Course Outlines

CP101 Introductory Public Policy Analysis
This module covers the analysis, design, evaluation and marketing of public policies in India. It has three broad components.
 The first component deals with an overview of the normative and positive aspects of the Indian state and its governments and focuses on the roles, motivations and behaviours of the various players in the dynamics of policy making. It aims to provide students with a basic framework to understand how public policies are made in India.

The next component introduces key concepts and methods of policy analysis and provides a practical guide on how they might be applied to address India’s developmental challenges.

The final component covers policy assessment and programme evaluation with an emphasis on analytical methods.

CP102 Economic Reasoning and Public Policy
This module concerns the application of economic reasoning to the design, implementation and outcome evaluation of public policies in India.

The module will first provide an overview of analytical insights and international experiences on factors contributing to sustained high long-term economic growth. It will then introduce the basic concepts of demand and supply, and how these can be used to analyse such policies as price controls, minimum wage, import and export duties, subsidies and others. The key point which would be emphasised is the need to maintain a reasonable balance between demand and supply in a dynamic context.

The module will then discuss the primary socio-economic function of public sector enterprises and organisations involved in providing basic amenities and services, such as roads, education, healthcare and waste management. This component will also introduce the key economic concepts relevant for public policies.

The rest of the module will focus on selected public policy areas and themes. These include: budgeting for results; reforming public sector enterprises; options for infrastructure development and maintenance; public-private partnerships; food security and agriculture; social protection policies; and India’s urban challenges.

 CP121 and CP122 – Weekend Policy Workshops
Tentatively scheduled for the fifth and tenth weekends, the weekend policy workshops will cover discussions over course material, contemporary issues and guest lectures over three continuous days (Friday to Sunday) each.

(Elective) CP151 – Approaches to India’s Key Development Challenges
This module will cover key development challenges: security, education, energy and healthcare, etc. 
Each of the modules will understand the current situation, assess medium-term and long-term requirements, identify the key challenges and discuss policy solutions.

(Elective) CP191 – Policy Research Project
This is a guided self-study module where students can propose to conduct an in-depth study into a topic of their own choice, and apply the frameworks, techniques and methods taught in the core modules.

 The course will be assessed based on the submission of a policy paper of around 3000 words along with a one page executive summary. This must be submitted by the end of the 12th week.

Students opting for this module must secure approval for their topic within 15 days of the start of the course. If the topic is not approved by that date, students must take CP151 instead.

Required Books

Recommended Books