Students
POL 821 – Case Studies in Politics and Policy
2015 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Annabel McConnachie
Contact via annabel.mcconnachie@mq.edu.au
By appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPP or PGDipPP or PGCertPP or MPASR or PGCertPASR or PGDipPASR or GradDipPASR or GradDipPP or GradCertPP or MIntLawGovPP
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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 provides the opportunity to explore a topical and significant policy area in detail, looking at both the historical development of the policy and contemporary policy-making. The area to be examined will vary, reflecting current debates and interest in the public arena.
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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:
- identify and explain the historical and contemporary approaches of Australian governments to forced migration;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the main reasons for forced migration and understand how the Refugee Convention deals with those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- recognise and understand the complex nature of debates in this policy areas;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- undertake independent legal and policy research to explain and clarify current issues relevant to Australia;
- critically evaluate and analyse arguments surrounding forced migration and public policy – both orally and in written work; and
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | 20% | 16 March | No | ||
| Assessment 2 | 30% | 26 April | No | ||
| Assessment 3 | 50% | 5 June | No |
Assessment 1
Due: 16 March
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
Short essay of 1,250 words critically analysing a set document(s). The purpose of an article review essay is not to summarise the content of the articles but to assess and comment upon the merit of the articles and to evaluate the authors' contentions and argument. The body of the review essay will therefore be an evaluation of the two authors’ arguments and a commentary on the articles contribution to the understanding of this policy issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify and explain the historical and contemporary approaches of Australian governments to forced migration;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the main reasons for forced migration and understand how the Refugee Convention deals with those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
Assessment 2
Due: 26 April
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
Short paper of 1500 words analysing policy area and making recommendations. Write a fictional policy brief for the relevant Commonwealth minister. Information on how to write policy brief will be provided on iLearn. Your document should outline: (a) what the issue is, (b) provide appropriate background material, and (c) suggest appropriate recommendations.The word limit is to be strictly observed, and your brief should be clear, succinct, and coherently argued.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- recognise and understand the complex nature of debates in this policy areas;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
Assessment 3
Due: 5 June
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:
Essay of 4000 words based on course materials and independent research. Students are expected to choose their respective research topic based around (but not entirely limited to) this unit outline. This is a thought provoking exercise intended to stimulate students to develop their own topic of research and to work out an appropriate proposal of research. All students must prepare a brief to be presented on iLearn during Weeks 6 or 7 (each student will be allocated a date) in order that there can be full discussion of each topic at the first weekend school on 12 April, so that final research topic questions can be approved by 17 April 2015.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify and explain the historical and contemporary approaches of Australian governments to forced migration;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the main reasons for forced migration and understand how the Refugee Convention deals with those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- recognise and understand the complex nature of debates in this policy areas;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- undertake independent legal and policy research to explain and clarify current issues relevant to Australia;
- critically evaluate and analyse arguments surrounding forced migration and public policy – both orally and in written work; and
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Delivery and Resources
Lecture:
1 hour recorded lecture each week
Online Discussion:
iLearn will be utilised each week to initiate a discussion of both the readings and the lecture.
Weekend School times and locations
Two compulsory weekend schools of four hours each over the semester
The dates for the two weekend school sessions are:
Sunday 12 April: 2pm - 6pm
Sunday 31 May: 2pm - 6pm
(Location for these sessions to be advised)
Online Information
All students must ensure that they have access to the Online Unit via iLearn from Week 1. Lectures will be recorded and powerpoint presentations uploaded each week to the Unit homepage. Announcements and reminders will be posted onto iLearn for the benefit of students and additional material may be made available for student research.
Required and recommended resources
Weekly readings will be made available through iLearn (and accessible through the Library database, e-Reserve or on iLearn). Each of the 5 readings required for the first assessment will be posted to iLearn.
Unit Schedule
| 24 February | Introduction: Global Migration |
| 3 March | International Relations Theory: Securisation |
| 10 March | International Human Rights Law |
| 17 March | International Refugee Legal Framework |
| 24 March | Complementary Protection |
| 31 March | History: from White Australia to Vietnam/CPA |
| Mid Semester Break | |
| 21 April | Reading Week: No Lecture |
| 28 April | Deterrence |
| 5 May | Current Policy: from Tampa to Manus Island |
| 12 May | People Smuggling |
| 19 May | Mixed Migrations: Economic/Environment Refugees |
| 26 May | International Relations |
| 2June | Global Governance |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
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 improve your marks and take control of your study.
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
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment tasks
- Assessment 2
- Assessment 3
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- identify and explain the historical and contemporary approaches of Australian governments to forced migration;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the main reasons for forced migration and understand how the Refugee Convention deals with those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- recognise and understand the complex nature of debates in this policy areas;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- undertake independent legal and policy research to explain and clarify current issues relevant to Australia;
- critically evaluate and analyse arguments surrounding forced migration and public policy – both orally and in written work; and
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment tasks
- Assessment 1
- Assessment 2
- Assessment 3
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- identify and explain the historical and contemporary approaches of Australian governments to forced migration;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the main reasons for forced migration and understand how the Refugee Convention deals with those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- recognise and understand the complex nature of debates in this policy areas;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- undertake independent legal and policy research to explain and clarify current issues relevant to Australia;
- critically evaluate and analyse arguments surrounding forced migration and public policy – both orally and in written work; and
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment tasks
- Assessment 1
- Assessment 2
- Assessment 3
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- undertake independent legal and policy research to explain and clarify current issues relevant to Australia;
- critically evaluate and analyse arguments surrounding forced migration and public policy – both orally and in written work; and
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment tasks
- Assessment 2
- Assessment 3
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- identify and explain the historical and contemporary approaches of Australian governments to forced migration;
- demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and the development of the international legal obligations of States towards those seeking asylum;
- identify the main reasons for forced migration and understand how the Refugee Convention deals with those seeking asylum;
- identify the range of actors and institutions involved in this policy area, inside and outside government, and understand how they influence the policy process;
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- critically evaluate and analyse arguments surrounding forced migration and public policy – both orally and in written work; and
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment tasks
- Assessment 1
- Assessment 2
- Assessment 3
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- evaluate critically the range of views on the challenges to be overcome in asylum seeker and refugee affairs;
- evaluate critically the extent to which forced migration policy-making is evidence-based, or ideological;
- formulate and defend in depth a particular position within current policy debates.
Assessment tasks
- Assessment 2
- Assessment 3