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SPOL41060

Academic Year 2026/2027

Public Administration & Policy (SPOL41060)

Subject:
Social Policy
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Soc Pol, Soc Wrk & Soc Justice
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Matthew Donoghue
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The purpose of this Module is to explore the role played by systems of public administration in modern policy making. As well as considering a variety of theories, models and frameworks for understanding the relationship between public administration and policy, the Module examines some contemporary challenges and reforms which are changing the nature of this relationship. The influence of the EU and international organisations on national administrative systems also forms part of the Module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand how administrative systems have evolved and operate, as a key context for and instrument of contemporary public policy-making;
2. Be able to critically evaluate the main elements of academic debate on different module themes, such as agencification, network governance, implementation, and public sector reform generally;
3. Be able to apply findings and theories to real-world policy issues.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics include, for example:
- Why public administration matters
- Public Administration and Policy-Making
- Agencification, Autonomy and Control in Public Administration and Policy
- Network Forms of Governance
- Sub-national public administration
- Transnational public administration

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Core readings to be done each week prior to the class.
A short lecture reviewing key themes and issues is followed by group discussion, both small-group and full-class discussions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not taught nor used in this module. In line with the UCD Academic Integrity Policy, generative AI may only be used in assignments if transparently reported (e.g. in the Method section) outlining for which tasks AI was used.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Public Administration & Policy (CSSL40010)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay on Public Administration Week 9 Graded No
40
 No
Exam (In-person): Written exam for 2 hours - 8 question, choose any 3. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
40
 No
Reflective Assignment: Submission of short reflective piece following review of recommended materials on AI and academic research/writing. Week 2 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
5
 No
Reflective Assignment: Submission of short reflective piece following review of recommended materials on academic writing and referencing. Week 3 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
5
 No
Portfolio: Submission of portfolio following attendance at two public policy seminars/events during the term Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Comments online via Brightspace

A reading list will be provided as part of the module outline.

Name Role
Mark Callanan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Orla Kelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Stephan Koeppe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Michelle Norris Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Nessa Winston Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 14:00 - 15:50
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