Critical Theory on Policy and Practice (M)

In this course students will understand mainstream and critical theories and concepts of policy research and analysis. The course will shed light on the process of policy making and the ways in which policies are designed and implemented on the local, national and global level. Students will also learn about various types of actors involved in policy making, the ideas that drive policy design and the importance of discourses. The course will also involve the historical analysis of (public) policies and the contradiction between policy continuity and change. By the end of the course students will be able to apply critical theories of policy analysis on various policy areas, on different policy tiers and related to diverse political and geographical contexts. A varied set of policy fields are used to illustrate critical policy analysis, including e.g. reproductive and family policies, public health and welfare policies, energy policies.