Equity, Leadership and Policy G (11791.1)

The distribution of opportunities and resources is a central concern of government policy. The pattern of that distribution, and its implications and consequences, are important in an inward-facing sense in terms of the government's own operations, and in an outward-facing sense in terms of government policy's impact on citizens. Equity concerns are high on the list of potential political, and therefore policy, pressures faced by government and the ability to understand and act effectively upon equity concerns requires both a consciousness of, and insight into, the issues specific issues and their context. This unit examines the concept of equity from multiple standpoints (including race, class, gender, age and ability), its expression in policy, the forms that contestations over policy in terms of equity occur, and how these things have, and continue to, change over time. Success factors in dealing with equity challenges in policy will be explored, including the critical role of leadership in effecting equitable outcomes.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand the complex, dynamic environment and institutional contexts in which equity issues emerge and are addressed;
2. Identify a range of equity concerns, articulate their significance, and analyse the effectiveness of government policy addressing them;
3. Assess success factors, in terms of both policy design and implementation, for effective action on equity dimensions of government policy, including the critical role of leadership; and
4. Develop awareness of a range of approaches and techniques particularly useful in policy development and implementation for equitable outcomes, and demonstrate how they could be used in relation to policy addressing current equity challenges.

Graduate attributes

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
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.