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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: 26 June 2026

PIR-20126 - Public Policy and How To Make It
Coordinator: Phil Catney Room: CBA1.029 Tel: +44 1782 7 33346
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

Why do some policies change while others stay the same? And how can people influence the decisions that shape everyday life, from public transport to social inequality? This module explores how governments make policy and why certain issues gain attention while others do not. It examines who has influence, how agendas are set, and how political interests shape outcomes. Through key concepts and theories, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how political systems work and how change happens.

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: 11 hours
Assessment guidance session: 1 hour
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: 26 June 2026