M-Phil in Public Policy2022-07-25T14:08:45+00:00

M-Phil in Public Policy

Objectives

Launched in 2014, the two year MPhil in Public Policy at the CPPG aims to contribute to the education of a new generation of public policy-makers and policy analysts, familiarizing them with the necessary concepts, theories, methods and principles involved in the formulation and analysis of public policy. The program aims to equip students with the theoretical tools and empirical evidence necessary for an in-depth understanding of policy-making in emerging democracies; including the changing nature of governance, practices and ethical questions surrounding the role of the state. The thrust of the program is to bridge the gaps between research and policy making.
The program takes an Interdisciplinary approach to contextualize and analyze issues relating to South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular. It draws upon faculty expertise to enable students to explore one of the most complex and fascinating regions of the world compelling them to address crucial political, economic and social issues confronting us in the twenty-first century. These include, for example, questions of the appropriate design of institutions, the management of contractual relationships, and the design of regulatory mechanisms and economic and sociological approaches to policy evaluation. Appropriate Information Technology and Management (ITM) skills are integrated into the program to bring about attitudinal change and develop professional expertise in promoting methods for efficient, judicious and transparent policy execution through E-Governance.

Who It’s For

Our MPhil program takes cognizance of the fact that many policy problems cut across disciplines and national boundaries. Thus policy analysis and formulation requires broad comparative perspectives to improve conceptualization, and an exchange of information and techniques for viability and sustainability. Consequently, the program aims to develop leadership qualities, managerial skills and analytical acumen among students. It is designed to promote deep understanding of the processes that formulate public policy and its consequences, both untended and unintended. The purpose is to equip students with qualitative as well as quantitative research methods, inculcating a spirit of endurance to conduct good quality research.
If you aspire for a career in public service, journalism, international development, think tanks, social entrepreneurship or academia, the CPPG academic experience, and the skills and knowledge to conduct credible policy relevant research and analysis will put you on a fast track.

Class Profile

14

Average Class Size

61%

Women

Social Science Undergraduate

From Outside Lahore

Why Do It

CPPG provides an overall post graduate academic experience unmatched by other policy school in the country. Besides receiving rigorous academic training, students are exposed to the practical side of policy making through seminar series and policy dialogues at the CPPG where they get to interact with eminent national and international scholars, policy makers who hail from different political parties and government departments, and business and community leaders. Students also get the opportunity to hone their leadership skills by joining the editorial board of The Student’s Quarterly Research & News magazine, and by organizing various activities at the Centre. Through an MPhil you gain the following: 

  • Acquire knowledge base of policy making in emerging democracies like Pakistan 
  • Develop leadership qualities, managerial skills and analytical acumen
  • Improve general analytical, technological, writing and presentation skills
  • Conduct policy analysis and research independently
“The MPhil program was an opportunity where I learned to transition my raw ideas into meaningful academic output. It is a place where you learn about the ‘human face’ of public policy, beyond statistical figures. This approach has allowed my work to reflect the under-researched socio-political aspects of public policy debates”.
Kainat Shakil , Nonresident Research Associate at European Center for Populism Studies
“The Centre for Public Policy and Governance at FCCU has broadened my vision by developing my analytical and critical thinking skills. I couldn’t see any other place in Pakistan better than CPPG to sharpen your analytical and critical thinking skills required to succeed in your formative years”.
Naseer John, Adjunct faculty of Religion and Public Policy at the school of Religion and Philosophy in Minhaj University, Lahore. Also adjunct faculty at the History and Pakistan Studies Department in the Forman Christian College University, Lahore.

MPhil is a two year academic degree program comprising of two full semesters of course work, followed by one year of research thesis. 

The course curriculum comprises of four types of courses. Participants take four Required courses for grounding in concepts and skills that are essential for policy scholars. Further, a student may take four courses from a selected concentration: Governance, Democracy, and Institution Building (GDIB), Environment, Demography, and Urban Change (EDUC) and Peace Building and Conflict Resolution (PBCR), dependent on class size and concentrations being offered in a particular year. Further, a supervised Research Thesis under active faculty guidance provides the opportunity to conduct in depth research on a particular policy problem so as to inform and contribute towards a better understanding.

Required

Required Courses comprise of essentials of Public Policy for young scholars. This includes: an introduction to public policy to familiarize participants with general approaches to ask questions in the policy world and answer them by using appropriate research methods; instill the required knowledge and skills of economics, human development, institutionalization and policy’s interaction with technology for conducting effective policy analysis. 

