Students

LAWS305 – Advanced Policy Development and Advocacy

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Kate Gleeson
Contact via 98504091
W3A 615
See Ilearn for details
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:

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

General Assessment Information

Details of the assessment tasks, due dates and detailed marking rubrics are available on iLearn. All written assessments are to be submitted electronically via Turnitin. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit and the University's Academic Honestly Policy is strictly applied.

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
Research Plan 10% No 5pm 6 April
Campaign Strategy 25% No 5pm 25 May
In class presentation 15% No Weeks 11-12
Major policy proposal report 50% No 5pm 8 June.

Research Plan

Due: 5pm 6 April
Weighting: 10%

Students will prepare a research plan for their major research report, indicating structure and key sources to be used. 


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

Campaign Strategy

Due: 5pm 25 May
Weighting: 25%

Students will develop a  written and/or visual campaign strategy for the promotion of their policy proposal.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development
  • Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

In class presentation

Due: Weeks 11-12
Weighting: 15%

Students will present a 5 minute presentation lobbying their classmates on the merits of their policy proposal.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development
  • Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Major policy proposal report

Due: 5pm 8 June.
Weighting: 50%

Students will research a contemporary area of public policy and provide a written report outlining the current situation and recommendations for reform.


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

Delivery and Resources

Students are expected to attend a 2 hour seminar per week. There is no required textbook. Weekly readings are available through the unit's Library I Share page, and via the ilearn site. 

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 of seminars

48 hours - readings and self-study 

78 hours - assessment tasks

________

 150 hours total

 

Students will be required to use a computer to interact with online research databases and web-based research tools. All students need access to a secure and reliable server for access to iLearn and submission of assessment tasks.

Unit Schedule

Week

Week Starting  

Seminar  

Written

assessment

task due.

1

26/2

Introduction

 

2

5/3

Lobbies and democracy

 

3

12/3

Famous campaigns

 

4

19/3

Framing an issue for stakeholders

 

5

26/3

The role of digital media

 

6

2/4

Campaigning – the basics

Research plan

7

9/4

Planning a campaign

 

8

30/4

Reading week

 

 

9

7/5

Developing your campaign

 

10

14/5

In class presentation

 

11

21/5

In class presentation

Campaign strategy

12

28/5

Workshop:  research report

 

13

4/6

Workshop: research report

Research Report due

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:

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.

Assessment tasks

  • Campaign Strategy
  • In class presentation
  • Major policy proposal report

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

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

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Campaign Strategy
  • In class presentation
  • Major policy proposal report

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.

Assessment task

  • Major policy proposal report

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

  • Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development
  • Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Major policy proposal report

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

  • Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • Comprehensively identify and analyse various stakeholders in policy development
  • Carry out independent and in-depth interdisciplinary research into contemporary public policy and advocacy strategies.
  • Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Campaign Strategy
  • In class presentation
  • Major policy proposal report

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

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

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • Campaign Strategy
  • Major policy proposal report

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

  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.
  • Produce a comprehensive, professional and original policy proposal and accompanying advocacy strategies.
  • Communicate original, significant policy and advocacy proposals in written and verbal form.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Plan
  • In class presentation
  • Major policy proposal report

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

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

Assessment tasks

  • Campaign Strategy
  • Major policy proposal report

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 outcomes

  • Consolidate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary approaches to the study of policy development.
  • Critique contemporary theory and approaches to advocacy and representation in policy.

Assessment tasks

  • Campaign Strategy
  • In class presentation