Core Curriculum

Introduction to Public Policy is the entry point to the study of Public Policy at the Brandt School. This module introduces students to the "art and science" of policy analysis, the policy cycle and to (the history of) Public Policy as a discipline. It takes place in the first semester and consists of the lecture "Introduction to Public Policy", a tutorial devoted to learning the relevant academic tools and a module examination.

Introduction to Public Policy focuses on theory and methods of policy analysis and offers a general overview of the theoretical background, issues, actors and processes involved in the analysis, formulation and assessment of public policy. It also provides the basic analytical toolkit for both the subsequent curriculum as well as for further professional practice. The course reflects the distinctive approach to the study of public policy at the Brandt School and is based on a multi-disciplinary approach. In addition to selected texts that have defined the field, the course uses practical case studies devoted to a range of policy problems.

This module takes place in the first semester. Depending on their previous knowledge of Economics, students choose one out of two lectures, "Economic Policy Analysis" or "Microeconomics I: Game Theory", and complete a module examination. 

Economic Policy Analysis
"Economic Policy Analysis" introduces micro- and macro-economic concepts and tools needed to analyze public policy problems and to evaluate policy alternatives and decisions. The scope of the course covers economic data analysis for decision-making, forecasting, demand analysis, pricing, and cost analysis; topics include market structure, cost and production, international trade and finance, national income determination, and monetary and fiscal policy. 

Microeconomics I: Game Theory
"Microeconomics I: Game Theory" introduces the basic concepts of non-cooperative game theory. Special emphasis is put on applications to political and social sciences. The course examines game theoretical models and economic theories of individual and collective decision-making. Students should have a basic background in mathematics and statistics.

This module takes place in the second semester and consists of the seminar "Comparative and International Public Policy" and a module examination. The course equips students with an understanding of theoretical frameworks and methodologies in order (1) to analyze and compare public policies and politics across a variety of national and sub-national contexts and (2) to analyze and learn how to shape international and global policy processes.

This module takes place in the first semester and consists of a lecture and a module examination. It introduces students to Public Administration, from the classic conception of public administration (Max Weber) via organizational theory, organizational change and governance to New Public Management and entrepreneurial government. 

The contemporary management revolution in the public sector that is driven by political, economic, technological and cultural forces has led to a re-evaluation of the role of public administrators. The state has lost the monopoly for creating public value, globalization has exposed public value creation processes to new competitive pressures, and new collaborative technologies are enabling new “business” models and strategies. After framing the issue analytically, the course draws out their implications for the public manager. The course discusses contracting as a new form of managing public administration, develops a sensibility for the accountability issues involved, and proposes policy entrepreneurship as a guiding model to strategically manage public value creation processes in multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder policy networks. 

Part of the course is dedicated to the management of public finances. It introduces the basic principles of public finance and financial management in the public sector. Students will learn about analytical tools of financial planning, implementation and monitoring. This part of the course begins with an overview of the history and development of public finance. The role of the state and the theoretical justifications for state intervention will be discussed as well as public finance and public sector budgeting, always including the discussion of methodological, theoretical an empirical approaches. The main topics addressed are: welfare state economics, social insurance, public choice theory, public goods, externalities, taxation, (public) budgeting and cost-benefit analysis.

Being able to  analyse complex situations is an indispensable task for future leaders but one must also develop the personal skills to implemenet solutions. This module combines management and personal skills which are necessary for leadership functions in the public sector. It takes place in the second semester and consists of a lecture and a module examination. 

The course delves into the theory and practice of public sector management, with a focus on strategic management. It introduces students to a variety of analytical techniques useful for policy implementation and managing organizational performance. 

Strategic management in public administration involves defining public value, mobilizing legitimacy and support for that value, and developing and deploying the operational capacity to deliver it. By the end of the course, students are able to diagnose an organization’s strategic position and develop a plan for improving its performance; they should also be able to understand the organizational factors likely to affect a given policy’s implementation and to adjust policy design to produce a better outcome.

Related to that, leadership is the ability to influence a group of people towards a goal. Students will improve their leadership capacities through practice, reflection and feedback.

This module takes place in the third semester and consists of the seminar "Ethics in the Public Sector" and a module examination. The aim of public policy is to advance the public interest and produce public goods. Sometimes it is, however, not obvious what constitutes the public interest. This course discusses the ethical issues and moral dilemmas within the public sector, for example, regarding the production and consumption of public goods. It focuses on a set of modern attempts to answer these problems and questions. 

The course examines the normative dimension of government, administration and politics (individual freedom, collective decision-making and electoral systems, distributive justice, competitive distribution of goods) as well as of international politics (peace, war, poverty, inequality) and international distributive justice. Students learn to reflect political and public action with regards to ethical aspects. They examine normative requirements expeted of political and economic institutions and their representatives with respect to public and private goods, personal virtues, legality and legitimacy, finances and taxes. They are thus capacitated to represent public and societal interest.