Course Catalogue

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This course explores the major social and public policy issues confronting Scotland's future. Tackling debates surrounding major challenges ranging from the climate emergency, inclusive growth, and the shift towards a Wellbeing Economy to immigration, NHS funding and delivery, and democratic engagement and accountability, it explores policymaking in Scotland in the context of devolution and the country's evolving constitutional settlement. Students will be provided with a deep theoretical and historical grounding to critically analyze contemporary policymaking and policy debates in Scotland in a national, British, European, and global context, and given the opportunity to develop in-depth policy expertise and skills surrounding policy writing and communication that are crucial for working in Scotland's policy landscape and ultimately shaping the country's policy future. Additionally, students will also have the opportunity to learn from external experts with policymaking experience in Scotland.

One hour weekly lecture

One hour weekly tutorial

Entry to Honours Social & Public Policy normally requires a grade point average of 12 (grade C3) over Social & Public Policy 2A and 2B (formerly Public Policy 2A and 2B) as a first attempt.

None

None

Policy Report, 3500 words (80%)

Presentation (20%) 

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Scotland's Policy Landscape (PLS) aims to provide a detailed examination of the primary social and public policy issues facing Scotland, particularly those where the country has the relevant devolved powers to enact primary legislation. It aims to critically analyze the structural and institutional factors that shape how social and public policy is made in Scotland and how these have changed over time; understand how Scotland's evolving constitutional status has shaped, and may continue to shape, the design and implementation of social and public policy; and Appraise policymaking in Scotland in an appropriate national and international context. 

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

■ Assess the extent, scope, and limitations of the public policy making powers of Scotland's parliament (Holyrood) in a national and international context-with particular reference to the United Kingdom, the European Union, and relevant international organizations-and how these have changed over time through devolution.

■ Critically assess potential approaches to key social and public policy issues facing Scotland.

■ Evaluate the impact of public policy created and implemented in Scotland under devolution.

■ Critically assess policy issues in the context of the current and evolving constitutional settlement between Holyrood and Westminster.

■ Act as confident, resourceful, and critical subject specialists with effective policy communication skills.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.