1. Introduction to Policy Analysis (Huynh The Du)
Readings:
*Vu Thanh Tu Anh (2009)
* HKS (2002)
Nguyen Dinh Tho (2011), Chapter 1
Mendeley (2015).
2. Identifying a Public Policy Issue (Huynh The Du)
Readings:
* Hoang Thi Hong Loc (2014), Chapter 1
Dunn (2008), Chapter 3.
The first session of the course is devoted to a general introduction of the analytical framework for and the process of doing public policy analysis. The course then introduces the process of undertaking a policy analysis exercise, from identifying and structuring a public policy problem to designing a strategy to address that policy problem. This strategy should specify the approach (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods), sources of data/information, models and tools that will be used to formulate and evaluate policy options and finally make policy recommendations.
The first half of the course ends with general guidelines on how to write and present a policy analysis paper effectively. This section also raises the issue of research ethics and discusses situations in which there exist conflicts of values and/or interests.
In the second half of the course, students will be divided into three groups according to their thesis areas. Students are then introduced to methods, models, and tools that are more specific to their policy analysis areas. They also have opportunities to present their policy research ideas and methodology and receive feedback from their classmates and lecturers.
