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Foundations in Politics and Policy (PPMN90042)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed to introduce students to key ideas from political science, providing a foundation for further study in governance, public policy and public management. This subject is highly recommended for those students accepted into the 200-point Master of Public Policy and Management who do not have a major area of study related to political science or policy and for those undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.
Students will begin by exploring fundamental political concepts such as rights, liberalism and democracy and will consider how these concepts have and continue to shape the practice of politics and government in Australia and elsewhere. We will then focus in on the role and function of key political actors and institutions paying particular attention to how they influence and impact on public policy processes and outcomes. Upon completion of this subject, students will be familiar with the major theoretical concepts, institutions and actors in political science that are most relevant to policy and management.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject students should:
- be able to understand, explain and engage with major political ideas;
- have a solid understanding of the institutional structures and key actors in politics;
- be able to understand and critically apply competing theories to political questions and problems;
- be able to engage with contemporary political issues and debates;
- be able to argue a considered position in oral and written presentations; and
- have developed a solid background for further studies in governance, public policy and public management.
Generic skills
On completion of this 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;
- proficiency in the application of policy analysis skills to empirical problems;
- 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
PPMN90034
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
- 1. Seminar presentation (oral/1,000 words), students allocated to different weeks (10%)
- 2. Reflective Essay (written paper based on presentation/1,000 words), students allocated to different weeks (10%)
- 3. Minor Essay (2,000 words), due Week 7 (20%)
- 4. In-class written test (2,000 words), due during final week of semester (20%)
- 5. Major Essay (4,000 words), due during the examination period (40%)
- Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subjec tand regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinators Adam Hannah and Michael McGann Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 contact hours: 2 x 2-hour seminars per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Adam Hannah Coordinator Jeremiah Brown Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 contact hours: 2 x 2-hour seminars per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
340 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Required readings will be available from the subject’s LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Public Policy and Management - 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