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POIX8000 – Policy Design: Concepts and Case Studies

2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener
Ben Spies-Butcher
ben.spies-butcher@mq.edu.au
Room 314, Level 3, 25C Wally's Walk
By appointment
Lecturer
Tobia Fattore
tobia.fattore@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Antonina Gentile
antonina.gentile@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 8000 level and admission to MPSP (OUA)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
POIR8000
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

General Assessment Information

The unit includes a semester long group project on a specific policy reform process. We will discuss policy options and groups in the first few weeks. We provide this list of current/recent policy reforms for you to choose from. You may also choose an alternative with the permission of the unit convener. Please consult the unit convener by week 4 if you would like to select an alternative.

Replacing Stamp Duty with Land Tax in ACT or NSW

Abolition of the Cashlesses Welfare Card 

Introduction of a Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption

Improving housing affordability through Co-Ownership (Federal or State)

Decision to procure Nuclear Submarines

Construction of a Metro line to Parramatta (NSW)

National Referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Reform of the Fair Work Act

National Health Reform Agreement

ACT decision to Decriminalisation small quantities of Drugs

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Blog posts/Workshop discussion contributions 20% No Week 3 of relevant module
Annotated bibliography 20% No Monday March 20
Scoping paper 30% No Friday May 5
Group report 30% No Sunday June 4

Blog posts/Workshop discussion contributions

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 3 of relevant module
Weighting: 20%

 

Contributions to in person classes or discussion boards demonstrating engagement with module 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.

Annotated bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Monday March 20
Weighting: 20%

 

Review of key literature related to report (1,200 words)

 
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.

Scoping paper

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Friday May 5
Weighting: 30%

 

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.

Group report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sunday June 4
Weighting: 30%

 

Major report co-written with group members on policy case study (4,000 words)

 
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

POIR8000 is designed to be largely self directed. The unit consists of four modules with resources and activities provided through iLearn. For each module a 2 hour seminar will be held for on campus students and recorded for online students. All students will have an opportunity to ask questions in advance and all students are able to attend.

Seminars will be held in Weeks 2, 5, 8 and 11. Modules are organised to allow time in the first week of each module to read the set material and identify questions. The second week will include the seminar. Comments and responses in the discussion forums will  be made in the second and third weeks. Week 13 is left free to focus on finalising the final assignment.

Unit Schedule

The unit will be organised around four modules.

  1. What is a policy problem: defining problems and end users (TF)
  2. Policy Design (BSB)
  3. Implementation and communication (TF)
  4. Evaluation and redesign (BSB)

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. 

 This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2023.01R of the Handbook