This summer school is offered by Central European University co-sponsored by Budapest Institute and the WWWforEurope consortium. The course covers several facets and methods of public policy, with an introduction to quantitative evaluation of policy interventions. First, the interest of the students is meant to be raised with a few examples, then we place public policy in a wider web of endeavours and disciplines, and links to related fields (e.g. law, economics, sociology, political science) are shown. Then the four key elements of the policy context are discussed: institutions, actors, ideas and instruments of policy. Next, the concept of policy cycle along with limitations and alternatives is introduced. During the next lessons steps of the policy cycle process (agenda setting / policy formulation / decision / implementation / evaluation) are discussed in detail. Case studies and examples taken from the experience of different countries and addressing different public policy issues are presented to help participants relate to the approaches presented. Alternative models of policy formation are also discussed. The second half of the course is devoted to an an introduction to quantitative evaluation methods. After the fundamentals and main principles of evaluations are demonstrated, the importance of random experiments is stressed. Evaluation methods using observational data (matching methods, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity) as well as the assessment of distributional and equilibrium effects of policy interventions are also demonstrated. FacultyBeyond their background in teaching and research, the course director and the faculty also have extensive experience both as civil servants and as think tank professionals in both the design and evaluation of public policy. Several of them work for a think tank called the Budapest Institute (www.budapestinstitute.eu). Teaching methodsIn addition to lectures, the course stresses independent work in break-out groups and relies heavily on case studies. We would approach participants with a short online questionnaire beforehand. Theoretical background is presented at lectures (including invited lectures by hands-on experts on their recent policy-related work) and discussed during seminars. Actual instances of policy-related work by the lecturers is also shown in class and discussed. Homework assignments include home reading and writing a policy brief on a topic chosen by the participant, which is presented at the end of the course. Key readings include excerpts from these textsBardach: A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis. 4th ed. Sage 2012 Howlett, Ramesh and Pearl: Studying Public Policy. 3rd ed. Oxford UP 2009Moran et al: Oxford Handbook of Public Policy. Oxford UP 2006Khandker, Koolwal, and Samad: Handbook on Impact Evaluation %E2%80" Quantitative Methods and Practices. Washington, D.C.: World Bank 2010Several short case studies on topics and areas fitting the interest and countries of origin of the participants.Assessment

Course leader
Course director:Balzs Vradi, Budapest Institute for Public Policy Analysis, Budapest, HungaryFaculty:Anna Adamecz, Budapest Institute for Policy Analysis, Budapest, HungaryGabor Kezdi, Department of Economics, Central European University, Buda

Target group
The target group includes students finishing their social science studies at an MA or MSc level and planning to enter civil service,civil servants early in their careers, andthose working for NGO's. Pre-requisitesWe assume no more than a first degree in one of the social sciences or law (or, as an exception, in other disciplines), but we would compose groups for group work so that students with a more advanced quantitative background (Economics or Mathematics) can use their forte.Undergraduates without a BA degree or equivalent will not be considered.Language requirementThe language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops.



Course aim
Aims of the course: what will you have learnt? - You should have an appreciation for the different tasks arising around the public policy process as well as the pitfalls occurring during it.- You should be able to communicate with colleagues and partners with different backgrounds, both domestic and international, about policy goals, alternatives and decisions,- You should acquire a certain understanding of several methods in the toolbox of a policy analyst.- You should, with guidance, be able to procure and judge the appropriateness of quantitative evaluation exercises on your own.

Credits info
2 ECTS Having successfully completed the course, all participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance and 2 ECTS credit points. Those who wish to earn an extra credit point can choose to take an exam, which will require them to solve an evaluation case study in the form of a take-home assignment.

Fee info
EUR 800: Tuition Fee: 800 EUR ("Early Bird" fee: 720 EUR) EUR 550: 550 EUR ("Early Bird" fee: 500 EUR) - Applicants who are employed by a non-profit organization or by the government of a developing country, or who pay the fee themselves are eligible to pay a reduced fee of 550 EUR.

Scholarships
A very limited number of especially deserving and promising applicants can be considered for tuition waiver or, in very special cases, a scholarship - please indicate if you want to be considered for any of these and please include your argument in the mo

Central European University
Address: Summer University, 1051 Budapest, Nador Street 9, Hungary
Postal code: 1012
City: Budapest
Country: Hungary
Website: http://www.summeruniversity.ceu.hu/
E-mail: summeru@ceu.hu
Phone: 00-36-1-327-3811