PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS

Why are some public problems dealt with and others not?
What does the ‘public’ represent? Is this merely a problem for the public sector?
Who decides what solutions to adopt and how? Why are the results of policies not satisfactory?
What tools can be used to support the policy-making process?
To answer questions such as these, the course explores the analysis and evaluation of public policies, i.e. the set of actions related to the solution of a collective problem generally considered to be of public interest. Through the study of how policies are created and developed, the course aims to provide students with the fundamental concepts and methodologies to understand how the dynamics of public decision-making are articulated. The course, therefore, provides an essential opportunity to understand the complex processes of multilevel governance.

The course aims to provide students with concepts and methodologies for understanding how public policies are generated and developed.
At the end of the course, students:
(a) can explain what a public policy is, who the subjects involved are, and the basic steps in the process;
(b) will have to critically analyse the various stages of the policy-making process, identify actors, interests and networks, and
(b) select and use the most appropriate policy instrument for each stage of the policy process.

None: however, an interest in the dynamics of public policies and their critical issues is recommended.
A predisposition to interactive study is particularly indicated.

The course deals with the general theory of public policy. It is aimed to explain what a policy is, how it is created, which actors participate in the policy process, the type of relationships developed between them. This introductory part is particularly recommended for those who have never dealt with public policy analysis.
During the course, the stages of the policy-making and evaluation process will be analysed with a focus on the study of the outcomes of changes in Italian public policies. This part of the program will also be developed through the presentation of case studies.
Finally, the impact of the processes of Europeanisation, multilevel governance, social assesment and internationalization on national political contexts will be briefly discussed.

- La Spina A. (2020), Politiche pubbliche. Analisi e valutazione, 2 ed., Il Mulino, Bologna (cap. I, II, III, XIII, XIV).
- Bobbio L., Pomatto G., Ravazzi S. (2017), Le politiche pubbliche. Problemi, soluzioni, incertezze e conflitti, Mondadori, Milano.
Further reading suggestions may be provided during the lessons.

The examination is written and is aimed at ascertaining the students' preparation on the programme content.
As a standard, the examination consists of a number of open-ended questions (tends to be four questions per hour; approximately 15 minutes per question).
The questions can cover all the topics of the course, both those discussed directly in class and those in the texts available to support the course.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Regarding the way in which the grades will be awarded, regardless of whether attending or not:

1. points in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and ability to understand the course content;
- limited ability to interpret information, making independent judgments;
- sufficient communication skills, about the use of written language and specialist language relating to public policy.

2. points in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- fair knowledge and ability to understand the course content;
- discrete ability to interpret information, making autonomous judgements;
- fair communication skills, about the use of written language and specialist language relating to public policy.

3. points in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or very good knowledge and understanding of the course content;
- good or very good ability to interpret information, making independent judgments;
- good or very good communication skills, about the use of written language and specialist language relating to public policy.

Summa cum laude will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and skills.

The course will be developed with lectures that actively involve the students.
The discussion of case studies will be privileged over the theoretical illustration of the topic.
However, policy analysis cannot be reduced to the mere listing of requirements, whether present or not.
This is why attending lectures will allow students to experiment and engage with the professor and the class, and build together an articulated and complex learning path.

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