Module: Policy Challenges

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Policy Challenges
Module Code	POL1056 (ITS: LG5007)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module is designed to allow students address a series of real-world policy challenges. Each week students will be exposed to specific problems and be led in a discussion of the issues at stake, and the choices available to policy makers. Outside experts and practitioners will be brought in which will allow students exposure to real policy makers and a more realistic sense of how policy is really made. It will also afford the students opportunities to network with academic specialists and policy makers in the areas covered.

Learning Outcomes

1. develop a working knowledge of policy issues quickly.
2. understand critical issues in a wide array of policy issues.
3. engage with policy makers on a policy issues in a sophisticated way.
4. present and critically assess academic research related to a policy question.
5. be able to identify current research puzzles and unresolved problems in the literature.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Attendance and participation.
Assignment Completion	22	Weekly assignment related to lecture.
Independent Study	180	No Description
Assignment Completion	24	End of module assignment.
Total Workload: 248

Section Breakdown
CRN	20929	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Deiric Ó Broin	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Weekly one page report setting out the issues in a policy area. These should be provided in advance of the seminar.	30%	n/a
Assignment	Research paper that presents scopes out existing literature on a topic, and presents choices for policy makers, with recommendations and reasonable assessment of certainty/ risk associated with policy options.	70%	Week 30

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Readings
Each topic will draw on a unique set of readings set by the lecturer in advance of the class.

Indicative schedule of policy areas
- Health Policy - Urban/Spatial Policy - Fiscal Policy - Labour Market Policy - Education Policy - Rural Policy - Corruption and Public Administration - Regulation and Competition Policy - Energy Policy - Industrial policy

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None