Applied Syndicate Project

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Total of 240 hours

Admission to the Master of Public Administration program and successful completion of the following subjects: The World of Public Administration; The Nature of Governing, The Rule of Law, Managing Public Finances; Managing Effectively; Working Ethically; Using Evidence; and Administrative Challenges in Practice

Previous study in public policy, political science, management, law, business, economics, international relations, non-profit management or cognate area.

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/

The Applied Syndicate Project is a capstone option in the Melbourne Master of Public Administration. The Melbourne MPA is an interdisciplinary, globally-focused program for managers that work within or with government. This subject enables participants to draw on the expertise developed throughout the MPA and apply it in real time to a contemporary project. The project is team-based to mirror the practical experience of managers and will be developed and overseen by both a professional and academic mentor. The syndicate group will work in consultation with their practice and academic mentors to develop a project brief, undertake analysis, and prepare a professional report to the sponsoring organisation. The syndicate will present their report at the Capstone Presentation Day.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Understand the nature of applied research and it’s power in addressing practical problems;
• Appreciate the complexities of bringing together theory and practice to develop managerial strategies;
• Apply their professional skills (working ethically; managing effectively; using evidence) in a team-based environment.

Assessment Task 1: Syndicate group paper of 8,000 words where the team produces an applied research/professional report (70%) due in week 11 of semester;

Assessment Task 2: Syndicate group presentation at the Capstone Presentation Day (20%) scheduled in week 11;

Assessment Task 3: Reflective practice paper of 1500 words where participants reflect on the team process and individual lessons from the project Individual paper (10%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are expected to attend all seminars and the presentation day in order to successfully pass this subject.

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.

All readings will be provided on the LMS

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students will have developed:

• A high-level ability to combine professional skills with discipline-based expertise in political science, law and economics, and to apply this complex synthesis to professional practice in order to complete a contemporary, relevant, team-based project;
• A highly-developed capacity to adapt to new situations and reflect upon professional practice in order to most effectively address the challenges that arise in the course of a managerial project;
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills that contribute to a significant managerial project, including report-writing, workplace discussions, negotiation and management and lobbying strategies;
• The ability to draw upon an extensive repertoire of advanced professional skills including skills in leadership, negotiation, decision analysis and strategic management, and to apply them to a significant, team-based managerial project;
• To plan and execute a group-project-based capstone experience, demonstrating an ability to solve problems and respond to developments that arise in a professional context with creativity, integrity and cultural sensitivity.