Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Policy Planning and Assessment

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
KSK_246
Branch of Science
Sociology and social work; Sociology of Organisations and Social Governance
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Lelde Metla-Rozentāle
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

To enable students to independently and professionally analyse and evaluate, as experts, the policy-making, formulation, acceptance, implementation and evaluation processes already in place and at project stages as a result of the completion of the course (1); (2) to develop a policy proposal themselves, as well as (3) to participate in the evaluation of a particular phase of the policy process and in the development of recommendations.

Preliminary Knowledge

Sociology, basics of politics.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.At the end of the study course, the student will be able to navigate the history of the creation and development of policy analysis as a theoretical branch of political science, as well as to justify the essential role of practical application of this sector; describe the progress of the policy process as well as the relevant stages of policy analysis.

Skills

1.Independently identify the problem situation, choose a solution option for this problem according to algorithms and put it into practice, assess the consistency of the results achieved with the initial setup and draw conclusions on the necessary further action model.

Competences

1.Discuss and analyse the progress of a policy process already implemented or partially implemented; evaluate the impartiality of the policy analysis document carried out by other researchers, compliance with the methodology and standards for evaluating processes. Perform planning and evaluation activities for a specific policy segment.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Group independent work (execution of seminar tasks)
20.00% from total grade
10 points

For each of the 4 seminars, the study course description identifies the task that the 2-person team must accomplish before the seminar, design in the form of PowerPoint or another visual presentation, and present to the other members of the group during the seminar.
2.

Individual study
20.00% from total grade
10 points

The theme of the policy future scenario simulation shall be selected and formulated independently by each student in accordance with the criteria referred to in the study course description. The study should be carried out in time for the last lesson, presented in the form of PowerPoint or another visual presentation, and presented to other members of the group during the seminar. A detailed description of the study (in the format of the report) shall be submitted by the deadline specified in the E-studies.
3.

Description of the individual study
25.00% from total grade
10 points

The topic of simulation of the individual study – future scenario of policy is selected and formulated independently by each student in accordance with the criteria referred to in E-studies. A detailed description of the study (in the format of the report) shall be submitted by the deadline specified in the E-studies.
4.

Self-reflection
-
-

E-studies offer each of the five lectures an appropriate topic of self-reflection, prompting the student to reflect on the information provided in the lecture and the content contained in the materials of compulsory literature.
5.

Attendance of lectures, seminars
5.00% from total grade
10 points

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
10 points

Test methods: participation in lectures (5%); quality of group presentations in seminars (20%); quality of the individual presentation in the final lesson (20%); description of the individual study (25%); exam grade (30%). Knowledge will be judged on a 10-point scale. The final grade will consist of the sum of all the marks. The final assessment of the course is not posted until the student successfully performs all the tasks specified in the study course description!
2.

Final course exam
30.00% from total grade
10 points

The average assessment of the presentation and written version of the individual study will moan the GRADE OF THE course EXAM.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Policy process and policy analysis - nature of concepts (diversity of understanding) and interconnection. Differences in policy analysis approaches in the context of different policy theories.
Description

Question for self-reflection: Policy research and policy analysis – differences between these two instruments for assessing the policy process.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Phase (1) of the policy process - setting the agenda - its course, participants, their power, interests and interactions.
Description

A question for self-reflection: the agenda-setting process and the factors that affect it.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Phase (2) of the policy process - policy formulation - objectives and instruments for achieving them, quantitative and qualitative methods and their role in policy formulation and policy analysis.
Description

The question of self-reflection: the importance of the quality of the wording of the policy objective and the consequences of poor wording.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Phase (3) of the policy process - policy making - characterisation and comparison of decision-making models, theory of policy learning.
Description

Question for self-reflection: comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of different decision-making models.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Phase 4 of the policy process - implementation and evaluation of policies - implementation models, reasons for success and failure, inherent problems, role of implementing bodies, impossibility of a perfect implementation model.
Description

Question for self-reflection: comparative characterisation of policy implementation models and use possibilities.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Policy analysis (phase 1) - Troubleshooting getting the problem on the agenda – which is the problem that causes it, the types of problems and how they are characterised, the strategies for updating problems, the reasons for their success and failure.
Description

Seminar task:

split into groups of 2 people. All seminars will be carried out in these groups and their composition will remain the same.

