2024/2025 KAN-CPOLO2402U Evidence Based Public Policy
English Title | |
Evidence Based Public Policy |
Course information |
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Language | English |
Course ECTS | 7.5 ECTS |
Type | Mandatory (also offered as elective) |
Level | Full Degree Master |
Duration | One Semester |
Start time of the course | Spring |
Timetable | Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk |
Study board |
Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics,
MSc
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Course coordinator | |
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Teaching methods | |
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Last updated on 25-06-2024 |
Relevant links |
Learning objectives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Course content, structure and pedagogical approach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The course discusses the role of evidence---e.g., data, expertise, scientific knowledge---in the design and evaluation of public policies. It focuses on how politicians gather such data, who supplies evidence and why, and how this input is processed to evaluate the success or failure of various public policies. The course comes at the time of increased reliance of data, AI, and digital transformation that shape public policy and public management. This is not a technical course; rather it reviews issues of evidence quality, transparency, legitimacy, and common approaches in different policy areas that incorporate data and evidence to fundamentally alter how decisions are taken at a much faster pace and almost micro-focus. We will work through policy area specific case studies and applications, such as tax compliance, health policy, reduction of poverty, green transition and so on. The course directly connects to Applied Policy Analysis and the other stream course.
In relation to Nordic Nine This course focuses on understanding the use of public policy
relevant data and evidence. The course equips students with a
plethora of transformative capabilities in accordance with the
Nordic Nine. The concentration on evidence based policy
alternatives requires a data driven framework and the success or
failure of these policies requires systematic incorporation and
interpretation of ambiguity (NN2). In conjunction with this
capability, the course relies heavily on previous methodological
training received by students and forces them, to re-learn those
methods, apply them in specific areas, and discuss these with
others (NN8). These areas also present serious ethical challenges
pertaining to transparency, long- and short term benefits, or
potential inequalities or back-fire effects, presenting students
with fundamental ethical dilemmas (NN5). Furthermore, student
capabilities regarding the production of prosperity and protection
of the prosperity of next generations (NN7) are fostered through
sections of the course that are dedicated to green policies, but
also issues of inequality and poverty. In tandem, these core
aspects can enhance policy design or compliance and ultimately
safeguard responsible policy making and promote temporally
responsible choices. The course fosters in-class group work and
relies on peer-discussions in class, but also expects students to
prepare at least one individual final paper that engages critically
with a topic provided. Overall, the course creates an environment
conducive of being "you are critical when thinking and
constructive when collaborating" (NN6). Finally, given that
evidence based policies create the context in which businesses
operate and also rely on input from businesses, the course
indirectly relates to NN1 and NN3.
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Description of the teaching methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lectures with discussion; case and literature based classes with ample discussion/Q&A, reading and writing workshops. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feedback during the teaching period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
We will dedicate workshop sessions for reading and writing related progress for the final assignment preparation, where in-class feedback will be offered to all participants based on their activities and materials produced. In addition, during lectures and seminar classes we will have time for questions and feedback. Furthermore, all students are encouraged to take full advantage of staff office hours to discuss course content and course related topics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student workload | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Expected literature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sample readings:
Bogenschneider, K., & Corbett, T. (2021). Evidence-based policymaking: envisioning a new era of theory, research, and practice. Routledge.
van Ooijen, C., Ubaldi, B., & Welby, B. (2019). A data-driven public sector: Enabling the strategic use of data for productive, inclusive and trustworthy governance. OECD Working Paper.
Bunea, A., & Chrisp, J. (2023). Reconciling participatory and evidence-based policymaking in the EU Better Regulation policy: mission (im) possible?. Journal of European Integration, 45(5), 729-750.
Pencheva, I., Esteve, M., & Mikhaylov, S. J. (2020). Big Data and AI–A transformational shift for government: So, what next for research?. Public Policy and Administration, 35(1), 24-44.
Callander, S. (2008). A theory of policy expertise. Quarterly Journal of Political Science, 3(2), 123-140.
Mertens, S., Herberz, M., Hahnel, U. J., & Brosch, T. (2022). The effectiveness of nudging: A meta-analysis of choice architecture interventions across behavioral domains. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(1). |