ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF PUBLIC POLICIES

Learning the main concepts for the empirical study of public policies. Understanding the logic of policy evaluation and its methodological problems.

None specifically. A basic knowledge of the fundamentals of Political Science, Sociology, Public Law, and Methods of Social Research can be of help.

Knowledge and understanding: students will acquire the knowledge needed in order to place public policies and their evolution in a comparative framework; they will learn the fundamentals of the analysis and evaluation of public policies, including, among other things, the policy cycle, the policy tools, the methodology of evaluation, the different types of evaluation. Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding: thanks to the analysis of specific cases, exercises and discussions, students will develop their capacity to apply the knowledge and the methodological approach learned to the study of the Italian public policy system, the interpretation of specific policy processes within the context of the European Union, and the evaluation of individual measures. Such capacity is remarkably relevant in the professional world, especially for civil servants and consultants working for the implementation and improvement of public policies. Making judgments: with regard to the characteristics and evolution of public policies in the contemporary political and institutional reality, through the knowledge acquired and the analytical tools provided students will be able to strengthen their critical awareness as well as their ability to formulate independent judgments on the basis of relevant data and comparisons. Communication skills: active participation in class will be encouraged. Students will be advised to engage themselves to do oral presentations and write short notes, in order to improve their communication skills, with due consideration given to the different types of languages used and discourses going on in the world of public policies. Learning skills: with regard to the national, sub-national and European levels, students will learn where to find and how to read the main information sources to be used for the analysis and the evaluation of policy processes and their results. This will be done, among other things, by putting into practice the techniques learned during the course.

The life cycle of public policies; methods, phases and components of public policy evaluation.

Bobbio, L, Pomatto, G. and Ravazzi, S. (2017) Le politiche pubbliche. Problemi, soluzioni, incertezze, conflitti, Mondadori (ALL CHAPTERS). La Spina, A. (2020) Politiche pubbliche. Analisi e valutazione, il Mulino, ONLY PART THREE: Valutazione (CHAPTERS from 8 to 11). Empirical material for the analysis of case studies and supplementary readings will be distributed during classes by the instructor. The AIR/VIR Guidelines (2018) will also be used.

Teaching activities will use frontal lectures, in preparation of which students will be asked to work individually on the indicated readings. Class discussion of concepts, theories, empirical research will encourage active participation in the course, especially during online teaching. To complete, exercises will be proposed so to analyse case-studies that exemplify concrete public policy paths and processes. Finally, in order to enhance learning during online teaching, short periodic self-assessment checks (through structured or semi-structured tests) will be proposed.

A mid-term written test for attending and non-attending students will be held. Such test consists of questions concerning the topics treated in the first half of the course. Those who pass the mid-term test can then take the rest of the exam on a date of their choice from the exam session. Students who did not show up at the mid-term test will take the whole exam, which is a written one as well. Students who are not satisfied with the score obtained in the mid-term test can decide to take the whole exam, too. After taking the written test at least once, if the result is not deemed satisfactory by a student, an additional oral colloquium may be requested from the following exam date. Both the mid-term test and the final exam are meant to assess whether students have a sufficient knowledge of key concepts, methodological problems and topics treated in the course, as well as their ability to discuss them using proper linguistic expressions. Oral presentations, group work and other activities in class are considered for the final grade and weight at least one thirtieth.

Personal interest in the course’s topics.

This course contributes to the UN goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (especially Goal 16).