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Publics, Policy and Public Services (PPMN90035)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Overview
Availability | February |
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As states, societies and economies have grown and developed in ever increasing complexity, since the end of the twentieth 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 managerial approaches which dominated public administration in the US, the UK and Australia beginning in the 1980s. They also partly reflect a deeper concern regarding the apparent decline in citizens’ attachment to and respect for the practice of politics. This subject aims to provoke a wide ranging discussion about the role of ‘publics’ (citizens, users, clients, stakeholders, communities, etc.) in public policy and public services through critical engagement with an emerging paradigm of citizen-centred governance. Sometimes called Government 2.0, this approach to public policy and public administration is typically described as networked, collaborative and flexible, with service delivery arrangements which are personalised, choice-based and delivered through multiple channels. We will critically examine the theoretical underpinnings of this emergent paradigm and assess its utility in theory and practice, and its relationship to newer tools in policy making such as behavioural techniques (‘nudge’), randomized controlled trials and big data. We will combine academic and practitioner perspectives, and include conversations with different practitioners grappling with the tension between accountability and responsiveness. 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 contemporary 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.
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
Admission to the Master of Public Policy and Management.
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 during the intensive teaching period.
- A 3,000-word essay (60%) due after intensive teaching period has concluded.
- 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 Coordinator Yehudi Blacher Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 32 hours total: This subject will be taught intensively from 9:00am - 5:00pm over 4 days. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 17 February 2018 to 25 February 2018 Last self-enrol date 19 February 2018 Census date 16 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 11 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation 200 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 100 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.
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