GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course provides an introduction to public policy, which Thomas R. Dye defines simply, as “whatever governments choose to do or not to do.” This course examines the nature of public policies, how they are made, implemented and evaluated, and the central institutions and actors involved in policy-making.

The course pays particular attention to the theoretical approaches to policy-making. It delves into the stages of the policy process: problem definition and agenda-setting; policy formulation and adoption; implementation; and evaluation. The course also covers governance and policy-making; public policies beyond the nation-state; and policy change and policy convergence.

To help develop analytical and critical thinking on public policy, students will be asked to form groups that would conduct their own analysis of policies undertaken by the Japanese government in certain policy areas, such as economic, welfare, health, education, immigration, gender, defense or environmental policy.

Policy analysis, as Dye puts it, is “finding out what governments do, why they do it, and what difference, if any, it makes.” In the latter part of the course, the groups will be asked to submit written reports and to make powerpoint presentations on the policies studied and policy outcomes and impacts.

The course seeks:
• To acquaint students with public policy as an academic sub-discipline.
• To introduce students to key theories, concepts and/or approaches used in policy-making, policy implementation and policy evaluation.
• To help students examine public policies more critically.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The course will consist mainly of lectures, open discussion, and class activities. Students will be asked as well as encouraged to express their views on the topic being discussed. Audio-visual aids such as short video clips, photos, maps and illustrations will be used to help make issues and events much more concrete and vivid to students, and to help stimulate or enliven discussion and debate. Feedback on assignments will be provided during class discussions, by email or through individual consultations.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 1)

Introduction (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 1)

2[対面/face to face]：The Nature of Public Policies (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 2)

Typologies of Public Policies
Policy Dimensions
Policy Styles

3[対面/face to face]：The Context for Policy-Making: Central Institutions and Actors (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 3)

National Institutions: Defining the Rules of the Political Game
Intergovernmental Organizations: Global Public Policy
Key Actors

4[対面/face to face]：Theoretical Approaches to Policy-Making (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 4)

Structure-Based Models
Institution-Based Models
Interest-Based Models
Overview of the Models

5[対面/face to face]：Problem Definition and Agenda-Setting (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 5)

Problem Definition: The Path to Agenda-Setting
Analytical Concepts of Agenda-Setting
Actors and Interests in the Agenda-Setting Process

6[対面/face to face]：Decision-Making (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 6)

Determinants of Policy Formulation
Institutional and Procedural Dimensions of Decision-Making

7[対面/face to face]：Review & Midterm Exam

Assess to what degree students
understand topics discussed;
Midterm Exam

8[対面/face to face]：The Policy-Making Process in Japan

Institutional Arrangements and Bureaucratic Supremacy
Decentralization within the LDP
The 1994 Electoral Change
Hashimoto’s Reform to Strengthen the Cabinet
Top-Down Fiscal Policymaking under Koizumi
Failed Attempts by the DPJ Governments
Developments under the Second Abe Government

9[対面/face to face]：Implementation (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 7)

Who Is Involved in Policy Implementation?
Analytical Perspectives in Implementation Research
Implementation Success: Criteria and Determinants

10[対面/face to face]：Evaluation (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 8)

Types and Methods of Evaluation
Research Designs for Scientific Policy Evaluation
The Political Dimension of Policy Evaluation

11[対面/face to face]：Governance: A Synoptic Perspective on Policy-Making (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 9)

Central Concepts and Modes of Governance
Four Ideal Types of Governance
When Is Governance Good?

12[対面/face to face]：Public Policies beyond the Nation State (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 10); Policy Analysis Group Presentations

Public Policies beyond the Nation State: General Assessment
Policy Formulation: Typical Interest Constellations and Interaction
Policy Implementation

13[対面/face to face]：Policy Change and Policy Convergence (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 11); Policy Analysis Group Presentations

Policy Change: Theories, Measurement and General Patterns
Cross-National Policy Convergence: Concept, Measurement and Dimensions
Causes and Conditions of Cross-National Policy Convergence

14[対面/face to face]：Theoretical Insights and Practical Advice (Knill and Tosun, Chapter 12); Final Exam

What Have We Learned?
Comparative Research on Public Policy
Final Exam

Before class, students should study the required readings and work on any written assignment that may have to be submitted. After class, and especially before an exam, students should review their notes. Preparatory study is 2 hours for each class session, but group work may entail an additional 30 minutes. Review for an exam would take at least 3 hours.

Knill, C., & Tosun, J. (2020). Public Policy: A New Introduction (2nd ed.). London: Red Globe Press. (Students must buy a copy of the book or photocopy chapters from the library copy.)

Shinoda, T. (2020) The Policymaking Process in Japan. In Pekkanen, R.J. & Pekkanen, S.M. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dye, T.R. (2017). Understanding Public Policy (15th ed.). London and New York: Pearson Education.

Dodds, A. (2018) Comparative Public Policy (2nd ed.). London: Palgrave.

(Additional journal articles might be used in class and will be announced beforehand.)

Participation 40 %
[Recitation (20%);
Quizzes, Tasks, and, Assignments (40%);
Presentations (40%)]

Midterm examination: 30%
Final examination: 30%

None.

None.

Use of mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices in the classroom during class is prohibited (exceptions only in special cases). Students attending classes online should use desktops or laptops, not mobile phones.

None.