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This course is archived
Course date
July 20–31, 2015
Location
Budapest
Application deadline
Course delivery
In-person

The course covers several facets and methods of public policy, with an introduction to quantitative evaluation of policy interventions. First, the interest of the students is meant to be raised with a few examples, then we place public policy in a wider web of endeavors and disciplines, and links to related fields (e.g. law, economics, sociology, political science) are shown. Then the four key elements of the policy context are discussed: institutions, actors, ideas, and instruments of policy. Next, the concept of the policy cycle along with limitations and alternatives is introduced. During the next lessons steps of the policy cycle process (agenda setting/policy formulation/decision/implementation/evaluation) are discussed in detail. Case studies and examples taken from the experience of different countries and addressing different public policy issues are presented to help participants relate to the approaches presented. Alternative models of policy formation are also discussed. The second half of the course is devoted to an introduction to quantitative evaluation methods. After the fundamentals and main principles of evaluations are demonstrated, the importance of random experiments is stressed. Evaluation methods using observational data (matching methods, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity) as well as the assessment of distributional and equilibrium effects of policy interventions are also demonstrated. 

Faculty

Beyond their background in teaching and research, the course director and the faculty also have extensive experience both as civil servants and as think tank professionals in both the design and evaluation of public policy. Several of them work for a think tank called the Budapest Institute (www.budapestinstitute.eu). 

Teaching methods

In addition to lectures, the course stresses independent work in break-out groups and relies heavily on case studies. We would approach participants with a short online questionnaire beforehand. Theoretical background is presented at lectures (including invited lectures by hands-on experts on their recent policy-related work) and discussed during seminars. Actual instances of policy-related work by the lecturers is also shown in class and discussed. Homework assignments include home reading and writing a policy brief on a topic chosen by the participant, which is presented at the end of the course.

Key readings include excerpts from these texts

  • Bardach: A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis. 4th ed. Sage 2012 
  • Howlett, Ramesh, and Pearl: Studying Public Policy. 3rd ed. Oxford UP 2009
  • Moran et al: Oxford Handbook of Public Policy. Oxford UP 2006
  • Khandker, Koolwal, and Samad: Handbook on Impact Evaluation – Quantitative Methods and Practices. Washington, D.C.: World Bank 2010
  • Several short case studies on topics and areas fitting the interest and countries of origin of the participants.

Aims of the course: what will you have learnt? 

  • You should have an appreciation for the different tasks arising around the public policy process as well as the pitfalls occurring during it.
  • You should be able to communicate with colleagues and partners with different backgrounds, both domestic and international, about policy goals, alternatives, and decisions,
  • You should acquire a certain understanding of several methods in the toolbox of a policy analyst.
  • You should, with guidance, be able to procure and judge the appropriateness of quantitative evaluation exercises on your own.

Assessment

Having successfully completed the course, all participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance and 2 ECTS credit points. Those who wish to earn an extra credit point can choose to take an exam, which will require them to solve an evaluation case study in the form of a take-home assignment.
 

Completed CEU Summer University Application Form

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Notification

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