Governing Challenges 2

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Total of 120 hours

Entry into a masters level course in the Melbourne School of Government or its partner faculties

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 subject examines contemporary issues in governing, the challenges this creates for policy actors, and how they are addressed. It draws on the expertise of prominent academic and practitioner visitors to the Melbourne School of Government and reflects the core research areas of the Melbourne School of Government. Students will have the opportunity to explore these issues through various topics areas under these themes: Governance and Performance; Knowledge and Expertise in Public Policy; Risk, Security and Representation; and Governing Markets.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Understand contemporary challenges in governing in both theory and practice;
• Appreciate the connections between various academic disciplines and how this informs theory and practice in governing;
• Understand the critical role of policy actors across the corporate, non-government, and government sectors;
• Explore the local, national, regional, and global factors that impact on these policy actors and their environment.

A research paper of 2500 words (50%) due early-September, and a policy brief of 2500 words (50%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days. Regular participation in class 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.

All readings will be provided on the subject LMS

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 analysis skills to empirical problems;
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.