Governance, Democracy, and Institution Building (GDIB)

Improving governance, constructing representative, transparent and accountable government, enhancing civil society and reviving and revitalizing institutions remain critical public policy issues in Pakistan, like many developing countries. This concentration will explore various topics: from civil services reform to local bodies; autonomy and independence of judiciary to interface between bureaucracy and political parties in a democratic setup; issues pertaining to productive functioning of provincial and national assemblies to training of legislators; skill development of bureaucrats, and the role of Election Commission of Pakistan. The class discussion would involve both theoretical aspects as well as an understanding of ground realities. 

Environment, Demography, and Urban Change (EDUC)

Environmental decay, rising population and accelerated urbanization is visible in Pakistan. Demographic change is phenomenal. The country has a population of 170 million and growing at a rate of 2% per annum. Forecasts of demographic transition in Pakistan raise concerns about citizen security, environmental decay, challenges of urban governance, energy self-sufficiency, water conservation, employment generation, peace, security, governance and the list is unending. Population is a human resource that demands investment in improving its quality, productivity and skills.

The concentration will explore the nexus between environment, urban change and demographic transition, specifically exploring questions in population strategy that helps in managing demographic transition and is not simply a Family planning/Reproductive health issue but a core national issue, which has implications for the very survival and efficient functioning of the Pakistani nation-state.

Peace Building and Conflict Resolution (PBCR)

Pakistan has been mired in various conflicts both internal and with its neighbors since independence. The Kashmir imbroglio with India, the continuing war in Afghanistan, the insurgency in Baluchistan, the multifaceted violence in the large metropolis of Karachi, the religious sectarian violence, and ‘honor’ killings against women are but a representation of various types of violence in Pakistan. The PBCR concentration is meant to analyze these conflicts at a programmatic level to develop the necessary mediatory space, to produce skilled mediators, negotiators and facilitators as a go between the various parties or to create the necessary alternative discourse and effective institutions to counter the violence. 

  • Completion of two semesters of course work
  • Completion of research thesis
  • Passing the Viva Voce examination

Centre for Language Development (CLD) at FC College offers personalized sessions to improve writing and analytical skills in English language. A participant may take their assignment along with feedback to the CLD to work with a language instructor to improve their grammar, sentence structure and overall writing style.

Students may take the following courses offered by the Department of Political Science, FC College in lieu of courses offered by the CPPG: 

PLSC 507: Constitutional and Political Processes in Pakistan

PLSC 508: Foreign Policy and Analysis

PLSC 517: Politico-Strategic Dynamics of South Asia

PLSC 519: Local Government System in Pakistan

PLSC 523: Research Techniques in Political Science

  • Baccalaureate or 16 years of education from any HEC recognized university
  • Have a degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences
  • Submit a Research Proposal (1000 words)
  • Clearance of Entrance Exam
  • Short listed candidates to be interviewed by the CPPG Selection Committee

Sample Program

Year 1 (Fall)
CPPG 615 Public Policy: Theories and Analysis
CPPG 617 Economics and Public Policy
CPPG 656 Informal Economy and Urban Development
CPPG 663 Minorities and Public Policy
Year 1 (Spring)
CPPG 616 Research Methodology
CPPG 619 Human Development
CPPG 629 Political Leadership and Policy Making in Pakistan
CPPG 660 Globalization and Transformation of Religion in South Asia
Year 2
698 Research Thesis

FAQ

What are the job prospects after completion of the degree?2022-01-04T11:50:02+00:00

One can pursue a PhD; teaching jobs at a university or college; research and analysis jobs in Think Tanks,  media houses or NGOs; or become a social entrepreneur. 

What is the total involvement of days/week?2022-01-04T11:49:26+00:00

Four days a week while participation is mandatory in the Seminars organized fortnightly

What are the class timings?2022-01-04T11:47:51+00:00

Class timings are generally from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm (one hour lunch break from 1 to 2 pm)

What is the total duration of the program?2022-01-04T11:47:16+00:00

Total Duration is two years: one year of course work & one year of research thesis

Concentrations & Course Descriptions

Required

This course covers the formulation of public policies; its stages; theory and practice of policy analysis, issues surrounding the delivery, implementation and evaluation of public policies; and current debates and perspectives in public policy.

Examines the economic aspects of government intervention in the economy; explores market failure, property rights, mixed goods; the nature of government as a producer and the political system as a mechanism for revealing consumer preferences; studies the economic literature on topics such as taxation, and the evaluation of public spending.

The course will analyze strategic leadership and governance to achieve efficient and eeffective outputs; will help to develop a critical understanding of the theory and practice of strategic leadership, governance and conflict management.

Looks at human development beyond the life-span development approach; the human behavior acquired, maintained and modied in a social environment and with economic, socio-cultural and political constructs; Development Theory, theories of Social, Human and Institutional Capital; methodologies and strategies for human development within the context of state policy.

