International Policymaking in Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

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/

How is foreign policy made? What factors determine which issues and problems get priority government attention? What determines success or failure in areas such as external interventions, conflict prevention and resolution, multilateral organisation building, bilateral initiatives and treaty negotiations? Who are the key actors involved in foreign and trade policymaking? What factors and information sources do they consider? How do new ideas, and new approaches to problem solving, gain traction with international policymakers? What strategies are most useful in building support in the multilateral organisations? How much influence do non-governmental organisations and other civil society actors have in international policymaking? What are the frames of reference that national and international policymakers bring to bear, the obstacles they confront, and the strategies and techniques of diplomatic persuasion they are most likely to find effective in moving issues forward? This subject is based around a series of case studies taught by the Subject Coordinator as well as a number of senior guest lecturers from the sector. In previous years, guest lecturers have included a former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs who has chaired international panels and commissions, senior diplomats, officials and advisers in the sector and an Ambassador to Australia. The subject has a very practical focus, and all lecturers speak from their own extensive and diverse experience. The subject focuses on Australian foreign policy and national interest; however, it is not necessary for students to have extensive prior knowledge of Australian foregin policy or politics to successfully complete the subject.

Case studies will include:

the development of Asia-Pacific economic and security architecture; the G20 Australia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council; Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI): bilateral relationship development and management; Australia’s bilateral relationship with Fiji; the international response to genocide and other mass atrocity crimes; and trade policy. The subject examines the roles and opportunities of various actors in the sector, such as advisers and MPs, diplomats and departmental officials, and the intelligence community.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Develop a closer understanding of the way in which real-world international policymakers think and act, and the elements that inform decision-making; 
• Develop a specific understanding of the practical dynamics of foreign and trade policymaking, foreign and trade policy implementation and international norm-building;
• Develop an understanding of the roles of different actors and agencies in Australian foreign policymaking; 
• Develop the skills needed to become effective practitioners in foreign policymaking, both nationally and internationally

• A 1,000 word paper in form of a ministerial or cabinet submission on an international policy issue, (25%) due mid- semester.
• A 1,000 word paper in form of a 3 member team-prepared NGO submission to government on an international policy issue, (20%) due towards the end of semester.
• A 3,000 word research paper, in form of a briefing to government for a UN conference on appropriate response to report and recommendations of a major high-level international commission, from an approved list, (55%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Subject reading pack, available on the LMS, drawing inter alia on international policy texts, think tank analyses and reviews, international commission reports, government documents and practitioner speeches.

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 in developing persuasive arguments on a given topic;
• communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately;
• write professionally in a variety of governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental policymaking contexts.