Each group must select and agree on one political problem that you think is pressing and interesting, for which you would like to develop a possible solution in the course of the seminars.

You must prepare a PowerPoint or other format visual presentation to the seminar showing the responses to the workshop tasks!!! After each group’s presentation, members of the other groups will have to play the role of opponent-critic and provide their own assessment of their colleagues’ policy analysis, as well as their own proposals to address the problem chosen by their colleagues.!!! The final grade will consist of the quality of the content and design of the group presentation + the quality of the oponion.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Policy analysis (phase 2) - study, formulation and clarification of problems; evaluation of alternatives; identification of alternatives; forecasting - methods to be applied.
Description

Workshop task:

suggest possible options for the predefined issue solution.

You must prepare a PowerPoint or other format visual presentation to the seminar showing the responses to the workshop tasks!!! After each group’s presentation, members of the other groups will have to play the role of opponent-critic and provide their own assessment of their colleagues’ policy analysis, as well as their own proposals to address the problem chosen by their colleagues.!!! The final grade will consist of the quality of the content and design of the group presentation + the quality of the oponion.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Policy analysis phase (3) — alternative choice — policy decision technique, preferred policy action identification methods, role of information and sources of extraction.
Description

Workshop tasks:

  1. look through your predefined alternatives to solving a potential problem.
  2. Using best alternative identification methods and based on alternative comparison parameters and good alternative criteria, formulate the best (best) alternative.
  3. Describe what effective problem solving tools (i.e., regulatory, financial, information tools) you have chosen to use.
  4. Develop a future scenario for the alternative you choose - a description of the future situation based on a number of assumptions that include a prediction (1st) (determination of the future state of the indicators and assessment of the impact of the policy/programme) and (2nd) environmental reflections.
  5. Model the development of key indicators in the future by accepting a favourable and disadvantageous environmental situation.

You must prepare a PowerPoint or other format visual presentation to the seminar showing the responses to the workshop tasks!!! After each group’s presentation, members of the other groups will have to play the role of opponent-critic and provide their own assessment of their colleagues’ policy analysis, as well as their own proposals to address the problem chosen by their colleagues.!!! The final grade will consist of the quality of the content and design of the group presentation + the quality of the oponion.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Policy analysis (phase 4) – monitoring of policy implementation; methods of implementation and evaluation – characteristic approaches, systematic monitoring and evaluation techniques, main directions of impact assessment, assessment problems, reasons for success and failure, necessity of assessment.
Description

Workshop tasks:

up until now, each group only worked with its own problem, but this time it will be your job to assess what the other teams have done.

  1. On the basis of the information material sent by the other groups, analyze and evaluate the problem-solving plans developed by these groups, i.e. answer the question - whether and how fully the chosen variant of the problem solution will achieve the predefined goal. To answer this question, follow the evaluation procedure below:
  • Identification of actors involved;
  • Identification of the objectives of the programme;
  • Identification and comparison of theoretical investments (costs) and results (benefits);
  • Comparison of objectives and expected results;
  • Identifying the causes of success and problems;
  • Policy relevance to the real political, economic, social situation;
  • Policy compliance with the interests of the actors involved;
  • Development and presentation of recommendations.

The seminar for each group will include:

  1. A visual presentation of PowerPoint v AI in a different format should present an assessment of the other groups’ problem-solving plans (reflecting the entire progress of the evaluation procedure);
  2. listen to your opponents’ views on your plan and refute your criticism.

!!! P.S. If one of the groups does not receive timely material from the peer group

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Individual study presentation: Policy future scenario simulation
Description

Task:

each student must individually create a detailed policy scenario for the future of the current political problem in Latvia or internationally.

Task steps:

  1. Choose a policy issue: Specify its highlights.
    • Develop scenarios for the future: Create two scenarios – one optimistic and one pessimistic.Optimistic scenario: How could the situation evolve if effective policy solutions were implemented?
    • Pessimistic scenario: How could the situation evolve if policy solutions are not implemented or implemented incorrectly?
  2. Use visual tools: scenarios should be displayed in an interactive way, such as an infographic, timeline, or other visual format - video, interactive chart, etc.
  3. Assess the consequences: add an analysis of its impact on society, the economy and the political environment to each scenario.
  4. Present your work: each student’s job is to briefly present their script during the seminar (5-7 minutes).

