Public Policy - JSM518

• Anglický název: Public Policy
• Zajišťuje: Katedra veřejné a sociální politiky (23-KVSP)
• Fakulta: Fakulta sociálních věd
• Platnost: od 2019 do 2019
• Semestr: zimní
• E-Kredity: 9
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: zimní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: zimní s.:2/1, Zk [HT]
• Počet míst: 80 / neomezen (80)
• Minimální obsazenost: neomezen
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: vyučován
• Jazyk výuky: angličtina
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Další informace: http://www.martinpotucek.cz/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=60%3Apublic-policy&Itemid=94&layout=blog&lang=cs
• Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán; povolen pro zápis po webu; při zápisu přednost, je-li ve stud. plánu
• Garant: prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc.
• Vyučující: Mgr. Kamila Hejnák Vlčková; Mirna Jusić, M.A., Ph.D.; prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc.; Mgr. Silvie Pýchová, Ph.D.; Mgr. Martina Štěpánková Štýbrová
• Třída: Courses not for incoming students
• Neslučitelnost : JSM699
• Je záměnnost pro: JS2M08

Anotace

čeština

Poslední úprava: prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc. (09.11.2019)

Základní kurs seznamující studenty se způsoby, jimiž veřejná politika identifikuje sociální problémy a navrhuje cesty jejich řešení. Činí tak vymezením základních pojmů, teorií a analytických přístupů této vědní disciplíny v kontextu vývoje soudobých společností. Vede studenty k samostatnému studiu, ke kritickému myšlení a k systematické práci s odbornou literaturou, k aktivní účasti na výuce v přednáškách i seminářích a k psaní odborných textů.
Upozornění:
Kurs je nabízen v angličtině, nicméně studentům se znalostí češtiny je studium usnadněno poukazem na analogické zdroje v tomto jazyce. Češtinu je možno užívat i v českém semináři a v písemných projevech odevzdávaných v průběhu semestru a u závěrečné písemné zkoušky.

angličtina

Poslední úprava: prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc. (09.11.2019)

The course aims to introduce students to the study of public policy as a discipline, within a broader context of the development of contemporary societies; to exemplify public policy’s practical application and the ways public policy as a scientific discipline attempts to apprehend social problems and devise solutions thereof; to do so by defining the key terms, theories and approaches of public policy; and to engage students in critical thinking and studying, systematic work with scholarly literature, actively participating in lectures and seminars, and writing scholarly texts.

Literatura

Poslední úprava: prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc. (09.11.2019)

Basic sources in English

Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. A comprehensive Introduction. Prague, Karolinum Press. This is the key textbook for this course. It is available free of charge for students of Charles University on the E-resources Portal of the Student Information System (SIS).

Howlet, M., Ramesh, M., Perl, A. 2009. 3rd edition. Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Peters, Guy B.: 2015. Advanced Introduction to Public Policy. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Potůček, M., LeLoup, L., Jenei, G. and Váradi, L. 2003. Public Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: Theories, Methods, Practices. Bratislava: NISPAcee.

Routledge Handbook of Public Policy. 2013. London and New York: Routledge.

 

Základní literatura v češtině

Potůček, M. a kol. 2016. Veřejná politika. Praha: C. H. BECK. Jde o základní učebnici pro tento kurs dostupnou v českém jazyce.

Potůček, M. a kol. 2005 (2. vyd. 2010). Veřejná politika. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství.

Veselý, A., Nekola. M. (eds.) 2008. Analýza a tvorba veřejných politik: Přístupy, metody a praxe. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství.

 

Notes on reading

·         Further reading will be submitted during individual lecture presentations.

·         Students are expected to follow the media covering policy problems on an ongoing basis.

 

Journals

Public Policy

Central European Journal of Public Policy (CEJPP): http://cejpp.eu/

Journal of European Public Policy: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rjpp20/current

Journal of European Social Policy: http://esp.sagepub.com/

Journal of Public Policy: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=PUP

Policy and Society: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/policy-and-society

Public Policy and Administration: http://ppa.sagepub.com/

Global Policy: https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/

Policy Analysis

European Policy Analysis: http://www.ipsonet.org/publications/open-access/epa

Evaluation: http://evi.sagepub.com/

Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/fcpa20/current
Journal of Policy Analysis and Management: http://www.appam.org/publications/jpam/

Review of Policy Research: http://www.ipsonet.org/publications/journals/review-of-policy-research/

Governance, Public Administration

Gouvernement et action publique: http://www.cairn-int.info/about_this_journal.php?ID_REVUE=E_GAP

Governance: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1468-0491
International Review of Administrative Sciences: http://ras.sagepub.com/

Lex localis - Journal of local self-government:  http://journal.lex-localis.press

NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy: http://www.nispa.org/journal.php

Public Administration: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1467-9299

Public Management Review: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rpxm20

Political Science

Critical Policy Studies: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/rcps

Policy and Politics: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/pap;jsessionid=68u3luqoo56n6.victoria

Policy Sciences: http://link.springer.com/journal/11077

Policy Studies Journal: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15410072

Politiques et Management Public: http://pmp.revuesonline.com/accueil.jsp

 

