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Overview
What is the purpose of government? This is the fundamental question you will examine when studying this ground-breaking short course, delivered by the Blavatnik School of Government.
The Values and Public Policy - Political Philosophy in Practice programme from the University of Oxford promotes critical evaluation of the thinking that should underpin good policy decisions and reflection on the moral complexities that policymakers must engage with. It explores practical dilemmas when the idea of government’s purpose may conflict with fundamental values, virtue and morality.
Throughout this online course, you will:
- identify where the moral and political meet, recognising when issues of public policy are not solely technical but involve fundamental values and conflicts between these values;
- enhance your understanding of the key-value concepts that should inform public policy;
- develop skills of reasoning about and resolving ethical dilemmas and be able to communicate conclusions and the reasons for them; and
- critically scrutinise your own ethical and political assumptions, and reflect on the moral complexities of policymaking scenarios that you have or may find yourself in.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will understand the key moral and ethical value concepts that should inform public policy, knowledge which will have immediate benefits to your career. You will also receive a certificate that will support your career progression and enhance your resume.
This course is also certified by the CPD UK's (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service. Learners will be able to request their CPD certificate after successfully finishing the course, using their certificate of completion as proof of eligibility. The course has an estimated 40 hours of learning, equating to 40 CPD points.
Note, the onus is on students to request these CPD certificates at the end of their studies. The University and partners accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Programme Structure
You will study eight modules over the course of eight weeks.
It is a collaborative learning process, so you will have ample opportunity to discuss key policy topics with your peers and a course Facilitator – a professional with a relevant background who will provide academic guidance throughout your studies.
- Module 0: Getting started
- Module 1: Introduction to foundations
- Module 2: The common good
- Module 3: Distributive justice: property, tax and welfare
- Module 4: Distributive justice: social justice
- Module 5: Authority and resistance: democracy, its rivals and its pathologies
- Module 6: Authority and resistance: human rights and civil disobedience
- Module 7: Philosophy in public life
- Module 8: Summary
Lecturers
- Jonathan Wolff – Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy
- Tom Simpson – Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy
Key information
Duration
- Part-time
- 2 months
- 5 hrs/week
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApply anytime.
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
Language
English
Delivered
Online
- Semi-structured
- No Attendance
- Individual work/assignments (with online group discussions)
Disciplines
Philosophy Public Policy Political Science View 25 other Short Courses in Philosophy in United KingdomAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Other requirements
General requirements
- This distance learning course is designed for you if you need to interact with, understand and interpret policy as part of your job.
- You should consider this programme if you work in an NGO, an agency, the public or private sector, in journalism or the civil service.
- There are no entry requirements for this short course, though it is expected that you will have had some exposure to politics/political theory and philosophy before joining. It is also expected that you have career experience working with policy, in any industry.
- In addition, please be aware that this course will take a certain level of commitment. Learners are expected to dedicate 3-5 hours a week to their studies, with all activities and tasks taking place online.
Tuition Fee
To always see correct tuition fees
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International
1740 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1740 GBP for the full programme during 2 months. -
National
1740 GBP/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 1740 GBP for the full programme during 2 months.
- Discounts available to alumni and those working in the public sector. Evidence required.
Funding
We believe access to finance should never be a barrier to studying. Discounts on our online short courses are available to Oxford University alumni, those working in a public sector role and living in certain geographical regions* (evidence is required).
It is also possible to pay your fees in two instalments. The first payment will be a deposit to reserve your space on the course, and the second will settle your balance ahead of the course start date.
We also encourage employers to fund their employees on our online short courses. If your employer funds more than one employee, they can benefit from a corporate discount; the more employees they sponsor, the higher the discount they can receive.
* Eligible countries currently include Brazil, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Peru, Columbia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jordan, Egypt and all of Africa.
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