Students
POIR3060 – Policy Making in a Global Era
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
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
Convenor and Lecturer
Conor Keane
Via email appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above OR (20cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units at 2000 level)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The study of public policy has traditionally been focused on the nation-state, and policy-making activities at the domestic level. With the growing recognition of the impact and extent of globalisation, policy scholars are increasingly concerned about the apparently diminishing capacity of the nation-state to determine its own policy directions. This unit reflects critically on this debate around globalisation and the state, and explores the impact of international institutions, interests and ideas on domestic policy-making. The unit examines direct and indirect, coercive and voluntary mechanisms of policy transfer and policy diffusion, and intergovernmental cooperation and coordination. |
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: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various theoretical perspectives on the impact of globalisation on the role of the State.
- ULO2: Describe the policy-making process and identify points at which international factors impact on domestic policy capacity.
- ULO3: Explain the roles played by institutions and actors, both domestic and international, in the policy process.
- ULO4: Describe the various mechanisms through which policy is transferred from one jurisdiction to another.
- ULO5: Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.
General Assessment Information
When it comes to Participation, "Group presentations" relates to class (seminar) activities. Those who attend on-campus seminars will have no online participation requirement. For internals attending zoom seminars rather than those on campus (Special Cisrcumstance), group work relates to separate virtual working rooms. I would urge internals to attend physical tutorials if possible. External students participate via weekly forum discussions, but can also attend the zoom seminar (so long as there is room)
Successful completion of the unit requires submission of all assignments.
Submission details:
The four 350-word posts as well as contribution to open online fora must be posted on ilearn in respective weekly fora.
The Take Home Exam and the Essay must be submitted electronically via turnitin on iLearn. No paper copies of assignments are required, however I strongly encourage you to save your work on multiple devices/in the cloud. Loss of work due to the existence of only one copy that got lost during a faulty software update will not be accepted as a justification for late submission.
Marking rubrics for all assignments, as well as additional assignment explanations, will be made available on ilearn at the beginning of the semester.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Home Exam | 25% | No | 13/9/2020 |
| Essay | 40% | No | 8/11/2020 |
| 350-word post | 25% | No | Varies |
| Participation | 10% | No | Weekly |
Take Home Exam
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: 13/9/2020
Weighting: 25%
The open-books take-home exam will be made of short questions covering topics discussed between week 1 and week 7. The questions will be available on ilearn in week 7 and students will have 48 hours to submit the take-home exam.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various theoretical perspectives on the impact of globalisation on the role of the State.
- Explain the roles played by institutions and actors, both domestic and international, in the policy process.
- Describe the various mechanisms through which policy is transferred from one jurisdiction to another.
- Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 8/11/2020
Weighting: 40%
Essay questions will focus on issues covered throughout the entire semester and be available on ilearn after the mid-semester break. The essay length is 2500 words including bibliography. A detailed marking rubric will be available on ilearn at the start of the semester, and one of the tutorials will include an essay workshop. Students who would like to make up their own essay questions will have the opportunity to do so on request. Self-chosen questions will have to follow the model of the available essay questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various theoretical perspectives on the impact of globalisation on the role of the State.
- Describe the policy-making process and identify points at which international factors impact on domestic policy capacity.
- Explain the roles played by institutions and actors, both domestic and international, in the policy process.
- Describe the various mechanisms through which policy is transferred from one jurisdiction to another.
- Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.
350-word post
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Varies
Weighting: 25%
The 350-word posts will address questions drawing on readings covered over the weeks previous to the post submission. The posts will have to be posted on ilearn in Q and A fora: students will only be able to see their fellow students' posts once they have submitted their own post. Each post will be worth a fourth of the 25%.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various theoretical perspectives on the impact of globalisation on the role of the State.
- Describe the policy-making process and identify points at which international factors impact on domestic policy capacity.
- Explain the roles played by institutions and actors, both domestic and international, in the policy process.
- Describe the various mechanisms through which policy is transferred from one jurisdiction to another.
- Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
Informed and reflective contributions to discussion in class, including contributions to discussions of group presentations, as well as contributions to online fora open to internal and external students on ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe the various mechanisms through which policy is transferred from one jurisdiction to another.
- Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.
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
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
Lectures: available Tuesday morning on ilearn.
There are no mandatory on-campus for online/external students in this unit.
Resources
There is no textbook for this unit. All reading material is available via the library website.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Assignment (excluding online posts in weekly open ilearn fora, which is an ongoing assignment) |
|
1 |
27/7 |
Introduction: Ideas, interests and institutions in public policy |
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2 |
3/8 |
Globalisation and policy-making: Complexity, convergences and divergences |
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3 |
10/8 |
The enduring relevance of domestic and international institutions |
First 350-word post due Sunday by midnight |
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4 |
17/8 |
Transnational activist networks
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|
|
5 |
24/8 |
Transnational bureaucratic entrepreneurs |
Second 350-word post due Sunday by midnight |
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6 |
31/8 |
No classes, reading week (focus on policy transfer)
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|
|
7 |
7/9 |
Policy transfer: Success and failure |
Take Home Exam due Sunday, submission time will be made available weeks in advance. THEN MID SEMESTER BREAK |
|
8 |
28/9 |
Climate change and epistemic communities
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|
|
9 |
5/10 |
Coercive policy transfer: Australian refugee policy in the Asia Pacific
|
Third 350-word post due Sunday by midnight |
|
10 |
12/10 |
Conflict and complexity in foreign policy: Foreign Policy Analysis and the US experience in Afghanistan
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11 |
19/10 |
The Global Financial Crisis: Policy coordination and its limits in the case of the European Union |
Fourth 350-word post due Sunday by midnight |
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12 |
26/10 |
Health policy and Pandemics: The case of Covid-19 |
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13 |
2/11 |
Conclusion: Policy-making in a changing world order |
Essay due Sunday by midnight |
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.