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  2. Public Policy: Shaping Nations [POL3106]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Public Policy: Shaping Nations

  • Unit Code

    POL3106

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Governments shape the nation's future with the decisions they make. This unit will examine the process of government decision making, combining both the theory of policy making and its application in the political process. On completion of the unit students will understand the links between business, government and communities, and how public policies are developed with consideration of various factors. A feature of the unit will be the opportunity to examine current case studies of public policy.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL2115, POL3115, POL4125, POL5106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply theoretical perspective to analyse public sector policy.
  2. Critically evaluate government responses to major contemporary public policy issues.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the economic, legal and administrative issues in public sector policy.
  4. Develop case studies of public policy.
  5. Recognise the elements and dynamics of public sector policy development.

Unit Content

  1. Administering and evaluating public policy.
  2. Federalism.
  3. Impact of globalisation.
  4. Public opinion and policy.
  5. Public policy and neo-liberal ideas.
  6. Role of government intervention.
  7. Role of interest groups and the media.
  8. Theories of public policy.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The presentation of the unit content is through lectures, tutorials and seminars, workshops, visiting speakers, films and documentary videos.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
ExaminationExamination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
EssayEssay50%

Text References

  • Smith, R,. et al. (2012) Contemporary Politics in Australia Melbourne: Cambridge University Press
  • Bennett, S. (1999). White politics and black Australians. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Beresford, Q. (2000). Government, markets and gloablisation. Australian public policy in context. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  • Bridgeman, P., & Davis, G. (1999). Australian policy handbook. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Clark, C., & Corbett, D. (1999). Reforming the public sector: Problems and solutions. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Ward, I., Stewart, R. (2010) Politics One. Melbourne: Palgrave
  • Maddison, S., Denniss, R., (2009) An Introduction to Australian Public Policy Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Weller, P. (2001). Australia's mandarins, the frank and the fearless? Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  • Wiseman, J. (1998). Global nation? Australia and the politics of globalisation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Lewis, P. et al. (2003) Issues, Indicators and Ideas: A Guide to the Australian Economy Sydney: Pearson
  • Van Acker, E., & Curran, G. (2004). Governing, business and globalisation. Melbourne: Pearson Longmans.

Journal References

  • Australian Journal of Public Administration
  • Australian Journal of Politics and History
  • Canberra Bulletin of Public Administration

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL3106|2|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Public Policy: Shaping Nations

  • Unit Code

    POL3106

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Governments shape the nation's future with the decisions they make. This unit will examine the process of government decision making, combining both the theory of policy making and its application in the political process. On completion of the unit students will understand the links between business, government and communities, and how public policies are developed with consideration of various factors. A feature of the unit will be the opportunity to examine current case studies of public policy.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL2115, POL3115, POL4125, POL5106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply theoretical perspective to analyse public sector policy.
  2. Critically evaluate government responses to major contemporary public policy issues.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the economic, legal and administrative issues in public sector policy.
  4. Develop case studies of public policy.
  5. Recognise the elements and dynamics of public sector policy development.

Unit Content

  1. Administering and evaluating public policy.
  2. Federalism.
  3. Impact of globalisation.
  4. Public opinion and policy.
  5. Public policy and neo-liberal ideas.
  6. Role of government intervention.
  7. Role of interest groups and the media.
  8. Theories of public policy.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The presentation of the unit content is through lectures, tutorials and seminars, workshops, visiting speakers, films and documentary videos.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
ExaminationExamination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
EssayEssay50%

Text References

  • Smith, R,. et al. (2012) Contemporary Politics in Australia Melbourne: Cambridge University Press
  • Bennett, S. (1999). White politics and black Australians. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Beresford, Q. (2000). Government, markets and gloablisation. Australian public policy in context. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  • Bridgeman, P., & Davis, G. (1999). Australian policy handbook. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Clark, C., & Corbett, D. (1999). Reforming the public sector: Problems and solutions. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Ward, I., Stewart, R. (2010) Politics One. Melbourne: Palgrave
  • Maddison, S., Denniss, R., (2009) An Introduction to Australian Public Policy Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Weller, P. (2001). Australia's mandarins, the frank and the fearless? Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
  • Wiseman, J. (1998). Global nation? Australia and the politics of globalisation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Lewis, P. et al. (2003) Issues, Indicators and Ideas: A Guide to the Australian Economy Sydney: Pearson
  • Van Acker, E., & Curran, G. (2004). Governing, business and globalisation. Melbourne: Pearson Longmans.

Journal References

  • Australian Journal of Public Administration
  • Australian Journal of Politics and History
  • Canberra Bulletin of Public Administration

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL3106|2|2