Internet sources

Almanac of Policy Issues: http://www.policyalmanac.org/directory/General-Organizations.shtml

European Union: http://www.europa.eu/

European Union Policy Agendas Project: http://www.policyagendas.eu/

International Conference on Public Policy: http://www.icpublicpolicy.org/

Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee): http://www.nispa.sk/

Organization for Economic Collaboration and Development: http://www.oecd.org/

Policy Design Lab: http://policy-design.org/

Public Policy Exchange, UK: http://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/

The Comparative Agendas Project: http://www.comparativeagendas.net/

The Institute for Public Policy Research, UK: http://www.ippr.org/

The World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/

 

 

Požadavky ke zkoušce

Poslední úprava: prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc. (04.10.2020)

Table 1: Points can be earned in the following ways:

Item		Min	Max
Lectures	Evaluation of critical reflections	8	16
	Final written examination	18	36
Seminars	Student’s performance in seminar	10	20
	Seminar paper	14	28
Total without extra points		50	100
Lectures	Extra points for Power Point Presentations	0	3+3
Total with premium points		51	100+3+3

 

Table 2: Final grading shall be based on the following formula (provided the student earns at least the minimum number of points for each particular item – consult Table 1):

 

Final point score	Grade
91 or more	A	Excellent (výtečně)
81–90	B	Very Good (velmi dobře)
71–80	C	Good (dobře)
61–70	D	Satisfactorily (uspokojivě)
51–60	E	Sufficiently (dostatečně)
50 or less	F	Fail (nedostatečně)

Sylabus

Poslední úprava: prof. PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc. (04.10.2020)

Course Syllabus

 

Course title: PUBLIC POLICY

Course number: JSM518, Fall Term 2020/2021

Course leader: Prof. Dr. Martin Potůček

Office hours: https://konzultace.fsv.cuni.cz

Course materials will be available on Moodle https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=7795. To apply, use your username and password for the Central Authentication Service of Charles University. If you do not have this information, please contact the university IT department.

Volume of instruction: 2/1

Number of credits: 9

 

Important note:

Due to the dynamics of covid-19 epidemic and associated restrictions, we are limited to distance learning. Main knowledge base for it will be:

·       The key textbook for this course: Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. A comprehensive Introduction. Prague, Karolinum Press. It is available in bookstores in the printed version. It is also available free of charge for students of Charles University on the E-resources Portal of the Student Information System (SIS).

·       Čeští studenti mohou pracovat s obsahově identickou českou verzí této učebnice, která je též dostupná na knižním trhu: Potůček, M. a kol. 2016. Veřejná politika. Praha: C. H. BECK.

·       Moodle.

·       ZOOM platform.

Goals of instruction:

The course aims to introduce students to the study of public policy as a discipline, within a broader context of the development of contemporary societies; to exemplify public policy’s practical application and the ways public policy as a scientific discipline attempts to apprehend social problems and devise solutions thereof; to do so by defining the key terms, theories and approaches of public policy; and to engage students in critical thinking and studying, systematic work with scholarly literature, actively participating in lectures and seminars, and writing scholarly texts.

Registration prerequisites:

This course is offered exclusively to students of the Master’s programmes of Veřejná a sociální politika (full-time students only), Public and Social Policy, and International Economic and Political Studies.

Note: The twin course JSM699, Theory of Public Policy (4 credits, lectures only), is available for students of other full-time Master’s or doctoral study programmes at Charles University, and for international visiting students (e.g., Erasmus students) enrolled in Bachelor, Masters and doctoral programmes at their home universities.

 

Lectures:

Course leader: Prof. Dr. Martin Potůček, http://www.martinpotucek.cz

 

Seminars:

Seminar class A’s language of instruction is English.

Head of seminar A class: Mgr. Mirna Jusić, [e-mail].

Mgr. Martina Štýbrová, [e-mail] and Mgr. Silvie Pýchová, [e-mail] will help Mirna with her duties.

 

Seminar class C’s language of instruction is Czech.

Head of seminar C class: Mgr. Kamila Vlčková, [e-mail]

Mgr. Simona Lipková, [e-mail] will help Kamila with her duties.

 

Assistants:

Aberra Rokia Aidahis, M.A., [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Joni Santeri Askola, MA, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Věra-Karin Brázová, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Jitka Čampulková, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ing. Michaela Ditrych Lenc, [e-mail](paper mentor)

Eddy Bruno Esien, PhD., [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Emilija Tudzarovska Gjorgjievska, M.A. MSc. [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Haris Hassan, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Mirna Jusić, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Najmin Kamilsoy, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ondřej Kopečný, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Simona Lipková, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Ing. Mgr. Tomáš Lukavec, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Sokhna A. R. Ndiaye, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Silvie Pýchová, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Mgr. Martina Štýbrová, [e-mail](seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Mgr. Vladimíra Tomášková, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Kamila Vlčková, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Mgr. Petra Witzová, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ing. Veronika Zápotocká, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

 

Conditions for passing:

Students shall be admitted to the final written examination for this course (in English, Czech or Slovak) if they have been sufficiently graded for their performance in lectures and seminars, and if they have elaborated and submitted a final seminar paper (in English, Czech or Slovak) on an agreed topic. The topic shall be based on consultations with paper mentors.

