Publics, Policy and Public Services (PPMN90035)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | February |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
During the twentieth century and the first decade of this century new ways of thinking about the relationship between governments and their citizens have emerged. These developments have in part been a reaction to the strict application of managerial approaches which dominated public administration in the US, the UK and Australia beginning in the 1980s. It also partly reflected a deeper concern regarding the apparent decline in citizens’ attachment to and respect for the practice of politics. This subject will provoke a wide ranging discussion about the role of ‘publics’ (citizens, users, communities etc) in public policy and public services. The emergent paradigm of citizen-centred governance, sometimes called Government 2.0, is networked, collaborative and flexible, with service delivery arrangements which are personalised, choice-based and delivered through multiple channels. This subject will critically examine the theoretical underpinnings of this emergent paradigm and assess its utility in theory and practice, as well as other unconventional approaches to policy making such as behavioural economics and randomized controlled trials, through academic (Aaron Martin) and practitioner (Yehudi Blacher) perspectives. The course will include conversations with practitioners who have sought to re-think the way they have led their organisations to make them more responsive to the needs of their clients. The subject will also draw on a number of local and international case studies.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject students should have developed:
- a clear understanding of the theoretical literature which underpins new approaches to citizen-centric public administration;
- a framework which they can apply to thinking about how organisations can become more responsive to their clients;
- an understanding of the institutional and cultural constraints of this approach to public administration;
- insights into its practical application in different organisational settings.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should:
- be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
- be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of policy analysis skills to empirical problems;
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Political Science or Public Policy at undergraduate level.
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
- A 2,000-word essay (40%) due after the intensive teaching period.
- A 3,000-word essay (60%) due after the intensive teaching period.
- Hurdle requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Sandy Ross Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours This subject will be taught intensively from 9:00am - 5:00pm over 4 days. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 18 February 2017 to 26 February 2017 Last self-enrol date 20 February 2017 Census date 17 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 12 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Admission to the Master of Public Policy and Management.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Master of Public Administration Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Social Policy Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Social Policy - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022