejných politik: přístupy, metody a praxe. Praha: Slon.
  • Weimer, D. and A. R. Vining (1999). Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
  • Vašečka, Michal, 2007: Sociologické aspekty korupcie. Bratislava, Transparency International Slovakia.
  • Cartier-Bresson, J. 1997. „Corruption Networks, Transaction security and Illegal Social Exchange“. In: Political Corruption. Oxford, Malden: Blackwell Publishers: 47– 60.
  • Hatry, H. – Blair, L. – Fisk, D. (1987). Program Analysis for State and Local Governments. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute.
  • Howlett, M. & M. Ramesh (1995). Chapter 5: Agenda Setting – Policy Determinants a Policy Windows.
Teaching methods
Course is 1 semester long and it is organized in the form of a lecture (45 minutes) and following seminar (45 minutes), 2 hours every week. Students have most of texts available in the IS system, mostly texts published in the Czech republic are available in libraries and bookstores.
Assessment methods
Pre-conditions for completing a course:
1. Systematic work;
2. Public Policy presentation;
3. Submitting of a final essay;

Evaluation system:
Each student can obtain 50 points maximum, in case of reaching less than 25 points student fails. Particular activities of students will be evaluated as follows:
48 % - Public policy presentation /max. 24 points/
52 % - Essay /max. 26 points/

Evaluation is based upon these principles:
50 - 45 points A
44 - 40 points B
39 - 35 points C
34 - 30 points D
29 - 25 points E
24 - 0 points F
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2016/SOC605