 

Overview of Points and Grading

Table 1: Points can be earned in the following ways:

Item		Min	Max
Lectures	Evaluation of critical reflections	8	16
	Final written examination	18	36
Seminars	Student’s performance in seminar	10	20
	Seminar paper	14	28
Total without extra points		50	100
Lectures	Extra points for Power Point Presentations	0	3+3
Total with premium points		51	100+3+3

 

Table 2: Final grading shall be based on the following formula (provided the student earns at least the minimum number of points for each particular item – consult Table 1):

 

Final point score	Grade
91 or more	A	Excellent (výtečně)
81–90	B	Very Good (velmi dobře)
71–80	C	Good (dobře)
61–70	D	Satisfactorily (uspokojivě)
51–60	E	Sufficiently (dostatečně)
50 or less	F	Fail (nedostatečně)

Student’s performance in lectures will be evaluated as follows:

1.     Students should choose one of two offered topics for critical reflection, associated with contents of lectures #1 to #4. Both topics will be published in the day of a lecture in question on the course Moodle. The submission deadline for critical reflections will be one day before the next lecture.

Timetable of critical reflections	Lecture 1	Lecture 2	Lecture 3	Lecture 4
Themes of critical reflections published on Moodle	Monday October 5th	Monday October 19th	Monday November 2nd	Monday November 23rd
Critical reflection submitted on Moodle	Sunday October 18th	Sunday November 1st	Sunday November 22nd	Sunday December 6th

Critical reflections will be evaluated by up to 4 points each.

2.     In addition, students can submit Power Point Presentations (PPPs), loosely or firmly associated with their respective critical reflection sone day before the next lecture. Until December 6^th 23:59 CET, they can submit up to two PPPs. If approved by the course leader, students can get up to 3 extra points for each of them. These PPPs will be published in Moodle.

 

Guidelines for Lecture Critical Reflections

The length of students’ answers: 3.000 to 5.000 characters, spaces included, references excluded. If question answer is shorter or longer than that, its content will not be evaluated, and it will receive 0 points. In addition to references in-text or in-footnotes, students need to attach a reference list. 

 

The evaluation of students´ critical reflections to PP Course lecture topics

Hodnocení kritických reflex studentů kursu PP na témata z lekcí

Points Body	The nature of answer Charakteristika odpovědi
4	The topic was very well understood. The theoretical framework and empirical evidence were rightly applied. Relevant reference to at least four scientific sources in addition to the course’s textbook. Value added: inventions, unusual but relevant perspective, appropriate case which fits to illustrate the given problematics. Výborné porozumění problematice. Správné uplatnění teoretického rámce a empirické evidence. Relevantní reference minimálně na čtyři další odborné prameny kromě učebnice. Přidané hodnoty: Ocenění hodná invence, nevšední, ale relevantní pohled, nabídka případu vhodně ilustrujícího danou problematiku.
3	The topic was rightly grasped. The theoretical framework and empirical evidence were rightly applied. Relevant reference to at least three scientific sources in addition to the course’s textbook. Value added:  relevant broader perspective, appropriate case which might illustrate the given problematics. Dobré porozumění problematice. Uspokojivé uplatnění teoretického rámce a empirické evidence. Relevantní reference minimálně na tři další odborné prameny kromě učebnice. Přidané hodnoty: relevantní širší pohled, nabídka případu, který může ilustrovat danou problematiku.
2	The reflection corresponds with the topic, but it is more or less descriptive and doesn´t provide satisfactory explanation of a given topic. Relevant reference to at least two scientific sources in addition to the course’s textbook. Reflexe souvisí s problematikou, ale je spíše popisná a nepodává její uspokojivé vysvětlení. Relevantní reference minimálně na dva další odborné prameny kromě učebnice.
1	The reflection only very loosely corresponds with the topic and its explanatory power is minimal. Relevant reference to at least one scientific source in addition to the course’s textbook. Relevantní reference minimálně na jeden další odborný pramen kromě učebnice. Relevantní reference na jeden další odborný pramen kromě učebnice.
0	The reflection doesn´t correspond with the topic. Failed reasoning – with logical failure or uncritical application of ideological cliché. The „common sense“ answer without attempt to scientific analysis and reference to literature apart from the course´s textbook. Answer delivered after deadline. Otázce nebylo porozuměno, odpověď se s ní míjí. Argumentace závadná – s logickými chybami nebo nekriticky přejímající ideologická klišé. Odpověď zůstává v rovině „common sense“, bez uplatnění odborného pohledu a reference na literaturu. Odpověď byla dodána po termínu.

 

Guidelines for Preparing Power Point Presentations

 

1.     Choose an interesting issue relevant for the content of a particular lecture.

2.     Collect sufficient information to be able to explain the structure and relevant context of a corresponding public policy problem.

3.     Decide about the appropriate theory/ies suitable for policy analysis.

4.     Apply selected theory/ies to your case and critically assess its/their strengths and weaknesses.

5.     Compile a concise power point presentation (up to 10 slides, including resources).

6.     Publish it via Moodle in time.

 

Note: Consider looking at chapters B2, B3 and B4 of Public Policy textbook for inspiration how to apply public policy theories.

