Professional Skills - Policy Making

3 EC

Semester 1 & 2, period 2, 5

5224PSPO3Y

Owner Master Biological Sciences
Coordinator C.M. Nijnens MSc
Part of Master Earth Sciences, Master Biological Sciences, track Ecology and Evolution, Master Biological Sciences, track General Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Oncology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cognitive Neurobiology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Psychopharmacology and Pathophysiology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Infection and Immunity, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cell Biology and Advanced Microscopy, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Experimental Internal Medicine, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Molecular Neurosciences, Master Physics and Astronomy, Master Biological Sciences, track Freshwater and Marine Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Physiology of Synapses and Networks, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Developmental and Therapeutic Biology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Medical Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Master Biomedical Sciences, track Cardiovascular Sciences, year 1Master Biological Sciences, track Evolution of Behaviour and Mind, Master Quantum Computer Science, Master Biological Sciences, track Green Life Sciences, Master Computational Science (Joint Degree),
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Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This Policy Making course focuses on understanding policy processes as well as practicing policy making skills. In four sessions you will learn to discern and analyze policy problems, design a policy intervention, and write a convincing policy document. 

  • Session 1 focuses on the policy making cycle and analyzing the problem (causality model).
  • Session 2 focuses on policy formulation and the different instruments policy makers can make use of for implementing their solutions.
  • Session 3 focuses on decision making and implementation.
  • Session 4 is all about presenting your policy solution and evaluating policies.

For all sessions you will need to prepare and after each session there will be a homework assignment.

Study materials

Literature

  • Selected chapters from the books: 

    M. Howlett, M. Ramesh and A. Perl, “Studying Public Policy, Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems,” Oxford University Press, Toronto, 2009.

    M. Howlett, M. Ramesh and A. Perl, “Studying Public Policy, Principles and Processes,” Oxford University Press, Toronto, 2020.

     

Objectives

  • Sketch a causal model for a policy problem.
  • Identify and compare policy solutions.
  • Recommend the most suitable solution(s) in a written policy proposal.
  • Design an infographic of the policy problem and recommended solution(s).
  • Pitch the policy problem and solution(s) and substantiate the choices made.
  • Reflect on own policy-making knowledge, skills and learning process.

Teaching methods

  • Presentation/symposium
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
  • Lecture
  • Supervision/feedback meeting
  • Self-study

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

Werkcollege

10

Self study

74

Total

84

(3 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    By being present and actively participating in group discussions and class assignments you are contributing to the learning environment as well as the learning process of yourself and others. The in-class assignments and discussions enable and promote the achievement of the course learning objectives. 

    If you are unable to attend a session, contact the course coordinator prior to that session to discuss your options for passing the course. Missing more than 25% will automatically result in a negative assessment (fail; “NAV”) of the course. 

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    Assignment 3: POLICY PROPOSAL (final version)

    Assignment 5: REFLECTION REPORT

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • C.M. Nijnens MSc