Model-based Policy Design and Analysis
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- GEO-SD308
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the students will be able to:
Knowledge
- Explain in stock/flow/feedback terms how the fundamental structures of dynamic systems produce behaviors that are problematic from the perspective of public and private policy makers;
- Explain how institutional factors might influence policy implementation and feasibility.
- Formulate hypotheses (in words, diagrams, and a set of model equations) as tentative structural improvements to explanatory models of problematic dynamic behavior; and,
- Explain the process of policy parameter analysis to identify and evaluate potential leverage points for improving model behavior.
Skills
- Perform policy sensitivity analysis to ensure the robustness of a policy recommendation;
- Establish and apply criteria for evaluating how well a model structure contributes to the explanation of an observed dynamic behavior;
- Assess data requirements in light of a model's sensitivity to policy parameter estimates;
- Explain whether and how the institutional and political ground of a system might affect its dynamic response to policy change;
- Evaluate policy implementation obstacles and modify expected benefits accordingly; and,
- Produce a written discussion of a model-based policy design and analysis in a way that highlights the proposed structural changes to an explanatory model, the expected dynamics of the proposed changes, and the method of analyzing and testing the policy options.
General competence
- Conduct research and model-based policy analysis with a high degree of independence, responsibility, and reliability;
- Participate in theoretical and practical discussions driven by critical thinking;
- Access and interpret relevant scientific and policy literature;
- Write and speak effectively about their work and relevant issues;
- Ask and answer questions and engage in discussion and debate in a classroom setting; and
- Effectively present their model-based policy analysis in a way that facilitates communication and understanding, particularly to non-technical audiences that include policy makers and their staff.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Compulsory assignments must be approved before the student can take the exam. Approved compulsory assignments are valid in the current and the following semester.
Forms of Assessment
One week take home exam in the last (sixth) week of the course (100% of grade)
The exam assignment will be given in the language of instruction in the course.
The exam answer must be submitted in the same language as the exam assignment.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester
Students with valid absence as defined in the UiB regulations § 5-5 can apply for an extended submission deadline to studieveileder.geog@uib.no. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired. Maximum one week extension.