Students

POIX2070 – Governance, Power and Public Policy

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
Francesco Stolfi
francesco.stolfi@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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 in a range of policy areas. Students are also introduced to key actors and institutions, as well as to relevant theories for analysing public policy.

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: Explain and critically analyse the way in which power and politics impact on public policy and the policy process
  • ULO3: Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in influencing policy in networks, subsystems or communities
  • ULO4: 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
  • ULO2: 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
  • ULO5: Recognise, understand and apply the most common theoretical approaches used in studying politics and policy, and identify differences and similarities between them
  • ULO6: 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

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 Submission All written assignments must be submitted using the “Turnitin Assignments” facility on the iLearn website. This facility includes software which scans the uploaded assignments for plagiarism. Follow the instructions on the screen carefully. Your assignment should be uploaded before midnight on the due date. In all cases, you should ensure that you keep a copy of the assignment.

Return of marked work Marked assignments will be returned via the same facility on iLearn. When marks are released, you will need to go back in to the assignment submission box, and open your uploaded assignment. When you click on the “GradeMark” button, you will be able to see the marker’s comments on your work. You can save or print the essay with the comments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 50% No May 16
Online presentation and discussion 10% No Weekly
Examination 40% No 5-7 June

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: May 16
Weighting: 50%

The essay 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.
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Online presentation and discussion

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Post one brief topic presentation during the course, to start the discussion in one of the weeks between weeks 2-12. Engage in the ensuing discussion about the topic
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5-7 June
Weighting: 40%

The take-home exam will include questions on the entire content of the unit and will be made available on iLearn.
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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

 

 

Classes

Weekly classes involve a 2 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial.

Reading

There are a range of journal articles and chapters that are required reading. These will be listed on iLearn and available via Leganto.

Textbook:

The required text for this unit is  Maddison, S. & Dennis, R. 2013. An Introduction to Australian Public Policy: Theory and Practice, Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.

The Leganto block on the unit’s iLearn website provides a link to the 2009 ebook version, but having a copy of the 2013 book would be best as key readings for the majority of the weeks come from this.

Where to buy the textbook

Physical shops:

- Abbey's

- Kinokuniya

- Elizabeth's

- Dymocks

Online:

- amazon.com.au

- booktopia.com.au

- jekkle.com.au

- zookal.com

The remaining set readings are available through the Leganto block on this iLearn site.

 

Technology used and required

All enrolled students have access to the POIR2070  website via iLearn. iLearn will provide access to lectures (powerpoint presentations for download and recordings through the University's Echo lecture recording facility) as well as readings, links and forum discussions. Regular access to iLearn is required in order to complete the unit.

 

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:

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 2021.01R of the Handbook