Students

POL 802 – Comparative Public Policy

2018 – S1 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Francesco Stolfi
Hearing Hub, Level 2, South Wing
Wednesdays 5-6 or by appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPPP or MPASR or MIntRel or MIntPubDip or MIntLawGovPP or GradDipPP or GradDipPASR or GradDipIntRel or GradDipSIA or GradCertSIA or GradCertPP or MSc in Environmental Health or MTransInterMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MPPPMDevStud or MPPPMPASR or MPPPMIntRel
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The framework of public policy-making has become internationalised in recent years. This unit will examine the range of approaches for comparing policies and programs in circumstances of increasing globalisation, considering the international and domestic institutions, structures and agents involved in these processes and the methods used to evaluate policy "borrowing". The unit will evaluate theories and frameworks concerned with policy transfer and policy learning and apply these critically to real-world instances of policy-making.

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:

  • Explain and critically analyse the ways in which economic and political institutions affect policy-making.
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of economic governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, explain and critically evaluate the institutional complementarities underlying modern economic governance and how they vary across countries in Europe and elsewhere.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such inequality, labour market liberalisation, the institutional convergence or divergence of capitalist systems, and the mutual relationship between economic and political institutions.
  • Locate, analyse and synthesise different kinds of evidence about comparative capitalism from a range of sources.
  • Communicate research findings and recommendations effectively to a range of audiences
  • Master the literature on comparative capitalism

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Literature Review 1 40% No 15/04/2018
Literature Review 2 40% No 10/06/2018
Attendance and Participation 10% No Weekly
Quizzes 10% No Weekly

Literature Review 1

Due: 15/04/2018
Weighting: 40%

Literature review, namely a review of the academic literature. The academic literature includes academic journal articles, academic books and chapters in edited academic books.

This review should analyze in depth one topic between Week 2 and Week 5

Further information can be found in the assessment guide


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and critically analyse the ways in which economic and political institutions affect policy-making.
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of economic governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, explain and critically evaluate the institutional complementarities underlying modern economic governance and how they vary across countries in Europe and elsewhere.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such inequality, labour market liberalisation, the institutional convergence or divergence of capitalist systems, and the mutual relationship between economic and political institutions.
  • Locate, analyse and synthesise different kinds of evidence about comparative capitalism from a range of sources.
  • Master the literature on comparative capitalism

Literature Review 2

Due: 10/06/2018
Weighting: 40%

Literature review, namely a review of the academic literature. The academic literature includes academic journal articles, academic books and chapters in edited academic books.

This review should analyze in depth one topic between Week 8 and Week 12

Further information can be found in the assessment guide


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and critically analyse the ways in which economic and political institutions affect policy-making.
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of economic governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, explain and critically evaluate the institutional complementarities underlying modern economic governance and how they vary across countries in Europe and elsewhere.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such inequality, labour market liberalisation, the institutional convergence or divergence of capitalist systems, and the mutual relationship between economic and political institutions.
  • Locate, analyse and synthesise different kinds of evidence about comparative capitalism from a range of sources.
  • Master the literature on comparative capitalism

Attendance and Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

It includes two presentations


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate research findings and recommendations effectively to a range of audiences

Quizzes

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Quizzes on the mandatory readings


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Master the literature on comparative capitalism

Delivery and Resources

This unit has a unit webpage which is accessible only to currently enrolled students. Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Required readings will be provided via e-Reserve on the library database.

 

Classes

For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations.

 

External students are encouraged to attend regular lectures and seminar classes whenever they can.

Attendance

University regulations prescribe regular attendance at classes. Students are expected to attend all lectures and seminars, or on-campus sessions for external students.

For internal students, failure to attend at least three-quarters of seminars risks exclusion from and no credit for the unit.

If you are unable to attend a class, you should provide documentary support for your absence (eg  medical certificate). If you know that you will be unable to attend a class, or on-campus session, you should contact the convenor as early as possible.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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://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.

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 outcome

  • Communicate research findings and recommendations effectively to a range of audiences

Assessment task

  • Attendance and Participation

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

  • Explain and critically analyse the ways in which economic and political institutions affect policy-making.
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of economic governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, explain and critically evaluate the institutional complementarities underlying modern economic governance and how they vary across countries in Europe and elsewhere.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such inequality, labour market liberalisation, the institutional convergence or divergence of capitalist systems, and the mutual relationship between economic and political institutions.
  • Locate, analyse and synthesise different kinds of evidence about comparative capitalism from a range of sources.
  • Master the literature on comparative capitalism

Assessment tasks

  • Literature Review 1
  • Literature Review 2
  • Quizzes

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

  • Explain and critically analyse the ways in which economic and political institutions affect policy-making.
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of economic governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, explain and critically evaluate the institutional complementarities underlying modern economic governance and how they vary across countries in Europe and elsewhere.
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such inequality, labour market liberalisation, the institutional convergence or divergence of capitalist systems, and the mutual relationship between economic and political institutions.
  • Locate, analyse and synthesise different kinds of evidence about comparative capitalism from a range of sources.

Assessment tasks

  • Literature Review 1
  • Literature Review 2

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

  • Explain and critically analyse the ways in which economic and political institutions affect policy-making.
  • Identify and critically analyse current theories of economic governance and apply them to several political systems around the world.
  • Identify, explain and critically evaluate the institutional complementarities underlying modern economic governance and how they vary across countries in Europe and elsewhere.

Assessment tasks

  • Literature Review 1
  • Literature Review 2

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 outcome

  • Communicate research findings and recommendations effectively to a range of audiences

Assessment task

  • Attendance and Participation

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 outcome

  • Communicate research findings and recommendations effectively to a range of audiences

Assessment task

  • Attendance and Participation