Explore UCD

UCD Home >

POL36270

Academic Year 2025/2026

Understanding Government: Theory and Reality (POL36270)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Stefan Muller
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Why does it seem like good government is so hard to deliver? And how do we know ‘good government’ when we see it? This module examines the realities of policymaking by contrasting academic theories and normative expectations with the political, social, and institutional constraints that shape outcomes in practice. Focusing on Ireland as the primary case study, the module investigates the tensions between ideal policy frameworks and the compromises required in real-world governance. High profile experts with deep, practical experience of different aspects of government will join different modules to help bring real world case studies to life.

Students will critically engage with academic literature on public policy, governance, and political institutions to analyse how policies are designed, negotiated, and implemented. The module provides tools to understand government-opposition dynamics, assess the stages of the policy process, and evaluate the role of political parties, the civil service, special interest groups, traditional and social media, public opinion, and administrative capacity in shaping decisions.

Central to the module are detailed case studies of illustrative cases of policymaking and policy implementation in Ireland. These will serve as the basis for examining how – and why – theory and reality so often diverge. Students will learn to critique policies with reference to both theoretical expectations and the context and the constraints faced by those who create them and then have to implement them.

Contributors to the module will include actors directly involved in or closely observing the policymaking process, including former ministers, senior civil servants, political advisors, agency lead and journalists. Their insights will offer students an opportunity to test theoretical models against real experiences and provide suggestions for improved policymaking.

By combining theoretical analysis with real world case studies, the module equips students with a critical and applied understanding of policymaking, highlighting the interplay between ideas, institutions, and power.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Understand and apply policy analysis frameworks to critique real-world policies and governance.
2. Understand the dynamics of policymaking in a parliamentary system.
3. Critically assess the influence of political and social factors on government policy making and policy outcomes.
4. Reflect on the roles of stakeholders, including politicians, civil servants, political advisors, journalists, and the public, in the policymaking process.
5. Obtain and evaluate first-hand insights from government insiders, policymakers and practitioners

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

176

Lectures

24

Total

200


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches that may be used in this module include traditional lectures, workshop and seminar-based approaches, enquiry & problem-based learning, debates, case-based learning, simulations, case-study analysis and discussion, participative learning through class discussion, group work, critical writing, and student presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Group work: Presenting and analysing a policy in a written report (1,000 words) and audiovisual format (e.g., podcast, video, a series explainers) (40%) Week 5 Graded No
40
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual assignment: Across four discussion sessions, students develop one question for the guest speaker in advance and prepare a short response paper after the panel discussion. (5% each) Week 5, Week 7, Week 9, Week 11 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual assignment/problem-based learning: Presenting a case for policy action from a set of pre-defined areas and questions (2,500 words) (40%) Week 12 Graded No
40
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.