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Political Advising (PADM90017)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
May - Off Campus
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Political advising equips participants with the advanced understanding and skills required to excel in a political advisory role. Focusing on the interdisciplinary knowledge found in public financial management; whole-of-government policy development and implementation; and, in the real-politik found in parliamentary democracies, this subject explores the interconnected relationship between public management, public policy and politics.

The subject will particularly focus on understanding political advising and the strategic environment in which ministerial advisers operate. Participants will develop a deep understanding of advisers across the public sector and the strategic environments that shape their actions, and the relationships these advisers develop to deliver on the public policy challenges of the 21st century.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • ppreciate the connections between political advising and a range of disciplines including political science, law, and economics.
  • Understand the foundations of political advising in the context of public policy and public administration, and contemporary debates related to this.
  • Understand the strategic environment in which political advisers operate and the relationships they develop to deliver on public policy goals.
  • Explore the local, national, and regional factors that impact on these advisers and their environment.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject students should have: 

  • A comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the interconnectedness and complexity of the fields of political advising, public policy and public administration, and the political environment in which advisers operate;
  • A sound understanding of politics, economics and the law as they are connected to key ideas in political advising, particularly from a public appropriations perspective;
  • A high-level ability to combine theory and practice in a meaningful way in order to address political challenges and analyse contemporary issues;
  • A high-level ability to combine professional managerial and advisory skills with discipline-based expertise and to apply this complex synthesis to professional practice;
  • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills necessary to a range of professional activities including report writing, workplace discussions, negotiation and management and lobbying strategies;
  • A comprehensive understanding of the accountability framework relating to ministerial advisers in the context of both the Westminster system of responsible government;
  • A comprehensive understanding of the accountability framework relating to ministerial advisers in the context of both the Westminster system of responsible government;
  • The ability to draw upon an extensive repertoire of advanced professional skills, in particular in decision-making, providing advice and collaborating across sectors.

Last updated: 24 January 2023