Public Policy Process and Analysis

Educational Goals
The very fact that the term ‘public policy’ and the vocabulary of policy-making have to be newly invented in the local languages of the CEE region indicates the novelty of policy studies and policy analysis in the region. Taking this background into account, the course has two main objectives: (1) to provide an understanding of the complexities of policy-making and policy analysis through multi-disciplinary analytic frameworks which draw upon a variety of social science fields; (2) to offer a unique opportunity to gain information, knowledge, and skills on public policy process, public policy analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and policy evaluation. The course provides a basis for developing new policy courses by the participants either offered within existing public policy/public administration programs, or other programs which educate students who will work for governments, legislative bodies, and civic or business organizations.
 
The significance of the course 
The multi-disciplinary character of public policy making has still not been incorporated into the curriculum of most CEE universities. The departmental structures existing within universities still preserve the traditional boundaries of social science disciplines and impede the emergence of the multi-disciplinary study of public policy. Furthermore, public policy programs, in which such courses fit best, are rarely found in the region. 
Outside the universities, political debates are often framed in ideological and historical terms, with no informed connection to contemporary realities. Moreover, policy discussions and the evaluation of alternatives lack the depth of analysis found in countries with longer traditions of democracy. By and large, decision makers and public administrators sometimes lack up to date conceptual and analytical knowledge and the skills needed to manage effectively in a democratic society with a market economy.
 
The content of the course
The course provides: 

1. a conceptual foundation of the rationales for and limitations of public policy;
2. establishes an understanding of the major characteristics of policy-making;
3. provides practical advise about how to do policy analysis and policy evaluation;
4. demonstrates the application of a policy-analytic framework and analytic techniques for    conducting policy analysis;
5. frameworks, methodology and techniques for evaluating public policy and program outcomes

Requirements for participation in the course
Though the course does not require prior understanding of the complexity of policy-making and/or of a policy-analytic framework, it requires participants who are well educated and preferably have prior teaching and/or research experience in one of the empirically oriented traditional social science disciplines and/or economics. Building on the respective previous knowledge and skills of the participants the course is going to be offered on an advanced level both in terms of its comprehensiveness and in-depth analytic techniques.