Sem 1

Course description: This course gives an overview of the major social science approaches used in the conduct of theory, research and real-world public policy. Social science is an umbrella term that refers to the plurality of disciplines that study society. They include anthropology, sociology, economics, psychology, education, political science, political economy, public administration/public management, gender analysis, and, in some contexts, history, geography and law. These cannot be satisfactorily covered in one semester. To strike an acceptable balance between breadth and depth, this course will cover anthropology, sociology, gender analysis, political science, political economy, public administration/management and geography. These disciplines which, in important ways, inform governmental decisions and public resource allocations will be explored. The aim is to outline, for non-social scientists, the key disciplinary approaches that will enable both policy scientists and policy practitioners to contextualise the work they do. Learning outcomes: At the end of the course, students will be able to: • Describe the social context of public policy; • Recognise different disciplines that inform theory and research for public policy; and, • Explain the roots of subjectivity, objectivity, inter-subjectivity, and practicality in the conduct of theory and research for public policy. COURSE CONTENT 1. Basic Concepts • What is social science? • What is policy? • What makes public policy “public”? • Why teach social sciences to public policy experts? • Why study public policy? 2. Philosophy of social science • Social science history; • Logic and methods of social sciences: o Orthodox positivism; o Anti-positivism and critical theory; o Instrumentalism; o Functionalism, structuralism and post- structuralism; and, o Humanistic approaches. • Differences and similarities between “social” and “natural” sciences; • Causal relationships between social phenomena (if any); • Possible existence of social laws; and, Social science theory/research and how it relates to public policy. 3. Anthropological approaches a. Cultural evolutionism & its implications for “universalism”; b. Neo-evolutionism & the rise of “modernity” i. Cultural relativity; and, ii. Importance of empiricism/case study. c. Diffusion & the resurrection of universalism d. Structural functionalism; and, Implications of anthropological approaches/world views for public policy (processes, content, etc). 4. Sociological approaches Sociological approaches; The industrial revolution & the rise of scientific approach to society; Structural perspectives vs individualistic approaches; Selected approaches: a. Marx and the conflict perspective; b. Comte & the scientific study of society; c. Spencer & the rise of holistic approaches; d. Durkheim, structural functionalism and the importance of social “facts”: i. Use of symbols; and, ii. The symbolic – interaction perspective. Weber’s analysis of social change; and, Implications of sociological approaches/world views for public policy. 5. Gender Dimensions of Public Policy • Historical roots of the gender movement; • Gendered perspectives of public policy; • From WID to GAD; • Social relations school of thought; • Feminists perspectives of public policy; and, implications of gendered world views for public policy. 6. Political Science Approaches • Theory and practice of politics; • Analysis of political institutions, systems and behaviour; • Diverse political science approaches o Rational choice theory; o Political economy; o Structuralism and post-structuralism; o Institutionalism; o Marxist approaches • Implications for “the politics” of public policy; and, • Implications for the “governance” of public policy. 7. Public administration • Development management and planned change 8. Psychology and public policy • The mind, human consciousness, and public policy 9. Geography and public policy • The environment and public policy • Natural resources politics and public policy Mode of delivery The course will be delivered using a combination of lectures, seminars, group assignments, and group presentations. Assessment: The assessment will be based on course works and a final examination, each of which must be passed independently. The allocation of grades will be as follows: 20% group paper presentation; 10% class participation; 20% individual course work; and 50% final examination. Indicative readings: Alford, J. and Janine, O. 2012. Rethinking Public Service Delivery: Managing with External Providers, Basingstoke/GB: Palgrave Macmillan. Campbell, J. 2002. Ideas, Politics and Public Policy, Annual Review of Sociology, Volume 28, pages 21-38. California: Annual Reviews. Go, J. (ed.) 1982. Political Power and Social Theory, volume 3, Bradford: Emerald Group. Hughes, O. 2003. Public Management and Administration: An Introduction 3rd Edition, Melbourne: Palgrave Macmillan. Jarvie, I. and Jesus, Z. 2011. The SAGE Handbook of the Philosophy of Social Sciences, London: Sage Publications. Kraft, M. and Scott, F. 2012. Public Policy: Politics, Analysis and Alternatives, London: Sage Publications. Mayhew, D. 1991. Divided we Govern: Party Control, Lawmaking and Investigations, New Haven: Yale University Press. Mills, C. W. [1959]2000. The Sociological Imagination, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Porteba, J. 2002. The Colour of Welfare: How Racism Undermined the War on Poverty, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Rabin, J. (ed.) 2005. Encyclopaedia of Public Administration and Public Policy, Supplement Edition, Florida: CRC Press. Robbins, R. 2008. Cultural Anthropology: A Problem-based Approach, 5th Edition, Belmont: Wadsworth. Rosenberg, A. 2012. Philosophy of Social Science, 4th Edition, Colorado: Westview Press. Tummala, K. (ed.) 2005. Comparative Bureaucratic Systems, Lanham, MD/USA: Lexington Books. Tummala, K. (ed.) 2009. Public Administration and Public Policy, vol. 1 and vol. 2. Ramsey: EOLSS Publishers. World Bank 2012. World Development Report 2012: Gender, Equality and Development, Washington, DC: World Bank.