N. B.:

-        Sources shall be consistently credited in line with the latest version of the ISO 690 standard or another internationally-accepted referencing standard (e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard). No form of plagiarism is tolerated at the Charles University. Any instances of plagiarism shall be discussed by the Disciplinary Board and, eventually, the Dean.

-       The seminar paper shall be submitted via Moodle and to the mentor´s email 3 days before the final written examination at the latest. If the mentor evaluates the paper to be of sufficient quality and approves it via the mentor´s email, the student may enter the final written examination.

 

For student’s performance in seminars consult the seminar syllabus.

 

For students who repeat the course:

Students who didn’t pass the course must repeat the part in which they didn’t achieve enough points. Those who will write seminar paper again must submit final written assignment proposal (even if it will be the same as last year) within the deadline as other students.

 

Structure of lectures and seminars:

 

Time: Mondays.

Day	Content
5 Oct	Lecture #1 Introduction to the course, lectures and seminars. A1 Public interests and public policy. A2 Values in Public Policy. Historical Institutionalism. Themes of critical reflection 1 published on Moodle. Students will form seminar groups.
12 Oct	Seminar #1 Introduction to the discipline and seminar. Agreement on presentation topics. Topics of seminar papers (discussion of choice of topics, recommended structure of papers, and basic rules of crediting sources).
19 Oct	Lecture #2 A3 Governance. Corporatist Intermediation. Policy Networks. A4 Actors and Institutions. Actor-Centred Institutionalism. Themes of critical reflection 2 published on Moodle.
26 Oct	Seminar #2 Presentations on general topic “Market, State and Civic Sector as Regulators”. Specifying the agreement on presentation topics. Discussion of seminar paper proposals. Online forum responses due.
2 Nov	Lecture #3 A5 Public policy instruments. Discursive institutionalism. Advocacy Coalition Framework. A6 Public Policy Process. The Stage of Problem Delimitation and Problem Recognition. Agenda Setting. Themes of critical reflection 3 published on Moodle.
9 Nov	Seminar #3 Presentations on general topic “Actors and Institutions”. Submission of proposals of seminar paper on Moodle. Online forum responses due.
16 Nov	Vacant Monday - Dean´s leave. Critical reflections and PPPs published on November 9th due to November 22nd..
23 Nov	Lecture #4 A7 Policy Formulation and Decision-making. Veto Players. Multiple Streams Framework. A8 Policy Implementation. Theories of Bureaucracy. Principal-Agent Model. Themes of critical reflection 4 published on Moodle.
30 Nov	Seminar #4 Presentations on general topic “Delimiting the Policy Problem”. Discussion on the elaboration of seminar paper. Online forum responses due.
7 Dec	Lecture #5 A9 Policy Evaluation. Rational (Public) Choice Theory. A10 How to Understand Public Policy Final recapitulation, getting ready for the examination. Submission of comprehensive drafts of seminar papers to paper mentors / on Moodle.
14 Dec	Seminar #5 Presentations on general topic “Public Policies” as policy realms and as policy instruments suitable for given public policy. Online forum responses due.

Basic sources in English

Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. A comprehensive Introduction. Prague, Karolinum Press. This is the key textbook for this course. It is available free of charge for students of Charles University on the E-resources Portal of the Student Information System (SIS).

Howlet, M., Ramesh, M., Perl, A. 2009. 3rd edition. Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Peters, Guy B.: 2015. Advanced Introduction to Public Policy. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Potůček, M., LeLoup, L., Jenei, G. and Váradi, L. 2003. Public Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: Theories, Methods, Practices. Bratislava: NISPAcee.

Routledge Handbook of Public Policy. 2013. London and New York: Routledge.

 

Základní literatura v češtině

Potůček, M. a kol. 2016. Veřejná politika. Praha: C. H. BECK. Jde o základní učebnici pro tento kurs dostupnou v českém jazyce.

Potůček, M. a kol. 2005 (2. vyd. 2010). Veřejná politika. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství.

Veselý, A., Nekola. M. (eds.) 2008. Analýza a tvorba veřejných politik: Přístupy, metody a praxe. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství.

 

Notes on reading

·       Further reading will be submitted during individual lecture presentations.

·       Students are expected to follow the media covering policy problems on an ongoing basis.

 

Journals

Public Policy

Central European Journal of Public Policy (CEJPP): http://cejpp.eu/

Journal of European Public Policy: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rjpp20/current

Journal of European Social Policy: http://esp.sagepub.com/

Journal of Public Policy: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=PUP

Policy and Society: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/policy-and-society

Public Policy and Administration: http://ppa.sagepub.com/

Global Policy: https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/

Policy Analysis

European Policy Analysis: http://www.ipsonet.org/publications/open-access/epa

Evaluation: http://evi.sagepub.com/

Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/fcpa20/current
Journal of Policy Analysis and Management: http://www.appam.org/publications/jpam/

Review of Policy Research: http://www.ipsonet.org/publications/journals/review-of-policy-research/

