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International Policymaking in Practice (POLS90034)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines how policy is made at both the domestic and global levels. We will explore key actors in policymaking, the factors and sources of information that they consider, the obstacles they confront, and the strategies and techniques they bring to bear to move policy forward. We will examine how governments and international organizations set agendas, formulate policy, engage stakeholders, and implement and evaluate policy. As well as a practical focus on government policymakers, this subject will also expose students to the roles and influence of non-governmental organizations, corporate actors, and other subnational stakeholder in domestic and global policymaking.
We will explore issues in practical policymaking through a series of case studies. This subject is unique in that it features senior guest lecturers from government, civil society, and the private sector, with past guests including foreign affairs ministers, senior diplomats, and more. Case studies and specific issues each year may include, among others:
- The evolution of economic diplomacy, including international efforts to manage the global economy through the G20.
- Global policy coordination and the domestic determinants of policy to address climate change and biodiversity protection.
- Multilateral arms control efforts, including those relating to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.
- The role of subnational actors in global policymaking, including nongovernmental organizations, corporations, the news media, and others.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to:
- Have developed a better understanding of the way in which real-world international policymakers act; and the elements that inform decision-making;
- Have developed an understanding of the practical dynamics of foreign and trade policymaking and implementation and international norm-building;
- Have a better understanding of the roles of different actors and agencies in Australian foreign and trade policymaking, and
- Have developed some of the key skills needed to be effective international policymakers.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- apply research skills and critical methods in developing persuasive arguments on a given topic;
- communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately;
- write professionally in a variety of governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental policymaking contexts.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies 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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A paper in the form of a ministerial submission on an international policy issue, due after week four of semester
| Week 4 | 25% |
A paper in form of a 3 member team-prepared NGO submission to government on an international policy issue
| Week 8 | 20% |
A research paper, in the form of a briefing to government for a UN conference convened to determine a response to, or review progress made on, specific goals agreed by the United Nations, or specific reviews mandated by UN Commissions or Councils, or the report and recommendations of a major high-level international commission or panel from an approved list, due at the beginning of the examination period
| During the examination period | 55% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of seminars in order to pass this subject, and regular class participation in lectures is also expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Justin Alger Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 1-hour lecture a 1-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available on the LMS, drawing inter alia on international policy texts, think tank analyses and reviews, international commission reports, government documents and practitioner speeches.
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Administration Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Major Development - 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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024