The Nature of Governing (PADM90005)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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Overview
| Availability | July - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The Nature of Governing is one of the core subjects in the Melbourne Master of Public Administration. The Melbourne MPA is an interdisciplinary, globally-focused degree program for managers that work within or with government. This subject sets out the foundations of governing for public outcomes and examines how government and governing institutions have evolved over time and in various settings to meet political and policy challenges, and the implications of this for public managers.
This subject provides students with the theoretical concepts and analytical tools to understand the nature and practice of governing and government in a globalizing world. Its focus is on the relationship between political institutions, actors, ideas and public administration. It draws mainly from the disciplines of political science and international relations, and from related disciplines such as sociology and political economy. Its core objective is to help participants to understand how the political environment (comprised of institutions, ideas and actors) and the practice of politics, constrains and facilitates the work of public managers in delivering public policy. This political environment is simultaneously local, national, international and global and includes elections and appointment procedures, interconnected policymaking institutions, multiple accountability mechanisms, delegation and independent agencies, interest groups, civil society and public opinion. The subject explores the great diversity of these political processes, actors and institutions and assesses how the practice of politics shapes the work of public managers across a range of practical and topical policy domains. The international dimension of this political environment has become ever more important and particular attention will be paid to the influence of international negotiations and agreements, international organizations, global standard setting bodies, international policy learning and diffusion, transnational private sector and civil society actors on the work that public managers do.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- Understand how the political environment constrains and facilitates the work of public managers in delivering public policy and governing;
- Acquire knowledge of the theoretical concepts and analytical tools needed to analyse this evolving political environment;
- Understand the relationship between political institutions, actors, ideas and public policymaking and administration;
- Appreciate the expanding impact of the international dimensions of policy, including how this environment shapes and enables the work of public managers within countries; and
- Understand the potential and pitfalls of international policy diffusion and learning.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject students should have:
- A critical understanding of the operation of governments in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and across the world, and of the way in which the political environment affects the work of public managers;
- A cross-cultural and interdisciplinary understanding of the complexity of international relations, and an ability to collaborate effectively with other domestic and international actors and institutions;
- A high-level ability to combine the theory and practice of governing in order to address the managerial challenges that result from the operation of government;
- A high-level ability to connect professional skills in public administration with discipline based expertise in political science, international relations and cognate disciplines;
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills necessary to a range of professional activities including report writing, workplace discussions and lobbying strategies; and
- Flexible communication skills with a highly attuned sensitivity to a diverse audience, and to the issues specific to cross-cultural communication.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into one of the following:
- MC-PA Master of Public Administration
- MC-PAENH Master of Public Administration (Enhanced)
- GCA-PA Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (Advanced)
- SC-PA Specialist Certificate in Public Administration
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Previous study in public policy, political science, management, law, business, economics, international relations, non-profit management or cognate area.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Group presentation
| During the teaching period | 10% |
Literature review
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 25% |
Policy Analysis
| 6 Weeks after the end of teaching | 65% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend 100% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is required | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- July
Principal coordinator Tom Daly Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 20 June 2022 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 13 July 2022 to 19 July 2022 Last self-enrol date 24 June 2022 Census date 13 July 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 29 July 2022 Assessment period ends 26 August 2022 July contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (Advanced) - 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.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 31 January 2024