Governance, Public Administration

Gouvernement et action publique: http://www.cairn-int.info/about_this_journal.php?ID_REVUE=E_GAP

Governance: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1468-0491
International Review of Administrative Sciences: http://ras.sagepub.com/

Lex localis - Journal of local self-government:  http://journal.lex-localis.press

NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy: http://www.nispa.org/journal.php

Public Administration: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1467-9299

Public Management Review: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rpxm20

Political Science

Critical Policy Studies: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/rcps

Policy and Politics: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/pap;jsessionid=68u3luqoo56n6.victoria

Policy Sciences: http://link.springer.com/journal/11077

Policy Studies Journal: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15410072

Politiques et Management Public: http://pmp.revuesonline.com/accueil.jsp

 

Internet sources

Almanac of Policy Issues: http://www.policyalmanac.org/directory/General-Organizations.shtml

European Union: http://www.europa.eu/

European Union Policy Agendas Project: http://www.policyagendas.eu/

International Conference on Public Policy: http://www.icpublicpolicy.org/

Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee): http://www.nispa.sk/

Organization for Economic Collaboration and Development: http://www.oecd.org/

Policy Design Lab: http://policy-design.org/

Public Policy Exchange, UK: http://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/

The Comparative Agendas Project: http://www.comparativeagendas.net/

The Institute for Public Policy Research, UK: http://www.ippr.org/

The World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/

 

Seminar Syllabus

 

SEMINAR of the course PUBLIC POLICY 

Course number: JSM518, Fall Term 2020/2021

Seminar’s Moodle page: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=7795 

 

Seminar class A’s language of instruction is English.

Head of seminar class (Room JP210): Mgr. Mirna Jusić, [e-mail].

Mgr. Martina Štýbrová, [e-mail] and Mgr. Silvie Pýchová, [e-mail] will help Mirna with her duties.

 

Seminar class C’s language of instruction is Czech.

Head of seminar class C (Room JP211): Mgr. Kamila Vlčková, [e-mail]. Mgr. Simona Lipková,[e-mail] will help Kamila with her duties.

 

Important note:

Due to the dynamics of covid-19 epidemic and associated restrictions, we are limited to distance learning. Main knowledge base for it will be:

·       The key textbook for this course: Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. A comprehensive Introduction. Prague, Karolinum Press. It is available in bookstores in the printed version. It is also available free of charge for students of Charles University on the E-resources Portal of the Student Information System (SIS).

·       Čeští studenti mohou pracovat s obsahově identickou českou verzí této učebnice, která je též dostupná na knižním trhu: Potůček, M. a kol. 2016. Veřejná politika. Praha: C. H. BECK.

·       Program Moodle https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=7795.

·       ZOOM platform.

 

Assistants:

Aberra Rokia Aidahis, M.A., [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Joni Santeri Askola, MA, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Věra-Karin Brázová, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Jitka Čampulková, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ing. Michaela Ditrych Lenc, [e-mail](paper mentor)

Eddy Bruno Esien, PhD., [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Emilija Tudzarovska Gjorgjievska, M.A. MSc. [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Haris Hassan, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Anam Choirul, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Mirna Jusić, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Najmin Kamilsoy, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ondřej Kopečný, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Simona Lipková, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Ing. Mgr. Tomáš Lukavec, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Sokhna A. R. Ndiaye, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Silvie Pýchová, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Mgr. Martina Štýbrová, [e-mail](seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Mgr. Vladimíra Tomášková, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Kamila Vlčková, [e-mail] (seminar facilitator, paper mentor)

Mgr. Petra Witzová, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ing. Veronika Zápotocká, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

Mgr. Ing. Veronika Zápotocká, [e-mail] (paper mentor)

 

Seminar Dates: 12 Oct, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec.

Time: 3:30–4:50 or 5–6:20 p.m.

 

Goals

 

This seminar is an integral part of the course on Public Policy. Its major goal is to complement lectures by giving a more in-depth knowledge in the students’ area of interest. Moreover, the seminars:

• encourage practical interaction in small groups to elaborate on materials presented in lectures and on specific topics of practical experience and apply theoretical knowledge,
• develop students’ presentation and argumentation skills,
• enhance students’ skills of writing scientific texts and improve their analytical skills,
• and also create possible opportunities for Masters’ students and doctoral level assistants to share experience by working together.

 

Structure of the Seminar

 

Active involvement of students is a major part of the learning process. For communication with seminar assistants and paper mentors, to upload assignments and access reading materials, students need to enrol into Moodle at: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=7795.

 

To ensure maximum interaction among students the entire class will be divided into 2 main classes, one English- and one Czech-speaking. If necessary, each class will be divided into 2 or 3 groups to limit the number of students per seminar session. The seminar sessions for the first groups of both English- and Czech-speaking students take place between 3:30–4:50 p.m. in their respective classrooms. The seminar sessions for the second groups take place between 5–6:20 p.m.,again in their respective classrooms (see above).

 

During the introductory session on October 5, 2020, every student is expected to choose their respective class (English- or Czech-speaking) and the time of their preference (3:30–4:50 p.m. or 5–6:20 p.m.). Once registered, students can change neither their group nor their time of preference due to additional subdivisions and tasks assigned in the course of time. Students who wish to register for an additional seminar can do so with the approval of their seminar coordinators.  

