Democracy, Power and the Public Service (PADM90019)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | April |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject deals with the many ways in which an independent public service is a fundamental component of a well-functioning liberal democracy. This issue is often discussed by placing the unelected (‘undemocratic’) bureaucracy in tension with elected actors and the public. However, developments worldwide in recent years have heightened our understanding of an independent public service as a key pillar for any democratic system: keeping government accountable; providing trusted information to both government and the public; assisting with production of policy; and as a protector of individual rights and the rule of law more broadly. In many states worldwide the public service’s independence has come under direct attack, or is being slowly undermined due to diffuse trends, including increasingly polarised political environments where the very idea of an objective institution is subject to doubt.
The subject coordinator, Tom Daly, has extensive experience of both public administration and a research background focused on the health of liberal democracy in states worldwide.
Principal topics will include:
- The scope of the field.
- Defining the public service and its historical development.
- The main roles an independent public service plays to support democratic governance.
- Direct attacks on the independence of the public service in states worldwide.
- More diffuse threats to the independence of the public service.
- The role of the individual public servant in this picture.
- Case studies.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Understand the central importance of an independent public service/public administration to democratic rule
- Have developed ideas about how the role of the public service has changed over time in this respect.
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of the relationship between the public service and key elected actors (e.g. government, parliament).
- Be aware of the many issues raised for an independent public service by both direct attacks on independence and wider trends that affect independence.
- Have an advanced understanding of the critical debate on the role of an independent public service in a healthy democracy and be able to contribute effectively to it.
- Be able to analyse these developments, and the academic commentary on them, from a comparative perspective.
Generic skills
Generic skills that will be developed through successful completion of this subject include:
- A capacity to identify, understand and evaluate major new developments in public administration and governance in both Australia and internationally.
- The ability to think conceptually and analytically about the relationship between institutions in public governance.
- An appreciation of how principle and practice change over time and the ability to analyse how and why.
- Advanced research skills in understanding and explaining institutional arrangements in sufficient detail to be reliable for the purposes of sustaining an argument.
- The skills and capabilities to reflect upon professional practice in order to meet ethical challenges at the individual and institutional level.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
The subject is relevant for any student with an interest in the core value of independent public administration to democracy and who wishes to reflect on this in an accessible and engaging way.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Role play on a topic approved by the subject coordinator | During the teaching period | 20% |
Policy brief on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 40% |
Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 5 Weeks after the end of teaching | 40% |
Additional details
Due dates for the above assessment will be provided on the LMS.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- April
Principal coordinator Tom Daly Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 7 April 2020 Pre teaching requirements Stduents will be expected to access and review the subject materials on the LMS. Teaching period 21 April 2020 to 24 April 2020 Last self-enrol date 9 April 2020 Census date 21 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 8 May 2020 Assessment period ends 29 May 2020
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022