The course will help participants refine their thesis topic, develop their research design and complete a working outline for their project report. Emphasis will be placed on completing the literature review and methodology sections of the thesis. Students will be required to write a research report on the selected topics at the end of the semester.

Explores the theoretical relationship of science, technology and society; policies regarding science and technology and Information and Communication Technologies to assess contemporary issues of governance and development will be studied.

Offers theory and practice on global institutions and policy issues; institutional causes and consequences of public policies; formulation of alternative and workable solutions to build sustainable institutions.

Governance, Democracy, and Institution Building (GDIB)

Improving governance, constructing representative, transparent and accountable government, enhancing civil society and reviving and revitalizing institutions remain critical public policy issues in Pakistan, like many developing countries. This concentration will explore various topics: from civil services reform to local bodies; autonomy and independence of judiciary to interface between bureaucracy and political parties in a democratic setup; issues pertaining to productive functioning of provincial and national assemblies to training of legislators; skill development of bureaucrats, and the role of Election Commission of Pakistan. The class discussion would involve both theoretical aspects as well as an understanding of ground realities.

The seminar-based course that explores skills needed for leadership and policy-making at the senior management level. Instruction will be done through readings, discussions, case studies, simulations, and self-assessment exercises.

Focuses on the application of the tools of policy analysis to inform and educate the public and to induce social change; the examination of why policies succeed or fail. Participants will be given exercises in writing and speaking, conducting meetings, making presentations and working with the media.

Looks at the role of government and the ways in which its policies affect the economy; will study efficiency and equity; the public sector and its decision-making; review of the sources of market failure: public goods, club goods, imperfect competition, externalities and information; and taxation.

Provides an understanding of the intellectual and practical problems those arise from the economic interaction between countries; existing patterns of international trade and assessment of the potential for answers; the global financial crisis, its causes and timing and consequent concerns for policy makers globally.

Studies how different political regimes and political leadership have affected policy making in Pakistan. It will study Pakistan’s political history with a focus on policy priorities for specific political regimes.

Studies the theory and practice of federalism; power sharing and autonomy; the 18th Amendment and its implications for governance in Pakistan; the issues of federation-province relations; the degree of differentiation and autonomy at all levels of the government.

Explores the theoretical and institutional framework for citizens’ participation in governance; skills needed to devise a community inclusive in the decision-making process; understanding of citizenship, the civil society, the commons and participatory democracy; will explore case studies on organizing communities for efficient decision-making and provision of social services and budgeting.

Provides students with insight into the structure of key institutions in a functioning democracy; their consequent role in democratic consolidation; and the development of Pakistan’s key institution.

Applies a political economy framework to analyze processes of public policy formulation and reform; use of Game Theory to formulate interactive decision-making among the participants; policy reforms such as democratic economies, autocratic economies, transition economies; reforms in health, environment and transportation, trade and agriculture sectors will be studied.

Applies a political economy framework to analyze processes of public policy formulation and reform; use of Game Theory to formulate interactive decision-making among the participants; policy reforms such as democratic economies, autocratic economies, transition economies; reforms in health, environment and transportation, trade and agriculture sectors will be studied.

Explores how public and nonprofit organizations/sectors interact with their external environment; their sources of revenue generation; development of their brand name/identity; application of private sector marketing techniques, methodologies and strategic plans.

Environment, Demography, and Urban Change (EDUC)

Environmental decay, rising population and accelerated urbanization is visible in Pakistan. Demographic change is phenomenal. The country has a population of 170 million and growing at a rate of 2% per annum. Forecasts of demographic transition in Pakistan raise concerns about citizen security, environmental decay, challenges of urban governance, energy self-sufficiency, water conservation, employment generation, peace, security, governance and the list is unending. Population is a human resource that demands investment in improving its quality, productivity and skills.

The concentration will explore the nexus between environment, urban change and demographic transition, specifically exploring questions in population strategy that helps in managing demographic transition and is not simply a Family planning/Reproductive health issue but a core national issue, which has implications for the very survival and efficient functioning of the Pakistani nation-state.

Critiques traditional governance paradigms; will discover better governance solutions to the climate change problem; the role of traditional governance in compounding the problem of exploitation of natural resources.

Explores the forces behind urban change; the factors which changes cities; the effects of this change on consumerism, democracy, economic growth and human wellbeing as well as on new social movements, fashions and fads, political struggle and identity politics; and the effect of these factors on the nation’s stability.

Analyzes water policies of Asian countries; developing critical insights to make and remake water policies; the effect of developmental activities on reservoir pollution; water management; policies and governance responses to the water crisis.