Each seminar group will be divided into four teams (A, B, C, D). This helps students to actively engage in their group assignments. During the first seminar session, the teams will be formed and the email contact of each team coordinator will be given to seminar facilitators. 

 

Except the introductory session and first seminar session, the rest respect the following structure:

·       One team will always prepare a presentation on the topic (see below) and upload the PowerPoint presentation on Wednesday before the seminar week using Moodle. When preparing the presentation, please consult the assigned readings for that week.

·       The second team will, based on the concepts from the assigned readings, conduct a critical discussion with the authors of the presentation. The critical discussion means that each student that is part of the group conducting the critical discussion needs to pose at least two questions to the presenting group. This team needs to submit their critical comments on Wednesday right after the seminar day (Monday). These should be in the form of a reflection on the course of the presentation and its evaluation, and the subsequent critical discussion. The critical comments should not exceed 6,000 characters (including spaces).

·       Length of presentation: 25 minutes, length of critical discussion: 20 minutes, and the remaining time is always devoted to concluding remarks, discussion of seminar papers, organizational and technical matters.

·       Distribution of activities of the four teams is as follows:

 

Date	Presentation	Critical discussion
5 Oct	Introduction of the course, formation of seminar groups
12 Oct	Introduction to the discipline. Agreement on presentation topics. Topics of final written assignments (discussion of choice of topics, recommended structure of papers, and basic rules of crediting sources).
26 Oct	A	D
9 Nov	B	C
30 Nov	C	B
14 Dec	D	A

 

 

Seminar Content and Readings

 

Date	The seminar topic	Seminar Content
5 Oct	Introduction to the course, lectures and seminars. Students will form seminar groups.
12 Oct	Seminar 1: Introduction to the seminar, agreement on presentations and distribution of assignments	Introduction to the discipline and seminar. Agreement on presentation topics. Discussion of topics of final written assignments (discussion of choice of topics, recommended structure of papers, and basic rules of crediting sources).
26 Oct	Seminar 2: Market, State, and Civic Sector as Regulators	Presentations on general topic “Market, State and Civic Sector as Regulators”. Specifying the agreement on presentation topics. Discussion of final written assignment proposals. Online forum responses due.
Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. Prague, Karolinum Press, chapter A3. Potůček, M. 2003. Policy Coordination: Government, Markets, and the Civic Sector. In: Potůček, M., LeLoup, L. T., Jenei, G., Váradi, L. (eds.): Public Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: Theories, Methods, Practices. Bratislava: NISPAcee. Pp. 77–102. Available at http://www.martinpotucek.cz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78%3App-in-cee&catid=36%3Aknihy&Itemid=62&lang=cs
9 Nov	Seminar 3: Actors and Institutions	Presentations on general topic “Actors and Institutions”. Deadline for submitting seminar paperproposal (using form in Moodle). Online forum responses due.
Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. Prague, Karolinum Press, chapter A4. Schuyler House, R., Araral Jr., E. The institutional analysis and development framework. In: Araral Jr, E., Fritzen, S., Howlett, M., M Ramesh, Wu, X. (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Public Policy. New York: Routledge, 2013. Pp. 115–124.
30 Nov	Seminar 4: Delimiting the Policy Problem	Presentations on general topic “Delimiting the Policy Problem”. Discussion on the elaboration of a comprehensive draft of the seminar paper, which should be submitted to paper mentor on December 7 at the latest. Online forum responses due.
Hisschemöller, R., Hoppe, R. 2001. Coping with Intractable Controversies: The case for problem structuring in policy design and analysis. In Hisschemöller R., Hoppe, R., Dunn, W. N., Ravetz, J. Policy Studies Review Annual. Pp. 47–72. Veselý, A. 2007. Problem delimitation in public policy analysis. Central European Journal of Public Policy, Vol. 1, pp. 80–101. Available at http://www.cejpp.eu/index.php/ojs/article/viewFile/11/7
14 Dec	Seminar 5: Public Policies	Presentations on general topic “Public Policies as policy realms and/or as policy instruments suitable for given public policy”. Online forum responses due.
Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. Prague, Karolinum Press, chapter A5. Fawcett, H. 2006. Social Policy: Pensions. In: Peters, B. G., Pierre, J. (eds.): Handbook of Public Policy. London: Sage. Pp. 187–199. Potůček, M., LeLoup, L., Jenei, G. and Váradi, L. 2003. Public Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: Theories, Methods, Practices. Bratislava: NISPAcee. Chapters 10, 13.

 

Student Assessment

48% of the student’s evaluation (final grade) is based on his/her performance in the seminar. That is, the student’s activity during the seminar will be awarded a maximum of 20 points and the student can gain a maximum of 28 points for the final version of his/her submitted written assignment.

 

	Points
Online forums	8
Critical discussion	3
PowerPoint presentation	9
Final written assignment: Seminar paper	28
Total	48

 

Online forums

 

In Moodle, students will have access to an online forum. For Seminars 2-5, the seminar coordinators will pose a question that is directly related to the topic of the seminar. The question will be posed one week before the seminar and its answer will be due on the day of the seminar. Students will respond to the question by referring to the recommended readings for that week (and other relevant literature). Responses can be seen by all students and instructors.

