Students
POIX8000 – Policy Design: Concepts and Case Studies
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Annika Kaabel
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 8000 level and admission to MPSP (OUA)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit requires students to draw on theoretical and discipline knowledge and use these to engage actively in a current and topical policy problem. The students will have opportunities to consult experts in a given policy area and identify relevant evidence, expert opinion and stakeholder views. Students will explore a range of problem definitions and scenarios, and consider alternative policy solutions. Students will develop and present a comprehensive and constructive policy proposal which demonstrates an awareness of ethical, political, social, economic and cultural factors which are significant in the specific policy context. |
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:
- ULO1: Identify, critically analyse and synthesise evidence which is relevant to policy making from a wide range of cross-disciplinary sources.
- ULO2: Apply theoretical material related to public policy to a specific real-world policy problem.
- ULO3: Critically consider a range of factors affecting problem definition and the development of appropriate policy solutions.
- ULO4: Identify and respond to ethical, political, social, economic and cultural factors which are significant in a specific policy context.
- ULO5: Communicate policy recommendations effectively and appropriately to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
General Assessment Information
All assessments should be submitted via iLearn. Scoping paper and policy analysis should be submitted via turnitin and the blog posts in the appropriate blogs for each module.
Extensions
Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and will require documentary evidence such as a medical certificate to support the request for an extension. You should contact the convenor as early as possible if you think you may need an extension. While we do understand that most students are engaged in paid employment, extensions cannot be granted on this basis alone.
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.
A detailed assessment guide is available on iLearn.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blog posts on required readings | 35% | No | Sundays of week 3, 5, 7, 9 |
| Scoping paper | 25% | No | Sunday of week 8 |
| Policy analysis | 40% | No | Sunday of week 13 |
Blog posts on required readings
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Sundays of week 3, 5, 7, 9
Weighting: 35%
You will be required to post a short reflection of 750 words on set topics each fortnight. There will be a total of 4 of these blog posts over the semester. These will be posted on a blog inside iLearn so that other students can read and respond to your work. Your blog posts should be based on careful reflection and analysis of the unit readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply theoretical material related to public policy to a specific real-world policy problem.
- Identify and respond to ethical, political, social, economic and cultural factors which are significant in a specific policy context.
Scoping paper
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Sunday of week 8
Weighting: 25%
This short essay should be presented as a scoping document, outlining your understanding of the policy problem which we are working on throughout this unit. You will be expected to conduct independent research for this task.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, critically analyse and synthesise evidence which is relevant to policy making from a wide range of cross-disciplinary sources.
- Apply theoretical material related to public policy to a specific real-world policy problem.
- Critically consider a range of factors affecting problem definition and the development of appropriate policy solutions.
- Identify and respond to ethical, political, social, economic and cultural factors which are significant in a specific policy context.
Policy analysis
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 58 hours
Due: Sunday of week 13
Weighting: 40%
This final assessment task requires you to present your analysis of the policy problem and its context, and to explain your choice of policy recommendations to address the problem. This essay will build on previous assessment tasks.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, critically analyse and synthesise evidence which is relevant to policy making from a wide range of cross-disciplinary sources.
- Apply theoretical material related to public policy to a specific real-world policy problem.
- Critically consider a range of factors affecting problem definition and the development of appropriate policy solutions.
- Identify and respond to ethical, political, social, economic and cultural factors which are significant in a specific policy context.
- Communicate policy recommendations effectively and appropriately to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Important: This course is fully online. There are no weekly internal classes in this unit.
There will be bi-weekly tasks, mini-lectures and other activities, including assessments, and these are presented in detail on iLearn.
Resources:
This unit has an iLearn website which can be accessed via iLearn.mq.edu.au.
Information about required readings and how to access them is on the iLearn site.
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.)
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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.