An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2007-2008
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
BA in Public & Social Policy
Self-Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
November-December 2008
31st January – 1st February 2008
26th June 2008
This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its
committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above
review, its context and its outcomes.
Quality Office, November 2008
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
1. Overview of the Programme
1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Programme
Aims & Objectives
 To provide students with a thorough understanding of the multi-faceted discipline of
policy studies.
 To provide students with a detailed level of understanding of how policy is formulated,
evaluated and implemented.
 To prepare students for the complex, intricate process of policy making, within
governmental organisations, private sector organisations, or within the ever expanding
sphere of the voluntary and community sector.
The multidisciplinary nature of the degree, encompassing Sociology, Politics, Law and
Economics, illustrates the compound nature of policy-making and the increasing need for
professional ability in this field.
 Within Sociology and Politics, students learn about key concepts pertinent to Ireland,
including Poverty, Equality, Environmentalism, Local and Regional Government,
National Administration, Health and Education.
 Within Economics, students gain an appreciation of the strong link between
implementing policy and fiscal considerations. In times of budgetary constraints
difficult choices need to be made.
 Within Law, students acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the Irish and European
legal systems, within which policy makers must now operate.
Programme Priorities
 Benchmarking of the curriculum as well as the definition of Learning Outcomes for the
programme in combination with a review of the curriculum.
 Evaluation of student examination performance in comparison to the BA Omnibus
Programme as well as an investigation of the level of Repeat Students in the 2BA6.
 The appointment of an External Examiner to the programme
 Allocation of a dedicated budget for the programme
 The creation of established roles and responsibilities for the Co-ordinator(s) of the
programme.
 The establishment of a Curriculum Board for the programme to facilitate on-going revision
and evaluation of the programme.
 The allocation of dedicated administrative support to the Programme.
1.2 Background
The B.A in Public & Social Policy programme began in September 1998.
The overall responsibility for the direction of the degree is the Head of the sponsor Department
or School. This rotates every three years between the three Departments, The School of
Political Science and Sociology, The Law Department & the Department of Economics.
2
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
3
Within this programme each Department/School uses its own organisational structures and
management practices to facilitate implementation of the course. Some courses on the B.A.
Public and Social Policy programme are also constituent courses within the B.A. omnibus
programme, to which all three departments contribute. Such a situation allows for dovetailing of
many management and administration issues.
The programme does not have a budget or specific administrative support. Nor does the
programme have an External Examiner. Instead courses are examined by the External
Examiners within each department this has meant that no one Examiner considers the
cumulative results of students or the overall coherence of the programme
1.3 Accommodation and Facilities
As the Programme is run by three different departments its core facilities are spread around the
NUI Galway Campus. The academic departments of the School of Political Science and
Sociology are located in the Áras Moyola Building, the Faculty of Law is located in the Arts &
Sciences Building and the Economics Department is located in the Cairnes Building
Students currently feel that because the programme is run by three different departments, they
are not ‘owned’ by any department and that consequently their needs are not adequately catered
for. In meetings with staff, students have expressed the view that the university should have a
policy unit or centre to which the students might belong.
2. Review Group Visit and Report
This report arises from a visit by a review group to the BA in Public and Social Policy from 31 January to 1
February 2008. The Programme Board had already prepared and submitted a ‘Self Assessment Report’ that, with
other documentation, was made available to the Group in advance of the visit.
The Review Group consisted of; Professor Tim Blackman, Director, Wolfson Research Institute,
Durham University (Chair); Dr Brid Quinn, Department of Politics and Public Administration,
University of Limerick; Dr Rachel Cave, Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences, NUI Galway (Cognate); Dr
Andrew Flaus, Department of Biochemistry, NUI Galway (Rapporteur).
2.1 Summary, and Main Recommendations from Report
Summary
The BA PSP was launched with the aim of providing trained graduates in public and social
policy for a rapidly evolving Ireland. This continues to fit well with current strategic priorities 1
and 4 of NUI Galway to provide attractive courses for high quality students, and to maximize
contribution at national and regional levels.
A clear opportunity exists for the BA in Public and Social Policy. Despite continuing difficulties
with achievement, coherence, and organisational structures, the original vision of the
programme’s founders remains both alive and appealing for many students. The fundamental
challenge to be faced by those responsible is whether the will exists to implement its multidisciplinary nature effectively, perhaps in a radically revised format.
