Values and Public Policy: Political Philosophy in Practice

VALUES AND PUBLIC POLICY: POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY IN PRACTICE

ABOUT COURSE

Our Values and Public Policy: Political Philosophy in Practice course promotes careful and critical evaluation of the thinking that should underpin good policy decisions and reflection on the moral complexities that policy makers must engage with. It explores practical dilemmas when the idea of government’s purpose may conflict with fundamental values, virtue and morality.

There are five key themes explored in the course:

Purpose – being able to evaluate the purpose of public policy and government, and understand the role of the individual.

Decision-making – understanding the distinctions between what decisions to make and how to make them.

Values – being able to apply philosophical approaches to evaluate values in public policy.

Ethics – the application of ethics for moral leadership: weighing up different moral/ethical decisions.

Problem solving – dealing with wicked problems in a complex world and applying technical solutions.

Watch the one-minute video below for an overview of the course. our Values and Public Policy: Political Philosophy in Practice course promotes careful and critical evaluation of the thinking that should underpin good policy decisions and reflection on the moral complexities that policy makers must engage with. It explores practical dilemmas when the idea of government’s purpose may conflict with fundamental values, virtue and morality.

There are five key themes explored in the course:

Purpose – being able to evaluate the purpose of public policy and government, and understand the role of the individual.

Decision-making – understanding the distinctions between what decisions to make and how to make them.

Values – being able to apply philosophical approaches to evaluate values in public policy.

Ethics – the application of ethics for moral leadership: weighing up different moral/ethical decisions.

Problem solving – dealing with wicked problems in a complex world and applying technical solutions.

Watch the one-minute video below for an overview of the course.

DURATION

3 August 2024 (deadline 1pm (GMT) on 2 August 2024)

8 weeks (3-5 hours of study per week recommended)

REQUIREMENT

The online course is designed for you if you need to interact with, understand and interpret policy as part of your job.

You should consider this course if:

you are a mid-career professional working in an NGO, agency, public or private sector, are a journalist or a civil servant who wants to move into a specialised or management career and must learn to operate more effectively at a strategic level;
you are a concerned citizen looking to better understand the complex public policy-making process which directly affects you and your community;
you are an experienced professional in the Civil Service and are ready to move to a Senior Executive Officer (SEO) position or Higher Executive Officer role (HEO);
you are highly experienced in strategy and need a programme which will provide you with the tools to help you remain effective and current in your position;
you are highly experienced in strategy and need a programme that will provide the tools to help you remain effective and current in your position.
There are no entry requirements for this short course, though it is expected that you will have had some exposure to politics/political theory and philosophy before joining. It is also expected that you have career experience working with policy, in any industry.

In addition, please be aware that this is a master’s level course, so will take a certain level of commitment. Learners are expected to dedicate 3-5 hours a week to their studies, with all activities and tasks taking place online.

There are no specific entry requirements. However, please be aware this course will take a certain level of commitment. Learners are expected to dedicate 3–5 hours a week to their studies, with all activities and tasks taking place online.

MODULES

You will study eight modules over the course of eight weeks. It is a collaborative learning process, week-by-week, so you will have ample opportunity to discuss key policy topics with your peers and a course Facilitator.

Activities will include set readings, reflection exercises, multiple-choice questions and discussion forums. Your Facilitator will guide you through these activities and provide feedback at each stage. Not all tasks will be graded but you will need to participate in each to successfully complete the course and qualify for your certificate.

The final assessment, completed in module eight, will be your main summative assignment. It will be marked by your Facilitator and will be worth 50% of yMODour final grade.

COURSE OUTCOME

Throughout this online course, you will have the opportunity to explore some of today’s most pressing policy questions.

These may include: Who should pay for the damage caused by climate change and why?

How do we protect the rights of minorities within society? Can we justify inequalities in society?

What is the role of public policy in addressing inequalities that are the result of historical injustices – for example, the gender pay gap, diversity in the workplace, and equal access to healthcare)?

Should we impose limits on freedom of speech? Upon completion, you will receive a certificate to support your career progression. This programme is also certified by CPD UK. Learners will be able to request their CPD certificate after successfully finishing the course, using their certificate of completion as proof of eligibility. The course has an estimated 40 hours of learning, equating to 40 CPD points. Note, the onus is on students to request these CPD certificates at the end of their studies. The University and its partners accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

THROUGHOUT THIS ONLINE COURSE, YOU WILL

identify where the moral and political meet, recognising when issues of public policy are not solely technical but involve fundamental values and conflicts between these values;
enhance your understanding of the key-value concepts that should inform public policy;
develop skills of reasoning about and resolving ethical dilemmas and be able to communicate their conclusions and the reasons for them;
critically scrutinise your own ethical and political assumptions, and reflect on the moral complexities of policymaking scenarios that you have or may find yourself in.