Students

POIR3060 – Policy Making in a Global Era

2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer / convenor/ tutor
Jonathan Symons
jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email: jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au
Room 252, Level 2, 25B Wally's Walk
Email to make appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above OR (20cp in POL or POIR or POIX units at 2000 level).
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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. However, national policy-makers are increasingly focused on international policy challenges. Using a series of detailed case studies, this unit reflects critically on debates around globalisation and the state. The unit introduces students to the policy process 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, diffusion and mobility, as well as the factors that shape patterns of 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

Special Consideration & Late 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. 

https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class Tests 20% No Test 1: Thursday 28 March; Test 2: Thursday 30 May
Research essay 50% No 11.55pm Monday 13/5/2024
Participation 30% No Submit to ilearn: 23:55, Tuesday in your allocated week

Class Tests

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Test 1: Thursday 28 March; Test 2: Thursday 30 May
Weighting: 20%

 

Quizzes based on readings – see ilearn for details.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 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.

Research essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 11.55pm Monday 13/5/2024
Weighting: 50%

 

2500 word research essay requiring independent research on a policy question. Essay questions and marking criteria will be provided on iLearn.

 
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: 25 hours
Due: Submit to ilearn: 23:55, Tuesday in your allocated week
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will be assessed on writing and presenting a policy brief in respect of one policy case study, and on their responses to other students’ presentations. The policy brief is to be submitted to ilearn on set dates. See ilearn for details.

 
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

There is no text book for this unit. All essential readings will be provided through the unit's Leganto page (or links on ilearn). Students will need to conduct some of their own research online and/ or in the library to complete assessment tasks.

Lectures

Lectures (Thursday, 12-2pm - 14 SCO 100 Theatrette) will be recorded and available via Echo360/ ilearn. If you are unwell please listen to the lecture online rather than attend class.

Tutorials:

External and OUA students are expected to participate in the unit discussion board (ilearn) each week. External and OUA students will be able to complete all tasks off campus but are welcome to attend lectures as they wish.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 - Thursday 22 Feb Ideas, interests and institutions in public policy

Week 2 - Thursday 29 Feb Thinking critically about the ‘state’. Key case: Settler colonial states and policies that perpetuate structural racism.

**Each student must select one week in weeks 3-12 to submit a brief to ilearn (Tuesday 11.55pm prior to class) and present it to the class (Thursday).

Week 3 - Thursday 7 March Policy processes - how policies are made; where policy ideas come from. Key case study: Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme.  *First week of weekly policy brief submission and presentation.

Week 4 - Thursday 14 March Activists, ideas and social norms. Key case studies: Modern Slavery Legislation, Abortion Law & the Uluru Statement Agenda.

Week 5 - Thursday 21 March  Economic ideas in policy-making. Key case study: Climate policy.

Week 6 -  Thursday 28th March The institutions of global policy-making.  Key case studies: Trade regulation: from the World Trade Organisation to Sino-US trade tensions; Global Development Policy.

Test 1 on readings from weeks 1-6 Thursday 28th March:  

Week 7 - Thursday 4 April International interests and national policy-making I. corporate influence Key case study: platform governance (Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, X etc.)

Week 8 - Thursday 11 May. International interests II: foreign state influence. Key cases: US and Chinese influence on Australian society and policy-making. 

_______________________________

MID SEMESTER BREAK: 15 to 28 April 2024

Week 9 - Thursday 2 May - Policy transfer. Key cases: Housing policy.

Week 10 - Thursday 9 May - Australian regional influence. 

Week 11 - Thursday 16 May - Reading Week - No Tutorials or Lecture

**Essay Due Thurs 16 May**

Week 12 - Thursday 23 May  Covid-19 and comparative crisis responses.

Week 13  - Thursday 30 May Citizen’s engagement in policy-making – from deliberative democracy to protest and revolt.

Test on readings from weeks 7-13: Thursday 30 May.

 

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 2024.01 of the Handbook