Students
POIR8000 – Policy Design: Concepts and Case Studies
2021 – Session 1, 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 activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Amanda Wise
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(Admission to MPPP or MPH and 40cp at 8000 level or above) or (admission to MPPPMDevStud or MPPPMPASR or MPPPMIntRel or MPSP or MPLAN)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| 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 and stakeholders 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
WORD LIMITS: Word limits DO NOT include bibliography. You maybe +/- 10% word limit.
LATE 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.
ASSIGNMENT EXTENSIONS: By special consideration request.
PARTICIPATION [Blog Posts & Readings]: You are expected to complete 100% of modules, including the submitting the required blog posts demonstrating consistent weekly reading.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blog posts on required readings | 35% | No | Sundays of week 3,5,7,9, midnight |
| Scoping paper | 25% | No | Sunday of week 8, midnight |
| Policy analysis | 40% | No | Sunday of week 13, midnight |
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, midnight
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: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Sunday of week 8, midnight
Weighting: 25%
This short paper 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, midnight
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 final project 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
Note that the unit is entirely online, however as the convenor I am closely following your progress, will provide regular feedback and swiftly answer your queries. The unit is organised in 4 two-week modules and then a period of time during which you can write your major assignment. You can progress at your own pace within each two-weeks module. There are no recorded lectures but suites of activities organised around readings, and suggested questions for you to answer as you progress in your readings.
Unit Schedule
In this unit we are interested in the translation of policy from an initial idea through to its eventual impact in the real world. We are also interested in looking at the way in which scholarly or academic study of policy can be used to improve the practice of policy makers.
This semester we will be working on the case study of refugee employment in Australia, refugee employment being one of your convenor's main research topics. Labour market participation is considered a key element of successful integration by both hosting societies and refugees, however the refugee employment rate remains significantly below that of other newcomers and native-borns. Australia, similarly to other countries, has recently increased its refugee intake, and this policy area has attracted significant interest among scholars and practitioners. During the unit, you will be given a variety of theoretical readings and these will be accompanied by specific material related to the case study.
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Module 1: Policy Design, Practice and Democracy
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Module 2: Defining problems and end users
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Module 3: Designing for delivery
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Module 4: Communication, evaluation and redesign
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Module 5: Preparing for the policy analysis assignment
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook