course-details-portlet

POL3526 - Comparative Public Policy and Administration

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Assignment with adjusting oral exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Assignment with adjusting oral exam 100/100

Course content

Complex and cross-sectoral societal challenges bring about modern organizational forms and changes in the development of policy. How the political and administrative systems of government is organized and formulates policy is central to the study of public policy and administration. Instruments and the effect of instruments is another central topic. With a comparative perspective the course looks at both political-administrative structures and policy analysis.

The course gives an advanced introduction to classical and modern literature in the field of public policy and administration, as well as theory and empirical data on implementation and evaluation of public policy. Empirical examples from relevant policy areas will be covered (such as health and welfare policy, agricultural and rural policy, immigration and integration policy).

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall have knowledge of:

  • explanations of variations in policy formulations and tensions between different levels of government
  • the development and principles within reform traditions
  • modern forms of organization and governance
  • policy design, instruments and implementation of public policy
  • methods for the evaluation of public policy and public programs

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • analyze and evaluate aspects of public policy, management and administration in a comparative context
  • discuss key challenges of the organization of public policy
  • problematize similarities and variations in the formulation and implementation of policy across different levels of government, welfare states and political domains

Learning methods and activities

Lectures/group discussions for 4 hours per week throughout the semester. Supervision of term paper. If 6 or fewer students attend the course the two first weeks of teaching, the course will be offered as an individual study course with supervision. Please contact the department for further information.

Compulsory assignments

  • Present a literature review of a chosen topic
  • Present a draft of the term paper and give comments on a fellow student's draft

Further on evaluation

Form of assessment: Term paper and oral examination. Length of term paper: 6000-8000 words. The oral exam covers the term paper as well as readings. The oral exam will be used to adjust the term paper's grade by a maximum of one grade. Both the term paper and the oral exam must be retaken at a repeat of the exam.

Required previous knowledge

60 credits including SOS1002 or an equivalent course in research methods. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
POL8526 10.0 AUTUMN 2022
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  15.0 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Social Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Political Science
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Sociology and Political Science

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment with adjusting oral exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Assignment with adjusting oral exam 100/100

Release
2024-11-15

Submission
2024-11-29


09:00


15:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Assignment with adjusting oral exam 100/100

Release
2025-04-16

Submission
2025-04-30


09:00


14:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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