ESF:MPV_ANVP Public policy analysis - Course Information

MPV_ANVP Public Policy Analysis

Extent and Intensity

2/2/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. (lecturer)
Ing. Marek Pavlík, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

doc. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc.
Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Jana Biskupová
Supplier department: Department of Public Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration

Prerequisites

No special prerequisites are set up. Lectures are in English, and required readings are also in English. The prerequisite is therefore a normal level of comprehension of spoken and read text.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• Educational Management (programme FF, N-MNGV)
• Public Economics and Administration (programme ESF, N-VES)

Abstract

The aim of the course is to acquire and consolidate the necessary competences for independent critical evaluation of public policies, especially their impact, design and implementation. The application of analytical methods and the development of critical thinking beyond just public policy. The course also emphasises the development of soft skills in argumentation, presentation, and knowledge synthesis.

Learning outcomes

Student will be able to:
- evaluate the outputs and outcomes of public policies
- to analyse the process of policy formulation and implementation
- to apply selected methods of economic analysis to policy issues

Key topics

• Outline:
• 1) Basic principles, values and problems of public policy - What shapes policy?
• 2) Structuring policy problems.
• 3) Elements and methods of analysis.
• 4) Methods of analysis - Predicting future developments - principles and procedures.
• 5) Policy evaluation, rationality criteria, evaluation methods.
• 6) Analysis of implementation processes.
• 7) Analysis of the roles of public policy actors.
• 8) Construction of policy arguments.
• 9) Policy recommendations.
• 10) Case studies, presentation of own seminar projects.

Study resources and literature

required literature
• Náhradní obsah: DUNN, William N. Public policy analysis. Sixth edition. Taylor & Francis, 2018. ISBN 9781138743830.

recommended literature
• KRAFT, M. E., FURLONG, S.R.: Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. 8th edition. Sage/CQ Press. 2024. ISBN 1071858394, 9781071858394
• Potůček, M., Pavlík, M. a kol.: Veřejná politika. Výstup projektu OPVK 2015
• HOWLETT, Michael and M. RAMESH. Studying public policy : policy cycles and policy subsystems. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003, v, 311. ISBN 0195417941. info
• DYE, Thomas R. Understanding public policy. 11th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005, xvii, 356. ISBN 0131174525. info
• CAIRNEY, Paul. Understanding public policy : theories and issues. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012, xvii, 327. ISBN 9780230229709. info

not specified
• BROMELL, D.: Policy Analysis A Practical Introduction. Springer (2024). ISBN: 978-3-031-55363-9 (paperback), 978-3-031-55364-6 (ebook)

Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

lectures; group discussions,; readings; group work
Participation in lectures and seminars is expected. Attendance is recorded using an ISIC card. Minimum attendance: 50% of total teaching.  For the current Spring 2026 semester, a total of 11 lectures and 11 seminars are scheduled, i.e., 22 possible attendances, so the minimum attendance is 11.

Any attendance fraud may result in an FF assessment, depending on the severity.

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

The course assessment combines a number of compulsory and optional activities. Students must earn at least 10 points during the semester in order to take the final exam. These points are included in the overall assessment.

Compulsory activities:

-       Online midterm test during Reading Week. The test covers the material from weeks 2-7 – max. 5 points

- Presentation of seminar paper – Up to 10 points can be earned for the paper. The content, level of methods used, solutions, and work with sources are evaluated on a scale of 0-6 points, and the formal, visual, and rhetorical aspects are evaluated on a scale of 0-4 points. 

Optional activities:

- Excellent attendance – with a total attendance of 80% or higher, students will receive 4 points towards their grade. For the spring semester of 2026, there are 17 recorded attendances.

- Active participation in lectures (KVIS test with three questions) – There are a total of 9 KVIS tests (weeks 3-12, except week 8) with a maximum of 27 correct answers. Students receive 1 point for 14 or more correct answers and 2 points for 20 or more correct answers.

- Presentation of seminar paper in English 2 points

- Debate with a "bot" – students prepare a counterargument to ChatGPT's "opinion" on a controversial topic. 2 points

- Voluntary homework 1 point, can be completed 3 times during the semester.

More detailed information on the activities is provided in the Interactive Syllabus.

The exam then consists of a final test (max. 50 points)

and the completion of a written Executive summary of selected policy/political issue (max. 40 points). Details are provided in the Interactive Syllabus.

Grading based on score:
A 92+
B 84-91
C 76-83
D 68-75
E 60-67

Alternate completion

In the case of a foreign internship, it is possible to take the course in an alternative form, the compensation for the points earned for active participation in the class will be determined individually by agreement.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.

Teacher's information

In case the student enrols in the course during his/her trip abroad, he/she must contact the course supervisor and agree on the conditions of the course. We prefer to accept analogous courses taken abroad, as long as there is a reasonable overlap in topics.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2027, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/econ/spring2027/MPV_ANVP