How Government Works (12211.1)

Do you want to contribute to and influence government policies, programs and services to build a stable and fair society? The Unit steps through what we need to understand about Australia's system of government to be adept policy makers. We traverse the history and principles of public policy and administration. You will gain a keen understanding of the drivers of policy success, including the necessity of getting the delivery of programs and policies right. You gain a springboard to a range of careers in working for or with governments for the better of the community and society. You will learn how the interplay of our system of government, policy, administration and politics shapes government decisions and actions.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe Australia's system of government, including defining the relationship between the government, the public executive and the judiciary;
2. Evaluate the history, principles and practices of policymaking and public administration in Australia;
3. Analyse different historic and contemporary models of public administration;
4. Develop and communicate, within the context and constraints of Australia's system of government, innovative policy options and delivery solutions that help position Australia to respond to contemporary challenges; and
5. Evaluate government approaches to communicate and consult with the electorate and stakeholders, including those mindful of First Nations and cross-cultural contexts.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
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 - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline

Prerequisites

11235 Introduction to Politics and Government

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.