Evaluation criteria:

  1. relevance of the selected problem and quality of analysis (30%).
  2. Logic and rationale for future scenarios (30%).
  3. Creativity and effectiveness of visualisation (20%).
  4. Quality of presentation and ability to answer questions (20%).

A detailed description of the study (in the format of the report) shall be submitted by the date indicated in the E-studies. The overall assessment (average assessment) of this description and individual presentation WILL constitute the GRADE of the final EXAM of the course.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Individual study presentation: Policy future scenario simulation
Description

Task:

each student must individually create a detailed policy scenario for the future of the current political problem in Latvia or internationally.

Task steps:

  1. Choose a policy issue: Specify its highlights.
    • Develop scenarios for the future: Create two scenarios – one optimistic and one pessimistic.Optimistic scenario: How could the situation evolve if effective policy solutions were implemented?
    • Pessimistic scenario: How could the situation evolve if policy solutions are not implemented or implemented incorrectly?
  2. Use visual tools: scenarios should be displayed in an interactive way, such as an infographic, timeline, or other visual format - video, interactive chart, etc.
  3. Assess the consequences: add an analysis of its impact on society, the economy and the political environment to each scenario.
  4. Present your work: each student’s job is to briefly present their script during the seminar (5-7 minutes).

Evaluation criteria:

  1. relevance of the selected problem and quality of analysis (30%).
  2. Logic and rationale for future scenarios (30%).
  3. Creativity and effectiveness of visualisation (20%).
  4. Quality of presentation and ability to answer questions (20%).

A detailed description of the study (in the format of the report) shall be submitted by the date indicated in the E-studies. The overall assessment (average assessment) of this description and individual presentation WILL constitute the GRADE of the final EXAM of the course.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Individual study presentation: Policy future scenario simulation
Description

Task:

each student must individually create a detailed policy scenario for the future of the current political problem in Latvia or internationally.

Task steps:

  1. Choose a policy issue: Specify its highlights.
    • Develop scenarios for the future: Create two scenarios – one optimistic and one pessimistic.Optimistic scenario: How could the situation evolve if effective policy solutions were implemented?
    • Pessimistic scenario: How could the situation evolve if policy solutions are not implemented or implemented incorrectly?
  2. Use visual tools: scenarios should be displayed in an interactive way, such as an infographic, timeline, or other visual format - video, interactive chart, etc.
  3. Assess the consequences: add an analysis of its impact on society, the economy and the political environment to each scenario.
  4. Present your work: each student’s job is to briefly present their script during the seminar (5-7 minutes).

Evaluation criteria:

  1. relevance of the selected problem and quality of analysis (30%).
  2. Logic and rationale for future scenarios (30%).
  3. Creativity and effectiveness of visualisation (20%).
  4. Quality of presentation and ability to answer questions (20%).

A detailed description of the study (in the format of the report) shall be submitted by the date indicated in the E-studies. The overall assessment (average assessment) of this description and individual presentation WILL constitute the GRADE of the final EXAM of the course.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

McDavid, J., Huse, I.,. Hawthorn, L. (2019) Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement: An Introduction to Practice. Sage Publications.

2.

Evaluation policy and guidelines for evaluations.

3.

Brigsa, S., Laķe, A. Metodiskais materiāls. Rokasgrāmata.

4.

Dunn, W. N. (2018). Public policy analysis: An integrated approach (6th ed.). Routledge.

5.

Politikas veidošanas rokasgrāmata.

6.

Ham, C. (1993). The policy process in the modern capitalist state. Harvester Wheatsheaf.

7.

Pierre, J., & Peters, B. G. (2000). Governance, politics and the state. Macmillan Press.

8.

Hogwood, B. W., & Gunn, L. A. (1985). Policy analysis for the real world. Oxford University Press.

9.

Fischer, F., Miller, G. J., & Sidney, M. S. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of public policy analysis: Theory, politics, and methods. CRC Press.

10.

Weimer, D. L., & Vining, A. R. (2017). Policy analysis: Concepts and practice (6th ed.). Routledge.

Additional Reading

1.

Planning and proposing law

Other Information Sources

1.

Kimberlee, L. (2018) Importance of Policy Evaluation