Students

POL 306 – Policy Making in a Global Era

2018 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer, Unit Convenor
Adele Garnier
Contact via Email
Australian Hearing Hub, South Wing, level 2
Tuesday, 10-11
Tutor
Conor Keane
Contact via Email
Australian Hearing Hub, South Wing, level 2
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above or (6cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units at 200 level including 3cp in POL)
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. With the growing recognition of the impact and extent of globalisation, policy scholars are increasingly concerned about the apparently diminishing capacity of the nation-state to determine its own policy directions. This unit reflects critically on this debate around globalisation and the state, 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 and policy diffusion, and 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:

  • Understand 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.

General Assessment Information

Successful completion of the unit requires submission of all assignments. Attendance to lectures is very strongly encouraged.

Submission details:

The four 350-word posts as well as contribution to open online fora must be posted on ilearn in respective weekly fora.

The Take Home Exam and the Essay must be submitted electronically via turnitin on iLearn. No paper copies of assignments are required, however I strongly encourage you to save your work on multiple devices/in the cloud. Loss of work due to the existence of only one copy that got lost during a faulty software update will not be accepted as a justification for late submission.

Marking rubrics for all assignments, as well as additional assignment explanations, will be made available on ilearn at the beginning of the semester.

Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and will require documentary evidence such as a medical certificate to support the request for an extension. You should contact the convenor as early as possible if you think you may need an extension.

 

Late Submission Penalty

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
350-word posts on ilearn 25% No Sundays of w. 3, 5, 9 and 11
Take-Home Exam 25% No Sunday week 7
Participation 10% No Ongoing
Essay 40% No Sunday week 13

350-word posts on ilearn

Due: Sundays of w. 3, 5, 9 and 11
Weighting: 25%

The 350-word posts will address questions drawing on readings covered over the weeks previous to the post submission. The posts will have to be posted on ilearn in Q and A fora: students will only be able to see their fellow students' posts once they have submitted their own post.

Each post will be worth a fourth of the 25%.

A detailed marking rubric will be available on ilearn at the start the semester.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand 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.

Take-Home Exam

Due: Sunday week 7
Weighting: 25%

The open-books take-home exam will be made of short questions covering topics discussed between week 1 and week 7. The questions will be available on ilearn in week 7 and students will have 48 hours to submit the take-home exam.

More information on question types as well as a detailed marking rubric will be available on ilearn at the start the semester.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the various theoretical perspectives on the impact of globalisation on the role of the State
  • 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

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Informed and reflective contributions to online fora open to internal and external students on ilearn.


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
  • Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.

Essay

Due: Sunday week 13
Weighting: 40%

Essay questions will focus on issues covered throughout the entire semester and be available on ilearn after the mid-semester break. The essay length is 2500 words including bibliography. A detailed marking rubric will be available on ilearn at the start of the semester.

Students who would like to make up their own essay questions will have the opportunity to do so on request. Self-chosen questions will have to follow the model of the available essay questions.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand 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.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources

Delivery

Lectures: Mondays, 9am-10am, 25a Wallys Wlk - 207 - attendance is strongly encourage.

There are no mandatory classes for external students in this unit.

Resources

There is no textbook for this unit. All reading material is available via the library website.

Unit Schedule

Week

Date

Topic

Assignment (excluding online posts in weekly open ilearn fora, which is an ongoing assignment)

1

26/2

Introduction: Ideas, interests and institutions in public policy

 

2

5/3

Globalisation and policy-making:

Complexity, convergences and divergences

 

3

12/3

The enduring relevance of domestic and international institutions

First 350-word post due Sunday by midnight

4

19/3

Transnational activist networks

 

 

5

26/3

Transnational bureaucratic entrepreneurs

Second 350-word post due Sunday by midnight

6

2/4

Easter week, no classes, reading week (focus on policy transfer)

 

7

9/4

Policy transfer: Success and failure

Take Home Exam due Sunday, submission time will be made available weeks in advance

8

30/4

Climate change and epistemic communities

 

 

9

7/5

Coercive policy transfer: Australian refugee policy in the Asia Pacific

 

Third 350-word post due Sunday by midnight

10

14/5

Guest lecture Conor Keane: conflict and complexity in foreign policy

 

 

11

21/5

The Global Financial Crisis: Policy coordination and its limits in the case of the European Union

Fourth 350-word post due Sunday by midnight

12

28/5

Health policy: Complexity and competition in global health governance

 

13

4/6

Conclusion: Policy complexity and democracy in a global era

Essay due Sunday by midnight

 

 

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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the roles played by institutions and actors, both domestic and international, in the policy process
  • Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand 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.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Participation
  • Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand 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.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand 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

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand 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.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand 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.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 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.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 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.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Participation
  • Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 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
  • Locate, assess and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.

Assessment tasks

  • 350-word posts on ilearn
  • Participation