Students

LAWS305 – Advanced Policy Development and Advocacy

2017 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Andrew Burke
Lecturer/Convener
Alexandra Grey
Contact via alexandra.grey@mq.edu.au / iLearn
C3B 302
Mondays 1100-1200
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
POL207 and (LAWS250 or LAWS260)
Corequisites Corequisites
39cp at 100 level or above including (LAWS300 or POL306 or POL302 or POL305 or POL308 or POL392 or LAW491 or LAWS541)
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this unit students will be mentored to create a major, independent, policy initiative in an area of contemporary political interest. Students will consolidate their prior learning of critical policy theory and processes in the context of theoretical and applied approaches to advocacy and representation in policy. This theoretical instruction will provide students an understanding by which to pursue an area of their personal interest and develop a substantial research project in the form of an original policy proposal, including strategies for advocacy and representation of stakeholders' interests.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • 1. Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

General Assessment Information

While there is no Class Participation mark, you are expected to attend the twelve weekly seminars. The course is designed around work-shopping your research projects collaboratively, and so you are likely to struggle to meet the assessment expectations if you do not regularly attend classes.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Plan 10% No 3/04/2017
Presentation (in class) 15% No 1/05/2017 or 8/05/2017
Campaign Strategy 25% No Monday 22/05/2017
Final report & recommendations 50% No Monday 29/05/2017

Research Plan

Due: 3/04/2017
Weighting: 10%

Research Plan Due: 9. 00 AM, Monday 27 March (Week 5)

Students will prepare a research plan for their major research report, indicating the structure and key sources to be used in their report. The word limit does not include footnotes.  

Please see the full assessment task on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Presentation (in class)

Due: 1/05/2017 or 8/05/2017
Weighting: 15%

In-class Presentation - "The Pitch"

Students will be scheduled to present individually either on Monday 1 May (week 8) or Monday 8 May (week 9): 10 minutes allocated each, between 9 and 11am.

First, students will present a 5 minute presentation lobbying for their proposed policy recommendations, in an imagined scenario where they have a opportunity to address either a relevant politician or a relevant community meeting. This "pitch" must make clear why the recommendations have merit and are important, and what action the student want from their interlocutor(s). 

 

In the remaining 5 minutes, the student will lead a short Q&A to discuss their pitch, with classmates and the teacher asking questions as if they too were attending this meeting with the politician /community meeting.

 

Please see the full assessment task on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Campaign Strategy

Due: Monday 22/05/2017
Weighting: 25%

Campaign Strategy document 

Due 9AM Monday 22 May (week 11) (online submission, for both internal and external students).

The same day during class (9-11 am ), the internal students must submit a hard copy.  External students must post a hard copy to The Laws305 Convener, Law School, Building W3A room 533, Macquarie University, NSW 2109 (posted on 22 May at the latest).

Scenario: The student is to imagine she/he has employed a team of 3 people to execute a public policy campaign. Explain to them “your strategy” for campaigning for the changes that your own research is leading you to recommend in your upcoming major report (that report is your final assessment).

Task: In 10 A4 pages (maximum) present a campaign strategy explaining how you would campaign to promote the recommendations for change you are making in your major research report. It should include the following three parts. You may use words, tables, images, diagrams or any other format to explain your strategy.

  • Part 1: Introduce your recommendations.
  •  Part 2: Explain who your strategy will target, why and with what information.
  •  Part 3: Briefly evaluate the budget and priorities.

This strategy document should clearly and explicitly represent the concepts and tools related to campaigning that you have learnt in Laws305.

Please see the full assessment task on iLearn for further details on what to include in each Part and on the expected Style and Tone of this assessment.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Final report & recommendations

Due: Monday 29/05/2017
Weighting: 50%

Research report

Due: Close of Business (5pm), Monday 29 May (week 12)

2500 (minimum) to 3000 words maximum (excluding footnotes and bibliography), with no leeway (the Law School policy is not to read/mark words over the limit).

In consultation with the convener through the weekly seminars, and based on the examples of the Grattan Institute Reports (http://grattan.edu.au/publications/reports/), devise a major research report, including recommendations for reform, in an area of public policy of your choice.

At a minimum, the report must include a Title, an Executive Summary; and Introduction; a main body of text, and a section of enumerated recommendations.

The intended audience is the general public as well as whomever you have designed your campaign to target (i.e. whomever it is you want to make policy changes/implement the recommendations).

Choose an area of public policy relevant to any level of policy-making in Australia. If you want to focus on an international public policy issue, please only proceed after gaining approval from the convener.

Please see the full assessment task on iLearn for referencing requirements and check the iLearn posts for explanations about the report assessment during the semester. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Delivery and Resources

There is no required textbook. Weekly readings will be available through the Library's Unit Readings page, and via the Laws305 iLearn site.

External students will be taught via a weekly Skype session.

The student workload, in accordance with university guidelines, is 3 hours per credit point per week (over a 15 week term), and can be estimated as follows: 24 hours - attendance at seminars; 36 hours - readings and self-study; 75 hours - assessment tasks.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 commences 27 February 2017 (and we have class that day at 9am!).

The weeks beginning 18 and 24 April 2017 are vacation time (no classes). 

Week 12 is our twelfth and final class (Monday 29 June 2017).

See the semester's key dates here: http://www.mq.edu.au/study/other-study-options/professional-development-and-general-interest/non-award-study/important-dates

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 3. Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development.
  • 5. Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • 4. Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • 6. Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • 2. Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation (in class)
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Final report & recommendations

Changes since First Published

Date Description
17/02/2017 This is now in line with the published internal/day student unit guide for this subject. The assessments due dates are updated to fit the 2017 schedule: Task 1 on 3 April; Task 2 on 1 May or 8 May (as allocated); Task 3 on 22 May; Task 4 on 29 May.