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
4
It is crucial that the lack of a formal and effective coordination structure across contributing
disciplines is redressed. It will then be possible to implement standard practices for which there
is ample expertise from other multi-disciplinary programmes within the university. Within a
solid organisational foundation, a coherent programme of study can finally be assembled to
target the aims and objectives of the degree. These must nevertheless be based on a realistic
assessment of the needs of both students and employers.
The need for immediate and fundamental reform of the BA in Public and Social Policy is
without question. The programme cannot continue to trade on laudable intent, goodwill of
students, and the enthusiasm of a handful of motivated staff.
Main Recommendations
Organisation and Management
1. The Head of the Department of Political Science and Sociology should take permanent
leadership of the BA PSP. This is an Arts degree programme with ultimate responsibility
held by the Dean of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies.
2. The heads of the three contributing departments should each nominate a Departmental
Coordinator from within their department. Except in extreme circumstances, changes in
nomination should only occur immediately after the summer exams to facilitate
preparation for the start of the next academic year.
3. The Head of Political Science and Sociology should appoint one of the departmental
coordinators as Programme Director, responsible for a smooth and consistent experience
for all students and staff involved with the programme on a day-to-day basis. There is no
a priori need for this assignment to be rotated. The role definition of this position should
also specify the limits of involvement where they interface with responsibilities specific
to departmental coordinators and module teachers.
4. The Programme Director should take on specific responsibility for 1st year students
because this is the crucial year for many students. The other two departmental
coordinators should take on visible and effective overall coordination roles for 2nd and
3rd year respectively.
5. The Head of Political Science and Sociology should chair a Programme Board to take
direct responsibility for the success of the BA PSP. The Programme Board should
include the heads of the contributing departments, the departmental coordinators, and
other contributors where pertinent. It should oversee curriculum and statutory
requirements, monitor standards, ensure teaching quality, and oversee coordination of the
programme. The Programme Director should ensure that the Programme Board meets at
least twice a year, with minutes reported to the Dean of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic
Studies.
6. The Programme Director should convene a Teaching Committee of relevant staff across
all disciplines that contribute to the programme. The Programme Director should ensure
that the Teaching Committee meets at the start of each semester and also specifically to
review exam results of all BA PSP students in advance of the Faculty exam board
meetings. The minutes of these meetings should be reported to the Programme Board.
7. A single comprehensive handbook covering all three years of the programme should be
created before the end of the current academic year (07/08) and provided to all students
in orientation sessions at the start of the next academic year (08/09). This handbook
should be created together by the three year group coordinators under the leadership of
the Programme Director, with input from the class reps.
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
5
8. A dedicated notice board for programme-specific information should be set up in an
appropriate location accessible to students, and maintained by the departmental
coordinators. All timetables and other relevant programme-wide information should be
displayed there. Blackboard should be used for module-specific information.
9. The content and design of the BA PSP presentation in the Faculty of Arts brochure could
be readily adapted to a small programme-specific brochure, with the small costs involved
being shared between the two Faculties benefiting from the degree.
10. The appointment of an External Examiner would provide useful overview of the
programme’s content, efficacy and student achievement. University management told the
Review Group that they were unaware of any formal request for an external examiner but
saw no reason why funds would not be available for this.
Programmes and Instruction
11. The Programme Board and Teaching Committee must act decisively to achieve
programme coherence, greater balance between the subject streams, continuity within the
curriculum, and connectivity between modules.
12. Immediate priority must be given to monitoring the failure rate among first years and the
ongoing increase in repeat students in second year. Attention should also be given the
low proportion of 2.1 and first class awards in 3rd year. These are causes for serious
concern.
13. Monitoring of the career paths of graduates is also recommended, as there seems to be a
disconnection between the programme’s stated aims and employment patterns.
14. The Programme Board should also consider radical restructuring of the programme to
facilitate a stronger policy focus. Consideration should also be given to reorganising the
programme content in a manner that retains core elements but allows for disciplineoriented routes through the BA PSP. This is the model in place for comparable
programmes at the University of Michigan, the University of Limerick and University
College Cork.
15. In reviewing the programme content, the Programme Board should consider including:
a. More training in applied research and evaluation.
b. Greater focus on preparation for evidence-based decision-making.
c. The opportunity to engage in self-directed learning/research in the form of a final
year project/dissertation.
d. The inclusion of an experiential learning component to enhance the policyoriented programme.
e. Articulation and development of the generic skills.
f. The appropriate level of microeconomics for this programme.
g. The provision of extra tutorials. The Review Group noted worthy attempts to
address subject specific difficulties in Economics, and such measures may also be
necessary for other modules.
