PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND SOCIAL POLICY

The course is part of the core curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and Social Service, which provides students with the keys to understanding the characteristics and dynamics of contemporary societies. In particular, this course aims to provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of public policy analysis through the lens of social policy. Therefore, starting from the analysis of social policies, the course aims to provide students with theoretical and practical tools to interpret public policies and to be able to recognise the dynamics through which the related policy-making process develops (actors, multi-level governance of policies, stakeholders, policy instruments, decision-making processes, implementation, evaluation).

Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will know and understand
- the functioning of the public policy life cycle (agenda setting, formulation, decision making, implementation, evaluation) in relation to the many examples that will be discussed in the lectures; - the main issues and problems related to social policy, with particular reference to the emergence and development of the welfare state and social policy;

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- correctly use the terminology of this field of study in the concrete policy-making processes that will be studied;
- recognise the different stages of the public policy process, with particular reference to welfare policies;
- recognise and be able to analyse the role of public and private actors that contribute to the decision-making and implementation of welfare policies

Evaluation skills
-Students will learn to make judgements and evaluations of policy (particularly welfare policy) using the toolbox provided by public policy analysis.

Communication skills
Students will develop the ability to:
- use appropriate terminology to communicate the evolution of the wellfare state in Europe, its critical points and crucial junctures.
- interact critically and respectfully with their peers - present the synthesis of group work to the class

It is recommended that students taking this course have already taken the Sociological Theories and Public and Administrative Law exams. However, this is not a mandatory requirement.

During the course, the theoretical and framing coordinates of the discipline of Public Policy will be offered through numerous examples and case studies of real policies, including social policies, environmental policies, policies related to urban management (traffic management, waste, conflict, perception of security, etc.). The topics covered are
The concept of public policy and the main elements for analysing it (actors, decision-making arenas, resources, policy instruments).
The policy-making process: agenda-setting, problem-setting, decision-making, policy implementation, policy evaluation.
The politics/policy pair and its impact on the outcome of public action.
The second part of the course will focus on social policies, giving a general overview (evolution of the welfare state in Europe) and analysing social policies.

Bobbio L., Pomatto G. e Ravazzi S. (2017), Le politiche pubbliche. Problemi, soluzioni, incertezze, conflitti, Mondadori Università, Milano. Capitoli: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.
Ferrera M. e Jessoula M. (a cura di) 2025 Le politiche sociali, Quarta Edizione, capitolo I
One article on social policies that will be specified in the first lecture of the course and uploaded on Moodle.

Learning is assessed with the following:
- a written exam consisting of 5 open questions with a maximum of 20 lines to be answered in 60 minutes. Each question has a score ranging from 0 to 6. Three questions aim to verify the knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course contained in the reference readings and, through transversal questions to the topics addressed. Two questions aim to verify the ability to apply knowledge and understanding through the presentation of two case studies (public policies) that the students will have to analyze by bringing out the usable policy tools, the indicators to be used when evaluating the output and 'outcome, the target group and the beneficiaries, the possible definitions of the problem.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

With regard to grading (how the marks will be awarded):
Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and ability to apply understanding with reference to the examination materials;
- limited ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of language specific to public policy analysis.

Scores in band 23-26 will be awarded in the presence of:
- fair knowledge and ability to apply understanding with reference to the examination materials;
- discrete ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of language specific to public policy analysis.

Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or excellent knowledge and ability to apply understanding with reference to examination materials
- good or excellent ability to apply knowledge to concrete cases
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of language specific to public policy.
Honours will be awarded for knowledge and ability to apply understanding with reference to the syllabus, judgement and communication skills programme, judgement and communication skills, excellent.

The course is structured with frontal lessons (70%) which alternate moments of presentation of cases and examples and interactions in small groups with an assembly moment at the end of the small group discussion (30%).
Students are invited to actively participate in the exercises proposed in class and to carry out the exercises that are assigned to be carried out at home (and corrected in class).
The teaching materials of the course will be made available on the Moodle e-learning platform of the University. Timely registration for the course on the Moodle platform is recommended.

Both attending and non-attending students are reminded that it is essential to consult the Moodle page of the course, where lecture materials and readings related to each topic will be uploaded from time to time.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development