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OAFP 9325 - The Symbolic Politics of Policy Making

OAFP 9325 · Semestre d'automne 2026-2027

Langue d'enseignement
English
Type d'enseignement
Cours séminaire
Nombre d'heures
24
Crédits
4

Informations

Descriptif

This course investigates how symbols are used in politics and in policymaking and why this is

important in our fragile polities. Symbols are everywhere in politics. Yet, they tend to be

overlooked. We show that they are shared within social groups, which boundaries they

define. We highlight their cognitive and embodied dimensions and learn how they play a key

role in meaning-making, shape collective representations and steer individuals to action. We

take examples from emergency and routine situations and analyse how policymakers use

them, for what purpose and under which constraints, to which effect. Through case studies

selected and developed by students, we consider different policy sectors, actors and stages

in the policy process and the publics that are targeted. The course is comparative, with a

focus on qualitative methods of analysis due to the nature of the object of study.

Pré-requis

Basic knowledge of concepts and methods in political science is required. Students should be able to understand academic papers written in English. Lectures and assessment will be in English. Students are expected to attend all sessions, having done the required reading, and be ready to discuss them.

Format pédagogique

The course combines lectures and seminar discussions on readings, individuals and group projects such as presentations, class discussions and peer-reviewing.

Mode de validation

 1 group presentation with a topic approved by the instructor (30%),

 1 paper analysing the symbolic dimension of a policy chosen by the student in agreement

with the instructor (30%),

 Student engagement during the semester (participation in class discussions during and

outside of class, contribution to peer evaluation exercises, ability to ask questions, and class

citizenship etc.) (20%),

 In-class short written tests and final exam 20%

Group presentations

Collective grade. 15 minutes maximum. Research based. Submit slides and bibliography.

I expect no less than 7 academic references (peer-reviewed journals, academic publishers,

working papers) in the political and social sciences.

Lectures

Lectures principales 5

  1. Boussaguet, Laurie, et Florence Faucher. 2020. « Beyond a “gesture”. The treatment of the symbolic in public policy analysis ». French Politics 18 (1‑2): 189‑205.

  2. Boussaguet, Laurie, et Florence Faucher. 2024. Symbolic Policy. Elements in Public Po;icy. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Lire en ligne

  3. Edelman, Murray. 1977. Political Language: Words That Succeed and Policies That Fail. New York : Academic Press.

    Emprunter

  4. Hart, Paul ’t. 1993. « Symbols, Rituals and Power: The Lost Dimensions of Crisis Management ». Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management 1 (1): 36‑50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5973.1993.tb00005.x.

  5. Saward, Michael. 2010. The Representative Claim. 1st edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Lire en ligne

Lectures secondaires 20

  1. Anderson, Benedict. 1991. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Verso Books.

    Lire en ligne

  2. Anderson, Christopher J. 2023. « Citizens and the State during Crisis: Public Authority, Private Behaviour and the Covid-19 Pandemic in France ». European Journal of Political Research 62 (2): 571‑93.

    Lire en ligne

  3. Benford, Robert D., et David A. Snow. 2000. « Framing Processes and Social Movements: An Overview and Assessment ». Annual Review of Sociology 26 (1): 611‑39.

    Lire en ligne

  4. Boin, Arjen, Paul ’t Hart, Paul C. Stern, et Bengt Sundelius. 2017. The Politics of Crisis Management: Public Leadership Under Pressure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  5. Chong, D., et J.N. Druckman. 2007. « A Theory of Framing and Opinion Formation in Competitive Elite Environ¬ments ». Journal of Communication, 57:99‑118.

    Lire en ligne

  6. Crow, D., & Jones, M. (2018). Narratives as tools for influencing policy change. Policy & Politics, 46(2), 217-234. from https://doi.org/10.1332/030557318X15230061022899

    Lire en ligne

  7. Douglas, Mary. 1986. How institutions think. Syracuse (N.Y.): Syracuse University Press.

    Emprunter

  8. Druckman, James N., et Lawrence R. Jacobs. 2015. Who Governs?: Presidents, Public Opinion, and Manipulation. University of Chicago Press.

    Emprunter

  9. Edelman, Murray. 1985. The symbolic uses of politics. Champaign, Ill.: University of Illinois Press.

    Emprunter

  10. Finlayson, Alan. 2021. « Performing Political Ideologies ». In The Oxford Handbook of Politics and Performance, 471‑83. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190863456.013.21.

    Lire en ligne

  11. Firat, Bilge. 2019. Diplomacy and lobbying during Turkey’s Europeanisation. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

  12. Fischer, Frank. 2003. Reframing Public Policy: Discursive Politics and Deliberative Practices. 1 edition. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.

    Lire en ligne

  13. Freistein, Katja, et Frank and Gadinger. 2022. « Performing leadership: international politics through the lens of visual narrative analysis ». Political Research Exchange 4 (1): 2124922.

    Emprunter

  14. Gaffney, John. 2014. « Performative Political Leadership ». In The Oxford Handbook of Political Leadership, édité par R. A. W. Rhodes et Paul ’t Hart, 389‑402. Oxford: OUP Oxford.

  15. Hulst, Merlijn van, Metze ,Tamara, Dewulf ,Art, de Vries ,Jasper, van Bommel ,Severine, et Mark and van Ostaijen. 2025. « Discourse, framing and narrative: three ways of doing critical, interpretive policy analysis ». Critical Policy Studies 19 (1): 74‑96. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2024.2326936.

  16. Jacobs, Lawrence R., et Suzanne Mettler. 2018. « When and How New Policy Creates New Politics: Examining the Feedback Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Public Opinion ». Perspectives On Politics 16 (2): pp345-363. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592717004182.

  17. Rauer, Valentin. 2006. « Symbols in Action: Willy Brandt’s kneefall at the Warsaw Memorial ». In Social Performance, édité par Jeffrey C. Alexander, 257‑82. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  18. Simko, Christina. 2012. « Rhetorics of Suffering: September 11 Commemorations as Theodicy ». American Sociological Review 77 (6): 880‑902. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122412458785.

    Lire en ligne

  19. Wodak, Ruth. 2009. The Discourse of Politics in Action. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230316539.

    Emprunter

  20. Yanow, Dvora. 1996. How Does a Policy Mean?: Interpreting Policy and Organizational Actions. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.

    Emprunter

Unités pédagogiques

N° d'UPType d'UP Unités pédagogiquesEnseignants Nombre d'heuresCrédits
18304Cours séminaire The Symbolic Politics of Policy Making Florence FAUCHER244

Enseignants

  • Florence FAUCHER