50220 Advocacy and Policy

This subject gives students practical experience in the processes of proposing and achieving policy change, the structures of governance, the positions of stakeholders and the roles of advocates inside and outside formal structures. It focuses on uses of communication strategies and possible sources of information to be used in putting up a case for change. Students explore the processes of policy making through looking at both theoretical underpinnings and the practices of making changes: the role of politicians, parties, community and the processes of lobbying as well as negotiation between power groups and intervention from the less powerful. It involves understanding the main and competing political ideologies and their proponents.

The subject examines the major changes, which have occurred over the last two decades in the role of the public sector, the market and community, as well as in the nuts and bolts of policy making from the point of view of liberal, conservative, social-democratic and radical approaches. These shifts in the concept of the role of government and the transformation of civil society have had major effects on policy frameworks and social movement and activists' practice.

In the practical component of this subject, students are expected to develop skills in critical analysis of public and social policies within and outside the current parameters of debate. This exercise should include analysing the current policy processes, identifying formal and informal key players, definition of power relations between them and the various documents and data needed to make a case for political and social change.

Developing advocacy strategies for change assists students in understanding the broad policy directions and dominant paradigms and how to argue against these on behalf of groups not well served by them. This is an advanced-level subject, which requires a melding of theory and practice. Students read widely on current political issues and are expected to become problem solvers, to look for ways of changing policy and engaging with interest groups.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus