Public Policy Making

Subject 166-022 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Thirty contact hours per semester. Two 1-hour lectures per week for 10 weeks and a 1-hour tutorial per week for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week , 5.5 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Recommended: Level 1 Australian Politics
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Mr Thomas William D'Arc Davis

Contact

Dr. Tom Davis
tdavis@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: Who makes the public decisions that impact on all aspects of society? How do they make them? Is our society better off for the policies that result? These are the sorts of questions public policy analysts (government policy advisers, NGOs, and academics) must struggle with daily. In Public Policy Making students are introduced to the various attempts to resolve these issues. They examine how public policy has been conceptualised by the academics, and are then taken through the 'practical' processes of policy making in the real world of government and non-government actors. By the end of the subject they will have an improved, critical understanding of what public policy is and how it comes about. For some students this will be the beginning of a long engagement with public policy in both study and work; all students will have expanded their understanding of the political and social world in which they live.
Objectives:
  • have a thorough grasp of the political economy of policy making;
  • understand the formation and role of policy institutions;
  • have skills in policy research;
  • have the ability to undertake case studies.
Assessment: A Research Essay of 3,000 words 75% (due in early October), and a 1000 word Take-home Exam 25% (during the Examination period).
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
  • be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
  • be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
  • be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;
  • be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.
Notes:

Formerly available as 166-022 and 672-372. Students who have completed 166-022 or 672-372 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Available as a Breadth subject
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Bachelor of Public Policy and Management
Diploma in Arts (Australian Studies)
Diploma in Arts (Development Studies)
Diploma in Arts (Environmental Studies)
Diploma in Arts (Political Science)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Studies Major
Development Studies Major
Environmental Studies Major
Political Science Major
Politics & International Studies
Politics and International Studies
Politics and International Studies
Socio-legal Studies Major

Download PDF version.