Examines linkages between migration, human Trafficking and violence in South Asian States; the impact of internal and international migration on human Trafficking and violence; its causes; and the response of Different countries.

Studies the link between urban governance and security and the evolving nature of these challenges; the role of policing and civilian law enforcement in the South Asian context, and in Pakistan in particular; the increased rural-urban migration and the resulting urban violence.

Explores the nature and causes of existing environmental issues, with a particular focus on their impact for the developing world; existing environmental policies – both global and local – and the drivers behind policy development.

Studies contemporary debates in urban policy and planning at the local and international level, with a specific focus on South Asia; the evolution of public spaces; service delivery; and the capacity of the government to meet the needs of rapidly expanding urban centers.

Studies the drivers behind migration to urban centers; how urban centers can be planned to successfully accommodate their ever-growing populations.

Studies the linkages between demographic changes in states and societies and how that helps in promoting security and in reducing conflict; a comparative analysis of countries where demographic transition has either led to reducing or intensifying conflict; and the lessons learnt from successful public policies.

Explores theories, policies and laws regarding gender; the changing dynamics of gender relations with regards to education, marriage, family and fertility; how culture and religion reinforce gender identities; reproductive health, migration and trafficking of women and children.

Explores the state’s lack of policy regulation or its implementation and how that leads to an existing policy framework which facilitates or creates hurdles for the informal economy; and its impact on urban development issues.

Introduces concepts, practices and challenges of social entrepreneurship; analytical frameworks, approaches and tools to achieve social and financial goals and to become effective social entrepreneurs.

Peace Building and Conflict Resolution (PBCR)

Pakistan has been mired in various conflicts both internal and with its neighbors since independence. The Kashmir imbroglio with India, the continuing war in Afghanistan, the insurgency in Baluchistan, the multifaceted violence in the large metropolis of Karachi, the religious sectarian violence, and ‘honor’ killings against women are but a representation of various types of violence in Pakistan. The PBCR concentration is meant to analyze these conflicts at a programmatic level to develop the necessary mediatory space, to produce skilled mediators, negotiators and facilitators as a go between the various parties or to create the necessary alternative discourse and effective institutions to counter the violence. 

Explores conflict management and peacekeeping; methodologies, strategies and processes of conflict management and resolution based on the formulation of conflict due to difference in perspectives, human relationships, and communication problems.

Analyzes the context, actors and dynamics of underlying conflict; the necessary peace-building strategies; tools and methodologies used for conflict analysis; issues such as stakeholder participation, ethics, gender and choice of qualitative versus quantitative research methodologies.

Builds upon the theoretical frameworks learnt in conflict management by applying conflict resolution strategies through practical exercises based on scenarios and role playing. Participants will explore the stages of negotiations and mediations, and apply techniques through a practicum involving case studies and simulation exercises.

Studies the consequences of diversity for nation building, policy-making and administrative governance; legal framework of the state, minority representation in political parties, administrative institutions and civil society advocacy groups’ highlighting of minority rights; policy responses to the existing challenges; the relationship of an Islamic State with minorities and human rights and insecurity among minorities.

Analyzes the contradictory processes that globalization unleashes such as conflict, giving new sensibility to ethnicity, extremism, nationalism, cultural wars; the impact of globalization on politics; usage of religion in South Asia; and the effect of globalization on the styles and modes of governance.

Explores conflict; tools and perspectives in diplomacy and international relations including multilateral and bilateral processes, Track I and II diplomacy; role of international institutions in conflict resolution and peace building; the history and politics of UN bodies; linkages between diplomatic history, institutional structure and international politics.

Explores the history of terrorism, the goals and structure of terrorist groups, their means of resource acquisition; their use of ideologies for recruitment and creating support; the role of states, its use of non-state actors for various policy objectives and political opposition; counter-terrorism methods.

Investigates perspectives and frameworks of radicalization; identify factors fueling extremism; discuss, formulate and analyze de-radicalization methodologies and strategies within the framework of socio-cultural, legal and the political economy of policy reforms in Pakistan.

Looks at the theory and practice of disaster management by exploring its phases; politics of disaster management, leadership, and the role of agency coordination; tools for vulnerability mapping, early warning, infrastructure protection, emergency management and assessment of reconstruction and healthcare.

Explores the relationship between media and violent extremism on the basis of discourse presented in the media; role of media; discourse of terrorist organizations and their use of media; comparison of mainstream media and terrorist narratives; reasons for their convergence or divergences.

Discusses the theory and practice of peace building; security dynamics of Pakistan and South Asia; Pakistan’s current security concerns and issues; peace building exercises from different parts of the world; polices and interventions that can be applied to Pakistan’s security environment.

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