Course

Unit 1

Unit I Fundamentals of Public Policy definitions, scope and significance; the policy cycle; Typology of public policies: distributive, regulatory, redistributive, and constituent; Key actors in policy making; linkages between public policy and design thinking

Unit 2

Unit II Introduction to Design Thinking. History & fundamentals. Relevance of design thinking in public policy. Participatory design and co-production. Public policy frameworks and participatory design. Rationale and ethical dimension of co-production.

Unit 3

Unit III Policy experimentation and adaptive policymaking. Policy Implementation and Scaling. Overcoming barriers to policy implementation. Scaling policy solutions effectively; Monitoring, evaluation and Impact Analysis.

Unit 4

Unit IV Multi-Stakeholder Engagement. Co-design and co-production in public policy. Engaging stakeholders and building partnerships. Managing conflicts and facilitating consensus. Public-private partnerships.

Unit 5

Unit V Communication and Storytelling in Policy Design. Crafting compelling policy narratives. Presenting policy ideas and proposals effectively.

Text Books / References

Textbooks and Papers:

• Bason, C. (2016). Design for policy. Routledge
• Cairney, P. (2019). Understanding Public Policy: Theories and Issues. Red Globe Press.
• Dye, T. R. (2013). Understanding Public Policy (14th ed.). Pearson.
• Chakrabarti, R., & Sanyal, K. (2017). Public policy in India. Oxford University Press.
• Moore, M. H. (1995). Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government. Harvard University Press.
• Stone, D. (2012). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making (3rd ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
• OECD. (2001). Citizens as partners: OECD handbook on information, consultation and public participation in policymaking. OECD Publishing.

Reference Books:

• Ansell, C., & Gash, A. (2008). Collaborative Governance in Theory and Practice. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(4), 543-571.
• Maheshwari, S. R. (2001). Public administration in India: The higher civil service. Oxford University Press.
• Bason, C. (2010), Leading Public Sector Innovation: Co-creating for a Better Society. Policy Press.
• Brown, T. and J. Wyatt (2010), Design Thinking for social innovation, in Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter, pp.30-37.
• Mintrom, M., & Luetjens, J. (2016). Design Thinking in Policymaking Processes: Opportunities and Challenges. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 75(3), 391-402.
• Jones, M. D., McBeth, M. K., & Shanahan, E. A. (Eds.). (2014). The science of stories: Applications of the narrative policy framework in public policy analysis. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Pitroda, S. (2021). Redesign the world: A global call to action. Penguin Random House India.

Prerequisite: NA

This course introduces students to the principles of design thinking and their application in the field of public policy, incorporating foundational concepts of public policy making, stakeholder engagement, and problem- solving in governance. Emphasis is placed on co-production and user-centered approaches to public policy design. It equips students with analytical and creative tools to formulate evidence-informed, citizen-responsive, and context- sensitive policies in complex multi-stakeholder environments. The course also explores the fundamentals of public policy, its definition, stages, actors, and types, to ground students efforts in policy design and governance frameworks.

Course Objectives:

1. To gain a basic understanding of the principles and concepts of co-production and design thinking in the context of public policy.
2. To develop a critical understanding of how to apply design thinking methodologies to policy challenges.
3. To understand how to evaluate the effectiveness of design thinking in addressing complex policy issues.
4. To gain knowledge and tools to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams to co-create innovative policy solutions.
5. To be able to communicate policy ideas and proposals effectively using various forms of media.

Course Outcomes:

CO1: Develop a mindset necessary for effective design thinking, such as divergent and convergent thinking, empathetic thinking, ethnographic approach, adaptive policymaking, etc.

CO2: Apply tools of design thinking to formulate policy solutions to complex societal challenges. CO3: CO3: Interpret and advocate for design thinking in a team or organizational context.

CO4: Evaluate policy impact and show how research can be translated into policy action.

CO5: Develop ways to improve decision-making and policy analysis, based on the principles of design thinking.

Skills:

• Students will gain the ability to understand and analyze complex governance systems to identify leverage points for policy intervention

• Students will have proficiency in conducting stakeholder analysis and needs assessment in policy contexts

• Students will be developing skills in stakeholder engagement to ensure the effective implementation of policy interventions

-Program outcome PO – Course Outcomes CO Mapping

Program Specific Outcomes PSO – Course Objectives – Mapping

*CA – Can be Quizzes, Assignment, Projects, and Reports, and Seminar