Handbook home
Professional Practice in Policy Research (PPMN90010)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Not available in 2019
Overview
Fees | Look up fees |
---|
This subject will examine contemporary issues and debates in public policy making in a variety of contexts (Victorian, Australian, and international) through insights provided by professional public policy practitioners. Using these first-hand accounts and questioning these experts about organisational structures, cultures and policy environments, students will carry out research or analytical exercises (of their own choice) of relevance to a particular organisation that will be involved in high-level and complex policy making. Students will also participate in the examination and analysis of contemporary case studies of public policy in action, as well as developing advanced analytical, research and report-writing skills.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Identify and explain major challenges and policy responses and reforms in contemporary political debates, processes of public policy making and public sector management with a nuanced appreciation of the expectations and roles of key actors and institutions;
- Critically select and employ appropriate research methods and techniques based on rigorous analysis, careful consideration of a range of data sources and cogent methodological frameworks along with an appreciation of emerging and innovative professional practices to establish strong evidentiary foundations;
- Demonstrate mastery of the latest scholarship with confidence to meticulously and analytically discern and appraise contextual factors that could influence or impact desired policy or organisational outcomes;
- Comfortably and assuredly work with complexity in terms of information and policy and managerial environments to creatively and expertly distinguish between different dilemmas and opportunities and to tailor strategies to empower a range of key actors, such as public managers and service users or clients, to negotiate change and to effectively resolve or mitigate conflict;
- Clearly and persuasively communicate to high-level government officials through a comprehensive policy research document;
- Exhibit in-depth technical understandings of policy and service design, implementation and delivery principles and challenges, acknowledging different impacts on and needs of less powerful users and communities;
- Draw upon best practice in upholding at times distinctive public sector ethics and values;
- Execute a substantial public policy and management research project independently.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should have:
- in-depth knowledge of the disciplines of political science and policy and administration, and the ability to examine governance, policy and public sector reform issues from other disciplinary perspectives.
- critical and strong reasoning skills, and creativity in applying theory and research methods to complex practical problems across diverse contexts.
- effective oral and written communication skills.
- an advanced appreciation of the Asian and Pacific regions, including Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values and sustainable futures.
- autonomy, self-motivation, self-direction and outstanding organisational skills to set goals and manage time and priorities.
- skills in self-assessment, self-awareness, reflective and lifelong learning, with an overriding commitment to personal and professional integrity.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Either:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PPMN90042 | Political Problems and Policy Responses |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
March (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
Or admission to the 100 point or 150 point programs of the Master of Public Policy and Management (344AB).
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PPMN90010 | Professional Practice in Policy Research | Not available in 2024 |
25 |
Recommended background knowledge
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
- 10-min Research proposal (equivalent to 1,000 words) (10%) Presented in‐class during the first week of the teaching period
- 9,000 word policy report (90%) Due one week after the end of the 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
Not available in 2019
Time commitment details
Total of 340 hours
Additional delivery details
Seminars will be held from 9-5pm
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.
- 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