Introduction to Public Policy (11378.1)

Introduction to Public Policy is an entry level unit that provides students with background on the origins of and developments in theory and practice of public policy. Students will define, analyse and apply these theoretical lenses to contemporary policy challenges. The unit examines the nature of the policy process, the role of key actors and institutions and the challenges of administration and policy implementation.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Identify and communicate the key areas of debate in public policy theory;
2. Describe and explain the key theories and concepts developed by public policy scholars for understanding the policy process;
3. Describe and explain the relationship between policy and politics in liberal democracies;
4. Identify the key influences on policy;
5. Evaluate the efficacy of the policy processes in Australia; and
6. Conduct and complete basic policy analysis requiring group work, research and referencing and communicate the results effectively in writing.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Skills development

This unit is delivered in a hybrid format. Both in-person and online realtime learners will be together for a lecture and then workshop.

Please note that this unit is accompanied by an invitational (optional) extra-curricular component called "Public Service Walks". They take place Monday mornings, 8 am, with a current or former public servant. They begin after Week 4. More will be shared about this in class.

All assessments in this unit have been mapped against (a) the Learning Outcomes and (b) the Graduate Attributes listed in the unit outline.

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

8785 Public Policy in Theory and Practice

Assumed knowledge

None.