16. The Teaching Committee should bring all programme contributors together to:
a. Agree learning outcomes, assessment and feedback strategies. The expertise of
CELT could be drawn upon in this respect.
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
6
b. Encourage regular revision and updating of the contents of all modules to reflect
policy developments and new publications.
c. Address the attendance problems referred to by some of those interviewed. This
needs to be tackled at both programme and module levels and a culture of
responsibility for their learning fostered among students.
Scholarship and Research
17. Stronger links should be developed between this programme and research being carried
out by contributing faculty. The opportunity for linkages with local research centres and
institutes should be actively explored and exploited, including potential contributions to
the University’s ambition for expansion of postgraduate programmes. Leadership for this
should be taken by the Programme Board.
The Wider Context
18. Careful consideration should be given by the Programme Board to how the programme is
positioned and branded in its market. Consultation with employers would be useful and a
change in the name of the programme may be advisable.
19. The Programme Board, in consultation with the Faculties of Arts and Law, should
undertake a formal analysis of options for re-orienting the curriculum. The Review
Group considered three possible scenarios in the time available to it:
a. Retention of the BA PSP as a tripartite interdisciplinary programme combining
substantive components of politics and sociology, economics, and law within the
current format. The programme itself would nevertheless be subject to significant
improvements in curriculum and organisation. This retains the original vision of
the programme but does not directly address the problem of low entry standards
to a challenging academic programme.
b. Redesign of BA PSP to retain the broad tripartite thematic core, but with
specialisation on one or two components beginning in 2nd year and emphasised in
the 3rd year. This maintains disciplinary depth in the specialisations and assures
overall academic standards, whilst respecting the realistic ability and career
prospects of the students entering the programme.
c. Assimilation into the 4 year BA Connect initiative, with necessary adaptation of
components. This simplifies the Arts Faculty offerings and provides the
necessary organisational framework for the programme. The experience of those
involved with BA PSP may benefit BA Connect. This option requires extensive
adaptation of the curriculum and may reduce access to the course for mature
students and those with poorer Leaving Certificate scores.
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
7
3. Action Plans
Follow Up Meeting,
Thursday 26th June 2008
in Room 333, Aras Moyola
Present: Professor Jim Gosling (Chair), Dr Seamus MacMathuna (representing The Registrar), Dr
Andrew Flaus (Review Group), Dr Rachel Cave (Review Group), Dr Brid Quinn (Review Group), Dr
Sharon Flynn (CELT), Professor Kevin Barry (Dean of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies), Ms
Yvonne O’Connor (Arts, Social Sciencs and Celtic Studies), Professor Michael Keane (Dean of
Commerce), Mr Keith Warnock (VP for Physical Resources), Mr Brendan Kennelly, Professor Chris
Curtin, Dr Michelle Millar, Mr Liam Coen, Dr Mary Silles, Ms Maureen O’Sullivan (representing Dean
of Law), Ms Maureen Linnane (in attendance)
Apologies: Mr Chris McNairney.
Action Plan for the Programme Director and Board:
1. The Programme Director and the Heads of the contributing Schools will take every
action and precaution possible to enable the Dean of Arts Social Sciences and Celtic
Studies (the Dean), the Council of Deans and the Registrar to put in place policies and
other measures that will ensure that the study programme leading to the BA in Public and
Social Policy is fully supported by contributing schools and has continuity of effective
management.
2. The Programme Board (The Board) will establish a Teaching Committee that includes
relevant staff across all contributing disciplines, and that will meet frequently initially
and, subsequently, at least at the start of each semester.
3. Supported by the Dean (and if necessary by the Council of Deans and the Registrar), The
BA-PSP Programme Board will meet at least twice per year and work with the
Programme Director to revise all aspects of the Programme.
4. As an immediate and primary objective, the Board and Teaching Committee will act
decisively to achieve greater programme coherence, balance between the subject streams,
continuity within the curriculum, and connectivity between modules.
5. As an objective for implementation in 2009–10, the Board (in consultation with the Dean
and the contributing Schools) will undertake a formal analysis of options for re-orienting
the Programme. Three possible scenarios were suggested by the Review Group, briefly:
a. Retention of the BA PSP as a tripartite interdisciplinary programme.
b. Redesign of BA PSP to retain the broad tripartite thematic core, but with
specialisation on one or two components beginning in 2nd year and emphasised in
the 3rd year.
c. Assimilation into the 4 year BA Connect panel of programmes, with necessary
adaptation of components.
