By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Identify theories, concepts and models of public policy making in governance networks
- Identify contemporary social problems and trends in public policy
- Distinguish between major strands and methods in policy studies
- Assess the quality of concrete policy research
- Reconstruct, interpret and ultimately evaluate concrete policy (programs or interventions and underlying assumptions or program theory)
- Formulate coherent policy recommendations based on supporting evidence
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In this course students will acquire knowledge and skills that are needed to reconstruct, interpret, analyse and evaluate policy programs in governance networks and will formulate policy recommendations based on empirical evidence, while keeping in mind the historical, institutional and political contexts of specific policies. In this first course within the master program “Contemporary Social problems” students will be introduced to a number of contemporary social problems, related policies and policy dilemma’s. Students will acquire sensitivity for different “logics” in public policy.
Next to the core lectures students will attend masterclasses by practitioners from differing policy fields. Both are on a weekly basis.
Students will make individual portfolio assignments centered around the masterclasses on a weekly basis and will make a collective assignment or research paper that will focus on the reconstruction of policy program theory, the formulation of a research question and the formulation of policy recommendations. The empirical research needed for this paper will be done within the course “Organizations: research in practice”.
Completing the Masters programme in Sociology: contemporary social problems provides students with:
Knowledge and understanding in the area of defining problems, theories, research and policy:
1a. Important theories and models for examination of current social issues;
specific knowledge and understanding in relation to one of the tracks on offer, specifically:
- Health, Policy and Organisations track: key concepts from the governance & network theory in relation to health issues;
- Crime and Safety track: key concepts in criminology in relation to public security issues;
- Internet, Social Media and Networking track: key concepts from social network theory in relation to social issues.
1b Sectoral and international comparative research on, for example, policy and organisation.
1c Scientific and field practice developments within a social sector or organisation.
1d The key characteristics of different domain-specific areas and problem contexts.
Application of knowledge and understanding.
2a Analyse complex questions from a sociological/interdisciplinary/comparative theoretical perspective and relate these to scientific and social debates.
2b Translate/apply new and previously acquired socio-scientific knowledge to current social issues.
2c Operationalise theoretical, methodological and practically-oriented understanding in a feasible research proposal.
2e Carry out independent research, draw conclusions from it in written and spoken form in a clear, straightforward manner to present to an audience of specialists and non-specialists.
2f Create a link between scientific knowledge, research questions and practical issues.
2g Provide a client with responsible advice on policy or organisation.
Form judgements about scientific, societal and ethical aspects.
3a Reflect on developments and discussions in science and society with regard to current social issues, on the basis of well-founded theoretical, analytical, methodological and practice-oriented considerations.
3b Critically reflect upon information they have gathered themselves on current social issues based on theoretical, methodological, practice-oriented and social considerations.
3c Adopt an honest and critical position in relation to research plans and results.
3e Think critically about the professional ethics of people working in sociology within a wide social context.
3f Think critically about the professional ethics of actors in the future professional field.
3g Make a sound assessment of the scientific quality of proposed measures and of the organisational, political and administrative and social practicality of the policy and organisation advice formulated.
Communication.
4a Report, independently and in an academically sound way, on their own activities and present clear recommendations to interested parties both verbally and in writing.
4d Critique and comment on reports by fellow students, others working in the field, colleagues and clients in a constructive manner.
Learning skills.
5b Reflect upon professional ethical issues within their future professional field.
5c Deal with ethical aspects in a well-considered manner as an academic professional.
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