Students
POL 207 – Governance, Power and Public Policy
2018 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Glenn Kefford
Sandey Fitzgerald
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above or (3cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
POIX207
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to contemporary debates about how public policy problems are addressed. It does this by tracing the change from government to governance and considers the range of policy instruments now regularly used to respond to policy problems. This includes, for example, the use of market based solutions. Students are also introduced to key actors and institutions, as well as to the range of theories for analysing public policy.
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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:
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
General Assessment Information
Late Submission Penalty
“Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.”
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online participation | 15% | No | weekly |
| Essay | 45% | No | TBA |
| Take Home Exams | 40% | No | TBA |
Online participation
Due: weekly
Weighting: 15%
To get the most benefit from tutorials, external students should be prepared to discuss the week’s topic and associated set questions with reference to the essential tutorial readings. These readings can and preferably should be related to current or recent events in the media going on in Australia (or beyond). In other words, you can use real-life examples to show where a theory or concept may or may not apply and so on. One example of this is debates about power generation, electricity prices and climate change which has received significant attention in Australia recently due to extreme weather events and black-outs in some parts of the country.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
Essay
Due: TBA
Weighting: 45%
The essay, approximately 2500 words in length, provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of interest in depth. Students should develop a considered answer to a specific question based on reading a range of sources wider than simply the key readings (Students must read and refer to a minimum of 15 substantive sources).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
Take Home Exams
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%
These two short exams worth 20% each will include short answer and/or essay questions and students will have one week to respond to the questions. Answers are to be submitted via turnitin. Questions will be posted at the end of week 5 and week 12.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
Delivery and Resources
1x2-hour lecture weekly - Monday 2-4pm
Online participation on ilearn
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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:
Assessment task
- Essay
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
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
Assessment tasks
- Online participation
- Essay
- Take Home Exams
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
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
Assessment tasks
- Online participation
- Essay
- Take Home Exams
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
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
Assessment tasks
- Online participation
- Essay
- Take Home Exams
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
- Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
- Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in the policy process, using the Australian example as the basis for comparison with other policy environments
- Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
- Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the proper role of government, the shift from government to governance, the impact of globalisation, and the role of public and interest group participation in the policy process
- Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
- Analyse the policy-making process using several different models, or theories, and critically evaluate these by applying them to real-world case studies, and demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses
Assessment tasks
- Online participation
- Take Home Exams