 

The evaluation criteria for the online forum responses are as follows, per answer:

·       0 points: Question not answered or answered late; or answer is irrelevant for the topic at hand / does not demonstrate understanding; or no reference to literature is made;

·       1 point: Answer may correspond with the topic, but argumentation may be incomplete or insufficiently coherent. References are made to relevant literature.

·       2 points: Answer demonstrates an understanding of the topic and relevant theoretical framework. References are made to relevant literature.

 

Evaluation Criteria for PowerPoint Presentation and Critical Discussion

·       Clarity of presentation, precision of argument, ability to answer questions and defend the facts presented

·       Preparation and in-depth knowledge of the basic literature and general overview of the subject matter

·       PowerPoint presentation delivered by Wednesday evening.

·       Relevance of the critical evaluation

·       Leadership skills shown in the debates and critical discussions (courtesy, respect, humor)

How to implement a good PowerPoint presentation?

 

-      Think about the structure of the presentation.

-      Concentrate on getting a few simple points across.

-      Keep the attention of the audience.

-      Text in overheads should be large enough so that everyone can read them.

-      If using a table, mark clearly the figure(s) you want the listeners to concentrate on.

-      Too much animation can be distracting, so avoid animation overload.

-      Handouts are generally a good idea; however, make sure that they do not deflect attention from your talk.

-      The total duration of one presentation should not exceed 25 minutes.

-      Never forget to speak slowly.

-      Sum up your key arguments as bullet points in the conclusion.

 

How to prepare sound questions and lead a fine discussion?

 

-      Do not do to others what you would not want to have done to you.

-      Prepare the type of questions that you would like to receive yourself.

-      Put forward open questions; avoid the possibility of simply answering yes or no.

-      Concentrate your questions around key issues of the particular topic.

-      In your answer, include comments aimed at alerting the audience to the wider implications of the issue discussed and boosting the debate.

-      Be brief; do not occupy the majority of the debate yourself.

-      Think positively; a critique of the opinion of others can wait until after they have presented their idea.

-      Remember that the Powerpoint is only a roadmap of the presentation of the group you are evaluating: your final, written comments should be based on the in-class presentation and the course of the subsequent discussion. 

 

Guidelines for Seminar Paper

 

Before embarking on writing the seminar paper, each student must have an assigned mentor. Without a mentor, a student cannot submit a seminar paper and enrol in the written examination of the course. Final seminar paper mentors are assigned to students by the heads of the seminar classes, Mirna Jusić ([e-mail]) (English-language seminars) and Kamila Vlčková ([e-mail]) (Czech-language seminars). Mentors are usually students of the Doctoral Program in Public and Social Policy, and they are assigned to students based on the congruence of the assignment  themes with mentors’ thematic focus and expertise.

 

Procedures and deadlines

 

·       For every student, it is mandatory to submit a proposal of the topic of their work by 9 November, using the form provided in Moodle. The mentor will subsequently provide their feedback of the proposal and, following eventual adjustments to the proposal by the student, will approve the proposal.

·       Submission of a draft of the seminar paper by 7 December is mandatory. Studentsshould send the draft to their mentor and upload it electronically to Moodle. Drafts should follow the recommended structure of assignments (provided below) and the main arguments and analysis should already be well-advanced.  This is crucial for the mentor to be able to provide the student with valuable comments on how to best improve their papers.

·       Students will agree on the date and time of an online meeting with their mentors after submitting a draft of the seminar paper, and consult with them on their drafts. This online meeting can take place on a platform that suits the mentor and the student.

·       Students are obliged to send the final seminar paper directly to their mentors and upload them on Moodle 3 days before the final examination at the latest. Mentors will confirm that students’ seminar papers are of sufficient quality to be able to enter the exam via mentor´s email 1 day before the exam at the latest. After the evaluation of the assignments, students can improve their work one more time and gain additional points.

 

Communication with mentors

 

A)   The student and the mentor communicate in the following ways:

·       Via email, as the main tool of communication between the student and the mentor;

·       Online or via phone, at a time and on a means of communication that is mutually agreed-upon.

·       The proposal, draft and final version of the seminar paper have to be submitted electronically via Moodle as well, as per the above schedule. 

B)   Students should have in mind that mentors will not be able to respond to their queries and questions immediately. Mentors are obliged to reply to students within 10 working days of the receipt of students’ work via Moodle or requests via emails. An exception is the written confirmation that mentors send to students after receiving their final seminar papers, which is mandatory for students to attend the written exam.

C)   Students should send the final version of their seminar paper via Moodle 3 days before the final examination at the latest in order to receive a timely confirmation by the mentor. After reviewing the paper, if the mentor assesses that the seminar paper is of sufficient quality for the student to be able to proceed to the written examination, they are obliged to provide via email a confirmation of the acceptance of the assignment as a precondition for the student to enroll in the written examination 1 day before the examination at the latest.

D)   Each student is entitled to at least 3 e-mail consultations with their mentor (not counting an online meeting after the submission of the paper draft by 7 December). The mentor may, at his or her discretion and depending on availability, choose to offer more consultations.

