Students

SOCX8080 – Making Public Policy in a Globalised World

2024 – Session 2, Online-flexible

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
Admission to MPSP or MPASR or GradCertPASR or GradDipPASR (OUA)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines a range of issues relevant to the understanding of how policies are made in increasingly entwined national and international contexts, considering international and domestic institutions and actors. The unit will be taught as a series of modules covering topics such as migration flows, climate change, populism, national and global inequalities, austerity, liberalisation, international policy actors and institutions, contexts and modes of governance, policy-making in non-democracies and democratization processes, political economy of welfare states, varieties of capitalism.

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 and critically analyse current theories of governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • ULO2: Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as populism, immigration, austerity, democratization.
  • ULO3: Engage in independent research showing the ability to build on international scholarship and international examples to address a public policy problem.
  • ULO4: Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings.
  • ULO5: Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research relating to a specific policy problem.
  • ULO6: Communicate research findings and views accurately and effectively using a variety of techniques (written, spoken, visual).

General Assessment Information

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-time 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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quizzes 25% No Weekly
Essay 50% No 03/11/2024
Participation 25% No 03/11/2024

Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 25%

 

Quizzes on the mandatory readings

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 03/11/2024
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 wide range of sources.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as populism, immigration, austerity, democratization.
  • Engage in independent research showing the ability to build on international scholarship and international examples to address a public policy problem.
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings.
  • Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research relating to a specific policy problem.
  • Communicate research findings and views accurately and effectively using a variety of techniques (written, spoken, visual).

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 03/11/2024
Weighting: 25%

 

Informed and constructive participation in online discussions and activities

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as populism, immigration, austerity, democratization.
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings.
  • Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research relating to a specific policy problem.
  • Communicate research findings and views accurately and effectively using a variety of techniques (written, spoken, visual).

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

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 connect.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.

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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.03 of the Handbook