6. The Teaching Committee will bring all programme contributors together to:
o Agree learning outcomes, assessment and feedback strategies. The expertise of
CELT will be drawn upon in this respect.
o Encourage regular revision and updating of the contents of all modules to reflect
policy developments and new publications.
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
8
o Address attendance problems with the objective of supporting among students a
culture of responsibility for their own learning.
o Plan the provision of extra tutorials. The Review Group noted worthy attempts to
address subject specific difficulties in Economics, and such measures may also be
necessary for other modules.
7. In reviewing the Programme content, the Teaching Committee and Board will consider:
o A work plan aimed meeting the Marks and Standards deadline for changes
affecting the academic year 2009-10.
o The career paths of current graduates with inputs from the Career’s Office. The
objective will be to improve the connections between the programme’s (revised)
aims and probable employment patterns.
o More training in applied research and evaluation.
o Greater focus on preparation for evidence-based decision-making.
o The opportunity to engage in self-directed learning/research in the form of a final
year project/dissertation.
o The inclusion of an experiential learning component to enhance the policyoriented programme.
o Articulation and development of the generic skills.
o The appropriate level of microeconomics for this programme.
o Strengthening links to the three Research Centres within the Units contributing to
the Programme i.e. The Child and Family Research Centre, The Irish Centre for
Social Gerontology and The Centre for Disability Law and Policy.
8. The Programme Coordinator will take specific responsibility for 1st year students with
the two other departmental coordinators having overall coordination roles for 2nd and 3rd
year respectively; with effect from the academic year 2008-09.
9. Coherence within student cohorts and communications with students will be enhanced
and supported:
o Blackboard will be used fully, including for module-specific information.
o A single comprehensive handbook covering all three years of the programme will
be created and provided to all students in orientation sessions at the start of the
next academic year (08/09).
o A dedicated notice board for programme-specific information will be set up in an
appropriate location accessible to students, and all timetables and other relevant
programme-wide information will be displayed there.
10. The Board and Teaching Committee will review examination procedures, including:
o A request to the University for the appointment of a specific external examiner.
o Inclusion of a coordinated review of examination results for all BA-PSP students
in advance of the Faculty examination board meetings.
o As a priority, the monitoring of failure rates among first years and the ongoing
increase in repeat students in second year. Attention will also be given to the low
proportions of final 2.1 and first class awards.
11. In the context of the rolling reforms envisaged, the Board will consider how the
Programme is positioned and branded in its market. Employers and the Director of
Marketing will be consulted.
9
Report to Údarás – Review of BA in Public & Social Policy 2007–2008
Action Plan for the University
(including Registrar, Council of Deans, Dean of Arts SS & CS and heads of contributing
schools):
1. The Dean and College of Arts SS and CS recognise their responsibility for and
ownership of the multi-disciplinary study programme leading to the BA in Public and
Social Policy.
2. The Dean will propose that the Council of Deans decide policies and other measures that
will ensure that the BA in Public and Social Policy is fully supported by contributing
schools and has continuity of effective management. In particular, all relevant academic
and administrative staff in contributing schools will understand that BA-PSP is an
integral part of their school’s mission and that it is their duty to support the local
coordinator and the Programme Director as appropriate.
3. The Dean and the College of Arts SS and CS will establish a governance structure for the
BA-PSP, including:
o A Programme Board with specific responsibility for the BS-PSP. All meetings
will have minutes, as will all meetings of sub committees.
o A coordinator from each of the three main contributing Schools who will devote
a significant amount of time to the Programme. One coordinator will be
appointed by the Dean as Programme Director for a fixed term and act as
convenor of the Board.
4. The Quality Office will support an Away Day for the Programme Board and all staff
involved with this programme, to discuss and solve the problems of leadership of this
programme.
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Registrar, Professor Jim Ward, 2 October 2008
Dean of Arts SS & CS, Professor Kevin Barry, 29 September 2008
Programme Director, Dr Michelle Millar, 26 August 2008
Head of School of Political Science and Sociology, Professor Chris Curtin,
27 August 2008
Approved by: Head of School of Law, Ms Maureen O’Sullivan, 3 November 2008
Approved by: Head of Economics, Professor Eamon O’Shea, 14 October 2008
Approved by: Director of CELT, Dr. Iain MacLabhrainn, 18 September 2008
Approved by: Director of Human Resources, Mr Chris McNairney, 1 October 2008
Director of Quality,
Finalised: 3 November 2008