Public Policy Making

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

This subject focuses on how government makes policy in Australia while also considering and evaluating the influence of other institutions and key actors in the policy process. Australia's contribution to developing innovative policy is assessed, as well as critically comparing Australia's policy responses to those of other countries. The roles of the individual, the state, the market, non-government organisations, communities and networks are contrasted and critiqued. While theories and models of public policy making underpin the subject, there is an emphasis on the practical application of ideas to solve policy problems in the real world. The subject is designed to provide a professional grounding for future policy analysts, policy advisers and policy practitioners as well as preparing students for undertaking internships.

Students who complete this subject should:

• be able to understand, explain and engage with the policy process and to follow and contribute to policy debates.
• have a solid understanding of the institutional structures and key actors in the Australian policy process.
• be able to understand and critically apply competing theories and models of the policy process to actual policy problems.
• be aware of the political economy of policy making.
• be able to argue a considered position in oral and written presentations.
• develop professional skills in policy research, analysis and advice.

Two x 750 word Take-home Exams (40%), one due in the first half of the semester and the other in the second half, and a Policy Research Paper of 2,500 words (60%) due in the examination period.

This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% Tutorial attendance. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment or sit the final examination. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Required readings will be available from the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

1.

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.

2.

• 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.