Public Policy PG (6268.7)
Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
---|---|---|
View teaching periods | On-campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Business, Government & Law |
Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
Canberra School Of Politics, Economics And Society | Post Graduate Level | Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will have:1. A working knowledge of Australian federal government policy processes and an ability to undertake policy analysis;
2. An up to date knowledge of the current and emerging real-world Australian policy challenges in policy development and a capacity to develop possible responses to real world policy challenges; and
3. Synthesising relevant knowledge and research skills for practical application in the public sector.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills1. 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
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
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 aims to deepen the participants' capacity to understand and ability to undertake policy development, analysis, implementation and evaluation processes. It seeks to do this by building knowledge of useful elements of policy theory and a strong focus on the actual practice of public policy-making in Australia. It includes a strong focus on the importance of crafting evidence-based policy, while keeping the reality of the political context firmly in view. This unit will encourage students to learn from each others' policy experiences and encourage students to apply this shared knowledge to specific policy problems of relevance to participating government departments.
Policy analysis requires both knowledge of the policy process (applicable to any type of policy) and knowledge of the field to which the policy applies. It includes knowledge of the broad macro-level forces which constrain policy processes such as the political or economic contexts; understanding the institutional processes which shape policy agendas and the solutions we apply to them; the application of knowledge at the decision-making (e.g. problem definition, agenda-setting; policy formulation) and the field levels (implementation, evaluation); and technical tools of analysis.
It presents a 'critical' guide to the principles of traditional policy design and encompasses policy learning from overseas and policy framing, and it argues that strategic communication is a key tool of policy-making in a contested policy environment.
Three sets of skills are developed in this module: political awareness (i.e. the capability to 'see like a minister or end user'), the ability to develop a succinct business proposal to underpin quality strategic policy advice, and advocacy skills in policy presentation.
A pervading theme throughout the unit is the challenges facing the APS in formulating policies that address contemporary and emerging policy problems in a cost-effective, efficient and ethical way. Attention is directed to synthesising historical and current knowledge on policy making with a particular focus on applying that knowledge to real world policy issues.
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Period 2 | 31 March 2025 | On-campus | Mr Graeme Smith |
2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Period 2 | 31 March 2025 | On-campus | Dr Jane Alver |
2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Period 2 | 31 March 2025 | On-campus | Prof Stephen Bartos |
Required texts
As provided on Canvas
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Artificial intelligence
Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) only for assessment 3 in this unit.
GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:
- the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
- the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
- the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.
Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.
The GenAI for Students Links to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Participation requirements
Because part of the assessment is a group project, it is important that you actively participate in the group work, and attend the relevant sessions in the unit schedule.
Required IT skills
None
In-unit costs
None
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
Additional information
None