Policymaking in a European Context Future Visions and Competing Powers Course code: SOC465 Programme Utrecht School of Governance, Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Masaryk University Brno Extra Curricular Intensive Course intended for third and fourth grade students Date: November 8–13 2012 Credits: 10 ECTS Number of participants: 25 Lecturers: Dr Wieger Bakker (Utrecht School of Governance) and Viktor Timmemans MA (Utrecht University, Twynstra Gudde) Content In this course policymaking explicitly is placed first in the context of the process of European integration and unification. The emphasis here will be first on the social and cultural aspects of that process, dealing with questions of citizenship and identity. Second, this course emphasizes the constraints and demands that result from this integration process and with which local and national policymakers have to deal in their professional practice. Keywords are, among others, integrity, accountability, effectiveness and citizen participation. During this course we, thirdly, seek to bridge the gap between theory and practice by using the introduced concepts for the analysis and evaluation of actual (small scale) policies. As an exercise, we will experiment with the construction of a policy proposal. There is also a direct link between policymaking and images of the future, since we make policy plans on the basis of what we hope, fear and expect with regard to the future. Learning outcomes After successfully passing the course, the student * Is able to analyze and discuss the meaning of –the social and cultural aspects of- European integration and unification for policymaking on the national and the local level. * Is able to demonstrate basis knowledge on the characteristics of processes of policy formation and implementation; governance and public accountability. * Is able to assess the relevance of future oriented methods (e.g. forecasting, scenarios) for developing policy plans; * Is able to analyze local social problems on the possibilities and limitations for developing public policies; * Is able to design, to present and to defend a concrete future oriented policy plan. Working methods and requirements The working methods during this course require an active participation of the students. Apart from (introductory) lectures there will be an emphasis on debate, analysis, case solving and presentation. During the last day of the course subgroups of students present their own policy plan. The schedule for this course is full time. Most of the four days there are 6 – 8 hours collective seminar sessions with a break in between, partly needed for preparing (subgroup) assignments. Some relevant articles will be made available in digital form (by a so called ‘E-reader’) and/or handed out during the first session. Students are expected to study these articles during the course. Fluency in English is imperative. The participants are expected to be present at all meetings. Final Assignment and grading After the four days course students are expected to write a paper. The formal requirements are: - 10-12 pages (3000 words min. / 4000 words max.) ‘pure’ text (i.e. excluding the front page with the title, name of the student, e-mail address, the content page and the bibliography at the end). - The paper can be written in the form of a ‘classical’ academic paper as well as a scenario paper or a policy proposal. Precise instructions about the three options will be given during the course. The content of the paper can be based on the assignment one has worked on during the course, but has to show significant added value. - The paper has to be sent electronically (in word) to both lecturers (see below for the e-mail addresses). - THE DEADLINE FOR SENDING IN PAPERS IS DECEMBER 20 2012 - The course will be graded on the basis of participation during the course days and on the quality of the paper Dr Wieger Bakker: e-mail: W.E.Bakker@uu.nl Program Nota Bene: the program as described below is flexible. Dependent on the interests of the participants and the experiences of the lecturers, changes in the program can be made on the spot. We expect the students to be available from 9.00 – 17.00 hours on course days. Thursday November 8^th: Policymaking between rationality, competing powers and future visions 9.15-10.00 Opening and introduction to the course 10.00-10.45 Effective and accountable policymaking as a European imperative (Wieger Bakker) 10.45 - 11.15 Coffee break 11.15-13.00 From analysis to intervention: developing policy strategies for the near future (Wieger Bakker) 13.00 -14.30 Lunch break 14.30 – 17.00 From government to governance and perspectives on the future (Wieger Bakker) Friday November 9^th: Developing policy strategy & European citizenship 9.15-10.45 From problem to action on: starting at the local level. presentation case assignment / defining and selecting local social problems / constituting subgroups (Wieger Bakker and Viktor Timmermans) 10.45 - 11.15 Coffee break 11.15 - 12.30 Translating thoughts and ideas to convincing proposals (Viktor Timmermans) 12.30 -14.00 Lunch break (including small lunch assignment subgroups) 14.00 - 14.30 Subgroup reports 14.30 – 15.30 Stakeholders, interests and realizing mutual gains (Viktor Timmermans) 15.45 - 17.00 Civic Culture, citizenship and identity in the light of Europeanization (Wieger Bakker) Monday November 12^th: Dealing with social problems & preparing case assignment and presentation 9.15 - 10.45 Parallel Workshops Case Assignment I & III Wieger Bakker, II & IV Viktor Timmermans 10.45 - 11.15 Coffee break 11.15 – 12.30 Making sustainability work: from an European discourse to local public-private practices (Viktor Timmermans) 12.30 - 14.00 Lunch break 14.00 - 16.00 Training presentation skills (Wieger Bakker and Viktor Timmermans) 16.00 – 1800 Subgroup preparation final presentation 18.00 – 20.30 Evening session: informal meeting Tuesday November 13^th : Presentations on local issues and reflections on Europe 9.15 -10.30 Student presentations and discussion 10.30 - 11.00 Coffee break 11.00 -12.15 Student presentations and discussion 12.30 - 13.30 Introduction Final Assignment and guidelines for writing the paper Closing session and Evaluation