{"ModuleCode":"PP5151","ModuleTitle":"Comparative Case Studies","Department":"Lee Kuan Yew School Of Public Policy","ModuleDescription":"Case studies are widely used in public policy analysis. But what assumptions do we rely on when we draw general lessons from specific policy events? What is the point of comparison and how can we do it fairly? This course examines what the systematic, close study of carefully chosen cases can teach us about political and policy processes. It will enable students to identify the major elements of comparative case studies as a research method, to consume published case studies in a critical manner, and to conduct an independent case study focused on public policy change.","ModuleCredit":"4","Workload":"0-3-0-3-4","Lecturers":["Ng Kok Hoe"],"IVLE":[{"Announcements":null,"Forums":[],"Workbins":[],"Webcasts":[],"Gradebooks":[],"Polls":[],"Multimedia":[],"LessonPlan":[],"ID":"9ae1b2f1-d287-4509-8eb9-7f25f40f9be1","CourseLevel":"1","CourseCode":"PP5151","CourseName":"COMPARATIVE CASE STUDIES","CourseDepartment":"","CourseSemester":"Semester 2","CourseAcadYear":"2014/2015","CourseOpenDate":"/Date(1417190400000+0800)/","CourseOpenDate_js":"2014-11-29T00:00:00","CourseCloseDate":"/Date(1433087940000+0800)/","CourseCloseDate_js":"2015-05-31T23:59:00","CourseMC":"0","isActive":"N","Permission":"S","Creator":{"UserID":null,"Name":"Agnes Tan Swee Tin","Email":null,"Title":null,"UserGuid":"27c9192b-db6d-4316-a5db-8551996dce99","AccountType":null},"hasGradebookItems":false,"hasTimetableItems":true,"hasGroupsItems":false,"hasClassGroupsForSignUp":false,"hasGuestRosterItems":true,"hasClassRosterItems":true,"hasWeblinkItems":false,"hasLecturerItems":true,"hasDescriptionItems":true,"hasReadingItems":false,"hasAnnouncementItems":false,"hasProjectGroupItems":false,"hasProjectGroupsForSignUp":false,"hasConsultationItems":false,"hasConsultationSlotsForSignUp":false,"hasLessonPlanItems":false,"Badge":0,"BadgeAnnouncement":0,"WebLinks":[],"Lecturers":[{"ID":"c05fefbd-c233-45ff-93c1-9c1fbc5ef093","User":{"UserID":null,"Name":"Ng Kok Hoe","Email":null,"Title":null,"UserGuid":"88b8df5f-759a-47b0-a9ed-54cf2fb9df3e","AccountType":null},"Role":"Lecturer ","Order":1,"ConsultHrs":null}],"Descriptions":[{"ID":"1e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Learning Outcomes","Description":"Case studies are widely used in public policy analysis. But what assumptions do we rely on when we draw general lessons from specific policy events? What is the point of comparison and how can we do it fairly? This course examines what the systematic, close study of carefully chosen cases can teach us about political and policy processes. It will enable students to identify the major elements of comparative case studies as a research method, to consume published case studies in a critical manner, and to conduct an independent case study focused on public policy change.","Order":1},{"ID":"6e5f053b-8835-4692-be49-41f07234cfff","Title":"Syllabus","Description":"PP5151: Comparative case studies
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\r\nInstructor: Dr Ng Kok Hoe
\r\nSession: 2014/15 Semester 2
\r\nClasses: Wednesday 6.30–9.30pm, Room
\r\nOffice hours: By appointment, Li Ka Shing Building #02-16
\r\nEmail: ngkokhoe@nus.edu.sg
\r\n
\r\nCourse description
\r\n
\r\nCase studies are widely used in public policy analysis. But what assumptions do we rely on when we draw general lessons from specific policy events? What is the point of comparing cases and when is it valid to compare apples and oranges? This course examines what the systematic, close study of carefully chosen cases can teach us about political and policy processes. It considers the theoretical features and challenges of the comparative case study method, introduces the process and techniques of case study research, and provides opportunities to discuss and critique published case studies. Students will be able to apply these lessons to an individual case study project that they will complete over the course of the semester.
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\r\nLearning objectives
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\r\nThis course will enable students to:
\r\n Locate the case study method within the general repertoire of social science research and describe the conceptual challenges it presents
\r\n Explain the purpose, logic, and process of comparative case studies
\r\n Recognise common data collection and analysis strategies for case study research and relate them to research objectives and design
\r\n Produce a simple, original, comparative case study focusing on a policy issue
\r\n Assess the quality of published case studies using explicit theoretical and methodological standards
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\r\nTeaching
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\r\nEach week, class hours will be divided between:
\r\n An introductory lecture outlining the main ideas in the readings
\r\n A seminar led by a different student each week consisting of a presentation responding to the week’s seminar question using a pair of assigned sample case studies and concepts introduced in previous readings, followed by a class discussion
\r\n As every student will be working on an individual case study project throughout the course, time will be set aside each week for students to report on their progress and discuss any problems they encounter. This allows students to receive feedback on their work and for the class as a whole to appreciate some of the conceptual and practical challenges of implementing case study research.
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\r\nAssessment
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\r\nThere is no exam for this course. Assessment is based on:
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\r\n\t\t\t\tStudent-led seminar (10%) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tA response to the seminar question using the readings and sample case studies, roster to be organised in Week 1 | \r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\tShort essay (15%) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tA written response to any seminar question for topics 1–4, 1500 words maximum, due Monday 5pm, Week 6 | \r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\tProject proposal (15%) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tA proposal for the case study project, setting out the decisions and rationale in relation to the theoretical challenges raised in topics 1–4 and the methodological tasks covered by topics 5–7, 1500 words maximum, due Monday 5pm, Week 9 | \r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\tCase study project (40%) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tAn individual research paper on an approved topic making use of the comparative case study method, 4000 words maximum, due Monday 5pm, Week 13 | \r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\tCase study presentation (10%) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tA presentation of the case study project findings and methodological learning points, Week 13 | \r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\tClass participation (10%) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tAwarded for participation in class discussions that reflects preparation and engagement, and for giving feedback to presenters | \r\n\t\t
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