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The Nature of Governing (PADM90005)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
February
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The Nature of Governing is one of the core subjects in the Melbourne Master of Public Administration. The Melbourne MPA is an interdisciplinary, globally-focused degree program for managers that work within or with government. This subject sets out the foundations of governing for public outcomes and examines how government and governing institutions have evolved over time and in various settings to meet political and policy challenges, and the implications of this for public managers.

This subject provides students with the theoretical concepts and analytical tools to understand the nature and practice of governing and government in a globalizing world. Its focus is on the relationship between political institutions, actors, ideas and public administration. It draws mainly from the disciplines of political science and international relations, and from related disciplines such as sociology and political economy. Its core objective is to help participants to understand how the political environment (comprised of institutions, ideas and actors) and the practice of politics, constrains and facilitates the work of public managers in delivering public policy. This political environment is simultaneously local, national, international and global and includes elections and appointment procedures, interconnected policymaking institutions, multiple accountability mechanisms, delegation and independent agencies, interest groups, civil society and public opinion. The subject explores the great diversity of these political processes, actors and institutions and assesses how the practice of politics shapes the work of public managers across a range of practical and topical policy domains. The international dimension of this political environment has become ever more important and particular attention will be paid to the influence of international negotiations and agreements, international organizations, global standard setting bodies, international policy learning and diffusion, transnational private sector and civil society actors on the work that public managers do.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should:



  • Understand how the political environment constrains and facilitates the work of public managers in delivering public policy and governing;
  • Acquire knowledge of the theoretical concepts and analytical tools needed to analyse this evolving political environment;
  • Understand the relationship between political institutions, actors, ideas and public policymaking and administration;
  • Appreciate the expanding impact of the international dimensions of policy, including how this environment shapes and enables the work of public managers within countries; and
  • Understand the potential and pitfalls of international policy diffusion and learning.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject students should have:

  • A critical understanding of the operation of governments in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and across the world, and of the way in which the political environment affects the work of public managers;
  • A cross-cultural and interdisciplinary understanding of the complexity of international relations, and an ability to collaborate effectively with other domestic and international actors and institutions;
  • A high-level ability to combine the theory and practice of governing in order to address the managerial challenges that result from the operation of government;
  • A high-level ability to connect professional skills in public administration with discipline based expertise in political science, international relations and cognate disciplines;
  • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills necessary to a range of professional activities including report writing, workplace discussions and lobbying strategies; and
  • Flexible communication skills with a highly attuned sensitivity to a diverse audience, and to the issues specific to cross-cultural communication.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
PADM90007 The World of Public Administration
July (On Campus - Parkville)
February (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

This subject may also be taken concurrently

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Previous study in public policy, political science, management, law, business, economics, international relations, non-profit management or cognate area.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • Assessment Task 1: An issues paper of 1000 words where students identify and address an issue relevant to their work experience or interests that relates to a key governance theme (20%) due in the first week of the teaching period (note: this is prior to the start opf classes)
  • Assessment Task 2: Syndicate project (group presentation and individual paper):
    • Group presentation (20%) to be scheduled during the teaching period
    • Individual paper of 1500 words exploring key aspect of the group presentation (20%) due one week after the scheduled presentation
  • Assessment Task 3: Case paper of 2500 words where students apply key concepts from the course to the issue identified in assessment task 1 (40%) due four weeks after the teaching period
  • Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is required.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • February
    Principal coordinatorJon Pierre
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours24 hours total: 2 seminars per week for 6 weeks
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Pre teaching start date13 February 2017
    Teaching period20 February 2017 to 14 April 2017
    Last self-enrol date14 February 2017
    Census date 3 March 2017
    Last date to withdraw without fail 7 April 2017
    Assessment period ends 8 May 2017

    February contact information

    jon.pierre@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Additional delivery details

Delivery mode:
Intensive, and with a pre-teaching period.

Pre-teaching Period Requirements:
Students will be required to access the LMS and the readings provided in order to prepare for the first assessment task. Note: this is due in the first week of the teaching period, which is prior to face-to-face teaching. Students will be able to contact the subject coordinator for support during the pre-teaching period.

Please note that to enrol in this subject:

  • Students must be admitted to the Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (Enhanced), Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (Advanced) or Specialist Certificate in Public Administration
  • Students must either be enrolled in or have successfully completed PADM90007 The World of Public Administration

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

Last updated: 3 November 2022