E)    Each mentor will agree with the student on how to implement and monitor changes in the seminar paper (I.e. which specific sections of the paper they will comment on if feedback to other parts of the paper has already been addressed by the student).

F)    Mentors provide students with general feedback on their proposal, their draft version of the seminar paper and their final version, as well as grade them via Moodle. Specific feedback (e.g. on paper drafts) may be provided via email.

 

Evaluation Criteria for Seminar Paper (maximum 28 points)

 

·       The final written assignment should fall within the range of 24,000 and 36,000 characters with spaces without attachments and bibliography. Students are obliged to update it otherwise.

·       It is possible to write the seminar paper within 45,000 and 63,000 characters with spaces without attachments and bibliography authored by a mini-team of two students. Students are obliged to update it otherwise. In the final version of the assignment, it is necessary to specify its authors´ shares.

·       The study must meet the requirements of scientific text (language, style, citation, and work with sources (ISO 690 etc.), title, page numbering, formalities, rules, spelling.

·       Recommended structure:

o   Cover page (title, author’s name and email, institution)

o   Table of contents

o   Summary

o   Introduction

o   Definition of cognitive or practical problems (where exactly the study will contribute to a better understanding, an introduction to more specialized issues, defining the problem, laying out the research questions, formulating the objectives of the study)

o   Recapitulation of the current state of knowledge (formal sources with references)

o   Theoretical background based on specific theoretical conceptualizations, etc.

o   Outline of the methodology used (choice of procedure, limits, methods of application)

o   Analytical procedure and results (e.g., specific problems, goals, actors, places of policy-making, tools, processes, existing public policy documents, the decisions taken, etc. associated with the topic)

o   Conclusion (answer to the research question and the goal of the work, including critical evaluation of the results, recommendations for further direction of investigation)

o   Bibliography and sources

o   Appendices (optional)

 

Evaluation criteria for seminar paper and points

The level of academic text: Criteria pertaining to the quality of academic text as such: title, page numbers, grammar and spelling, style, use of citations/sources	4
Structure: Whether the appropriate structure of an academic text is followed.	4
Work with literature/sources: Whether the student has incorporated relevant sources in their paper	2
Problem delimitation:  Problem identification and focus of paper   Whether (relevant) theories are applied well Empirical/practical aspects:	6
Conceptual framework: Appropriate theories / concepts used	6
Empirical/practical aspects: How the issue has been operationalized, how methods have been applied	6
Total	28

 

Anti-plagiarism procedure

 

Students submit their final seminar papers onto Moodle prior to the exam. They have to do so in the Turnitin column in Moodle, under Seminar 5. This step is absolutely mandatory as to verify that students have not engaged in plagiarism when writing their assignments.

 

Turnitin is an anti-plagiarism software that will automatically scan papers for instances of plagiarism and will inform instructors whether or not a student has plagiarised parts of their paper. 

 

Plagiarism refers to cases where students are not properly citing sources in their final written assignments, but copying other authors' work, ideas, materials or data, and passing them off as their own. This also pertains to copying parts of students’ own earlier work without properly acknowledging it. 

 

Charles University treats instances of plagiarism very seriously. Any form of plagiarism is unacceptable and will be dealt with using official procedures. Students are therefore advised to take special precaution and make sure that they cite all the sources they are using in their seminar paper properly. 

 

For more information, please see the following guide on bibliographic citation of our faculty: 

https://fsv.cuni.cz/en/academics/forms-and-regulations/study-regulations/bibliographic-citation-guide

 

Also see the Faculty of Social Sciences Dean's provision concerning citing:

https://fsv.cuni.cz/en/deans-provision-no-182015

 

Students should also note that the confirmation they receive from their mentor that their final written assignment is of sufficient quality for them to enter the exam only represents a provisional acceptance of the paper. In other words, if the test for plagiarism - automatically performed through the Turnitin software in Moodle - confirms plagiarism, student assignments can still be refused and students may not pass the course in such instances. 

 

Basic sources in English

Potůček, M. et al. 2017. Public Policy. A comprehensive Introduction. Prague, Karolinum Press. This is the key textbook for this course. It is available free of charge on the E-resources Portal of the Student Information System (SIS).

Howlet, M., Ramesh, M., Perl, A. 2009. 3rd edition. Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Peters, Guy B.: 2015. Advanced Introduction to Public Policy. Northampton: Edwaard Elgar Publishing.

Potůček, M., LeLoup, L., Jenei, G. and Váradi, L. 2003. Public Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: Theories, Methods, Practices. Bratislava: NISPAcee.

Routledge Handbook of Public Policy. 2013. London and New York: Routledge.

 

Základní literatura v češtině

Potůček, M. a kol. 2016. Veřejná politika. Praha: C. H. BECK. Jde o základní učebnici pro tento kurs dostupnou v českém jazyce,

Potůček, M. a kol. 2005 (2. vyd. 2010). Veřejná politika. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství.

Veselý, A., Nekola. M. (eds.) 2008. Analýza a tvorba veřejných politik: Přístupy, metody a praxe. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství.