Introduction to Public Policy

Welcome to PUAD 2003AED Introduction to Public Policy, a 2000-level, three-credit-unit core course in HKMU's Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Administration and Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Public Administration.

PUAD 2003AED is designed for learners without prior knowledge from HKMU courses. The course is based on Hong Kong and Western research experience, and Hong Kong examples are used wherever appropriate.

Mode of delivery

This course is delivered in a print-based distance learning mode. The four study units in the course are self-contained and supplemented with necessary readings. Each unit includes a variety of guided activities and self-tests so as to engage you in your learning. You also have access to supporting materials on HKMU's Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Aims

The course aims to equip you with a thorough understanding of concepts and theories of public policy. In short, PUAD 2003AED aims to:

• develop and enhance your knowledge of public policy;
• introduce you to various approaches to policy studies, the stages of and actors involved in a policymaking process, and factors that affect the making of a public policy; and
• equip you with the knowledge and skills to analyse public policy.

Critical learning outcomes

Upon the completion of PUAD 2003AED, you should be able to:

• discuss various definitions of public policy and examine major types of public policies (L01);
• examine various theoretical foundations of public policy (L02);
• identify major policymakers, and assess their influence on a policymaking process (L03);
• evaluate factors and processes involved in agenda-setting, formulation,  adoption of public policy,  policy implementation, policy evaluation, policy change and policy termination (L04); and
• apply public policy concepts and theories to analyse different public policy issues (L05).

Materials

In addition to this Course Guide, the course has the following important components.

Study units

The course has four units, as follows.

Unit 1 The study of public policy

This unit introduces you to the study of public policy. It examines various definitions of public policy and the major types of public policy. This unit also introduces a useful framework for studying the policy process, namely the policy cycle framework. Finally, it examines how political ideologies affect policymakers, and reviews different theoretical approaches to public policy studies.

Unit 2 The policy context — Policy environments and policy actors

This unit discusses different policy environments and assesses their impacts on the policy-making processes. It then identifies both domestic and international policy actors and evaluates their influence on the policymaking processes. This unit also examines unofficial policy actors and their effects on the policymaking processes.

Unit 3 Agenda-setting, policy formulation and policy adoption

This unit studies the first three stages of a policymaking process, namely agenda-setting, policy formulation and policy adoption. It first examines what constitutes public problems and how public problems appear on government agenda. It reviews in detail the agenda-setting process. After that, the unit looks at what happens after a public problem is on the government's policy agenda — policy formulation. The policy formulation process is heavily influenced by the choice of policy instruments, which is a topic that this unit examines in detail. Finally, the unit studies the policy adoption process. It reviews different theories of public policy decision-making and explains why a policy option is being adopted.

Unit 4 Policy implementation, policy evaluation, policy change and policy termination

This unit discusses the last three stages of a policymaking process, including policy implementation, policy evaluation, policy change and policy termination. It first reviews different approaches to understanding the policy implementation process, different actors that are involved in the policy implementation process, and factors that can affect the success and failure of the implementation of a public policy. Next, the unit examines the policy evaluation process and reviews major types of policy evaluation. After that, it addresses the questions 'Who evaluates public policy?' and 'What are the major problems in policy evaluation?' Finally, the unit discusses what happens after the policy evaluation process, namely policy change and policy termination.

Set textbook

There is one textbook required for this course:

Howlett, M, Ramesh, M and Perl, A (2020) Studying Public Policy: Principles and Processes, 4th edn, Ontario, Canada: Oxford University Press.

Supplementary readings

Selected readings from academic journals and book chapters are used to enhance your knowledge acquisition and learning experience. You are required to read these supplementary readings as directed in the study units.

E-Library E-Reserve readings

You may be instructed to read articles in the E-Library E-Reserve. To read these items, go to the University E-Library and click E-Reserve. Log in, click Accept/Agree on the Copyright Restrictions page, fill in the Course Code box, and click Search.

Online and multimedia materials

You are required to have access to the Online Learning Environment (OLE) during the course of your studies.

Equipment needed (IT resources)

You will need to have access to a computer with an Internet connection to gain access to the OLE, as well as to some parts of the course.

Assignment File

For more information on the Assignment File, please refer to the Course Guide section on assessment that follows, and to the Assignment File itself.

Presentation Schedule

The Presentation Schedule is available on the Online Learning Environment (OLE). It gives the dates for the beginning and completion of each study unit, the due date of each assignment, and the dates of tutorials and the supplementary lecture.

Assessment

The study units include activities and self-tests for self-assessment so that you can monitor your learning progress throughout the course. In addition, the course has formal assessment requirements, including:

• two assignments (Assignments 1 and 2); and
• one final examination.

The assignments serve as continuous assessments within the study period, and contribute 50% of the total course mark. The other 50% is evaluated in the final examination.

Assignments

As noted above, there are two assignments for the course which together  count for 50% of your total course mark. The assignments comprise essay-type questions in which you need to apply and integrate course concepts/theories.

Final examination and grading

The final examination, which is at the end of the course, is of two hours' duration, and contributes 50% of the total course mark. The examination will consist of short and essay-type questions in which you again have to apply and integrate course concepts/theories.

The assessment items are outlined in the following table.

The following table gives a general overview of the course structure.

Although a considerable number of topics and readings are covered in this course, you should find studying it enjoyable and rewarding if you:

• attend as many tutorials as you can, plus the supplementary lecture;
• participate actively in the OLE's Discussion Board (asking and responding to questions and/or comments); and
• contact your tutor and/or Course Coordinator whenever you have questions about your study units, textbook, and/or the supplementary readings.

Public policy is about what the government does, which, needless to say, can affect the wellbeing of each and every one of us — and so is highly related to your own daily life. If you pay attention to what happens in your home town and in other countries around the world, you will easily find relevant cases to illustrate concepts and issues covered in the study units. You are therefore encouraged to develop the habit of reading newspapers and surfing the Internet to keep track of what is happening both locally and around the world.

Last but not least, you are encouraged to discuss any issue pertinent to the topics covered in the study units and readings during tutorials and/or via the OLE, and with your tutor and Course Coordinator. The more you do so, the better you will be able to comprehend the subject matter of public policy.

Tutors and tutorials

Tutors conduct the face-to-face non-compulsory tutorial sessions with a group of students (approximately 30) over the course presentation, according to the tutorial schedule. At these sessions, key course concepts are reviewed and reinforced; group and individual exercises conducted; topical issues discussed; individual student questions answered; and assistance provided related to assignments.

Tutors also make themselves available for weekly telephone contact at a time and phone number arranged with their tutorial groups. In addition to the tutorial work and telephone tutoring, tutors mark your assignments according to marking guides provided by your Course Coordinator. Tutors are encouraged to provide comprehensive and timely feedback to you.

There are five two-hour tutorials and a two-hour supplementary lecture. Although these are not compulsory, you are strongly urged to attend all of these face-to-face sessions.

Online support

The course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find course materials and the latest course information on the OLE. The Discussion Board on the OLE provides another learning avenue for you to interact with the Course Coordinator, your tutor, and your fellow students.

One can see a public policy as the blueprint for the government’s action on a public problem. Put differently, public policies are the government’s action plans that have a profound impact on the lives of all citizens. Understanding how the government makes policy, or why it decides to take action (or not take action) on a public problem should therefore be of concern to all of us. And since the world is becoming much more globalised than before, the roles of international actors and their influence on the domestic policymaking process is a subject that is attracting increasing attention in the study of public policy. This course also explores this topic in detail.

In order to understand the content of this course, you must study the course materials thoroughly and apply the concepts and theories learnt to analyse real-life cases.

Good luck with the course. We think you will find it an interesting one that gives you a greater understanding of an important aspect of the society in which you live.

The course developer, Dr Percy Lui, is currently a member of staff in the School of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU).

Dr Lui has been involved in designing and teaching university courses in politics and public administration, and also teaches postgraduate courses in Global Governance. He is currently the Programme Leader of the Public Administration programme (distance learning mode).