| Unit name | Corruption and Public Policy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM0055 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Peiffer |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Corruption impacts all stages of the policy making process and at the same time, the ‘fight against corruption’ has gained prominence in international public policy circles, attracting billions in investment. This unit examines the relationship between corruption and public policy processes, as well as policies designed to control corruption. Drawing on cases from several contexts, the unit encourages a critical assessment of what is known and not known about the causes of corruption, where corruption is concentrated in the world, and its consequences for public policy, as well as the effectiveness of anticorruption policies.
How does this unit fit into the programme of study
This unit is one of several optional units you can choose to take in the second term of study. This unit provides an opportunity for you to understand how corruption impacts on policy as well as the design and track record of anticorruption policies.
An overview of content
The unit considers how corruption is defined and measured and how influential definitions of corruption have shaped anticorruption policies and beliefs about who in global society is likely to perpetrate corruption. It considers the hypothesized causes and consequences of corruption and engages with arguments that suggest that corruption is a symptom or cause of political, economic and social developmental trends. Finally, it introduces several anticorruption policies and engages with the evidence available and arguments around how, and if corruption can and should be controlled
How will students be different as a result of the unit:
You will become more confident in understanding how corruption is thought to influence public policy processes in several different contexts, and you will be able to identify how corruption is measured and the implications of different understandings of corruption. You will also hone your ability to critically analyse different aspects of policy, especially through the examination of evidence that exists for the causes of corruption and the impacts of anticorruption policies; this will bolster assuredness more generally around your own ability to critically engage with a variety of claims around the impacts on and of policy.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through face-to-face weekly lectures and seminars. Student learning is supported via the online learning platform, Blackboard, where lecture materials and tasks are listed weekly. Each week you will be asked to undertake a specific task or reading to discuss in the seminar session. There is also an emphasis on self-directed study and reading.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported in your summative assessment by a formative element consisting of a 500 word (max) written policy brief plan/outline. You will have an opportunity to discuss your outline in a planned seminar session and during the weekly Unit drop-in office hours. The unit convenor will give written or oral (recorded) feedback on ONE draft of your outline.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Policy Brief (2500 words maximum, 100%)
This assessment addresses all of the unit learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment, or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0055).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
