Policy Design and Implementation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

Semester 1 offering - standard

September offering - Intensive

240 hours

Entry into the Master of Public Policy and Management

200 point Program: PPMN90034 Ideas in Politics

None

Public Policy at Undergraduate level

166-536 Advanced Policy Design

PPMN90007 Advanced Policy Design

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This is one of the capstone subjects in the Master of Public Policy and Management and will provide students with the key theoretical and analytical perspectives and debates in public policy. This subject provides an overview of key elements of policy design and implementation using an integrated design perspective. Students will be introduced to key competing theoretical models explaining policy design and implementation processes and will critically analyse the assumptions underpinning each model. We will explore how policy problems are identified, framed and contested; examine the influence of local and global actors and institutions; and discuss the role that ideas, evidence, norms and expectations play in the design process. As well as exposing students to key theoretical models, case study analysis and practice-based assessment tasks will be used to develop student’s hands-on skills in policy analysis and design. Students will also have the opportunity to learn directly from a range of elite-level policy practitioners through a series of guest lectures and workshops focusing on policy design and implementation.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have developed high level skills in policy analysis;
• have developed capacities to analyze the context in which policies are developed and implemented;
• have developed a research capacity suitable for high level policy analysis;
• have developed the capacity to review and critique the various sources of data used in policy analysis;
• have developed a high level understanding of the principles of governance and administration as they apply to public policy.

Semester 1:

1. 2,500 word desk review brief (25%) due in Week 3;

2. 1,500 word policy review brief (15%) due in Week 8;

3. 6,000 word policy design strategy paper (60%) due in the examination period

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

September:

1. 2,500 word desk review brief (25%) due 20 September;

2. 1,500 word policy review brief (15%) due 11 October;

3. 6,000 word policy design strategy paper (60%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory on all 6 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. 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 made available electronically via LMS prior to the commencement of the subject's teaching period.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
• be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of policy analysis skills to empirical problems;
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.

This is a compulsory subject in the Master of Public Policy and Management and the Master of Policy Studies (ASST).