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Political Problems and Policy Responses (PPMN90042)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Online and Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
March
Semester 2 (Early-Start)
Overview
Availability | March - Online Semester 2 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery |
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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 and should be undertaken early in the 200-point Master of Public Policy and Management. Students will problematise policy issues and construct a range of possible policy responses based on fundamental political concepts such as rights, liberalism and democracy. We 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 public governance, public policy and public sector management.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Identify, compare and explain major traditions, trends and challenges and reforms in contemporary political debates and processes of public policy making with an appreciation of the expectations and roles of key actors and institutions in sub-national, national, regional and international contexts
- Comfortably and assuredly work with complexity in terms of information to creatively and expertly distinguish between different dilemmas and opportunities
- Engage in more abstract or esoteric discussions and be able to summarise, synthesise and meaningfully translate into non-specialist language
- Clearly and persuasively communicate with an awareness of cultural norms and sensitivities as well as agility to shift from shorter briefings to longer, detailed presentations
- Assemble and critique case studies
- Consider the importance of upholding at times distinctive public sector ethics and values in making decisions
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
This subject is compulsory in the Master of Public Policy and Management, and Head of Program approval is required for enrolment by Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
No longer available | |||
PPMN90042 | Political Problems and Policy Responses |
March (Online)
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
25 |
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Recorded oral presentation
| Due on Day 1 of classes | 10% |
Group presentation based on position paper
| Due on Day 4 of classes | 25% |
Summit report
| Due two weeks after Day 5 of classes. | 25% |
Crticial text review
| Due 12 weeks after Day 1 of classes | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- March - Online
Principal coordinators Liz Strakosch and James Murphy Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 48 contact hours: Delivered intensively over 6 teaching days, scheduled as one standalone day and five consecutive days. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 22 March 2021 to 23 July 2021 Last self-enrol date 15 April 2021 Census date 30 April 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 July 2021 Assessment period ends 31 August 2021 March contact information
- Semester 2 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinators James Murphy and Liz Strakosch Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 48 contact hours: Delivered intensively over 6 teaching days, scheduled as one standalone day and five consecutive days. Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 19 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 30 July 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 (Early-Start) 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 Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Public Policy and Management - Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022