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PIR-20126 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

PIR-20126 - Public Policy and How To Make It
Coordinator:
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

To influence the policies that shape our lives, whether that's the failure of trains to turn up on time or deep inequalities in our society, you have to understand the system that makes them. This module asks 'Why do some policies change while others stay the same?' and considers how might you start to think about influencing that process.
Ultimately, most politics is about what governments do, or don't do. While many scholars of politics work in specific fields (e.g. legislatures, transport policy), those working in the field of public policy try to explain the whole: how does the system fit together to produce change or continuity in the way the government acts? That raises further issues: how do you influence agendas?, how do people in a policy area work together or compete with one another?, who has access to the process?, how does policy reflect people's political interests? These are some of the big questions about politics and policy - this module introduces you to key ideas that help to answer them.

Aims
The module introduces students to the subject of public policy. Students will encounter the ideas of leading scholars in the field, developing the capacity both to question and to apply their arguments. Students will also learn and apply the skills associated with policy analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate familiarity with a key theory of public policymaking and a capacity to identify the limitations of this approach.: 1
Analyse an instance of policy making, adopting and applying a particular theoretical approach to deliver a policy analysis.: 1
Write in a concise and effective academic style: 1
Demonstrate research skills in identifying and deploying a range of policy area-related literature within an analysis.: 1

Study hours

Lecture Attendance: 12 hours
Seminar Attendance: 12 hours
Seminar Preparation: 48 hours
Essay Preparation: 78 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 100%
Policy Analysis
Students write a 2,000 word policy analysis. Students choose a particular policy change they want to analyse as a case study, and, by applying one theory of policy change they have studied during the module, explain the change in their chosen case study. Emphasis will be on clarity in applying the model and clarity of explanation.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026