Business and Government

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

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 respective roles and interactions between business and government are crucial for the political economy of a country. Because of its productive function, business enjoys a privileged position with government, while a major part of government is concerned with the monitoring and managing of business. The structure and role of both have been changing rapidly in recent times, as have the conceptual tools for understanding them. This subject critically reviews contemporary writing and developments and uses case examples to familiarise students with theoretical, normative and practical issues for both sides of this important relationship. On completion of the subject, students should have an understanding of the character and inter-relationship of business and government in contemporary society including: changing private and public sector boundaries, the re-configuration of the mixed economy, the neo-liberal paradigm and its critics, the impact on business of the socio-political environment, the role of interest groups in public policy, changing expectations of corporate governance, the role of business advocacy, government regulation of business, alternatives of self regulation and co-regulation, the effects of globalisation, and the growth of the transnational corporations.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have an advanced understanding of the character of inter-relationship of business and government in contemporary society;
• have developed skills in research and analysis in select topics in the field;
• facility for applied research in contemporary issues in the field;
• have detailed knowledge of the way business interacts with government and government manages business relations.

A review essay of 750 words (15%) due early in semester, a research paper of 3000 words (60%) due in the examination period, and a group project equivalent to 1250 words (25%) 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 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.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry.