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Science, Technology and Public Policy (PPMN20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2023
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
Overview
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How do we translate scientific knowledge into public policy? And why is this so often controversial (such as when regulating medicines, chemicals, or water allocations)?
This subject examines the ways in which expertise shapes public policy, taking into account the variety of knowledge/s and disciplines that count when formulating public policy and the different roles which experts adopt in the process. It also investigates the role of public participation in shaping public policy.
It will draw on insights from regulatory science, political theory, and science & technology studies to give students the concepts and analytical tools to understand how science shapes, and is shaped by, regulation. The issues will be explored through a number of detailed cases, including cross-country comparisons of different regulatory approaches.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Understand the ways in which scientific knowledge and public legitimacy shape public policy and regulation, and compare approaches across a number of countries;
- Understand the ways in which public participation contributes to public policy formation;
- Understand the different roles which specialists and experts can assume when advising on public policy and regulation;
- Learn practical techniques relevant to comparing policies and engaging publics in policymaking;
- Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject, students will have skills in:
- reading, writing and presenting clearly and analytically
- conducting library searches for relevant literatures
- developing structured ways of analysing science & technology in policymaking
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
100 credit points of undergraduate study
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
In order to pass this subject, students must attend and regularly participate in a minimum of 75% of tutorials. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
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: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Group presentation Hurdle requirement | Week 5 | N/A |
Individual written contribution to a group presentation project which will connect to essay
| Week 5 | 15% |
An essay
| Due the week prior to the non-teaching break | 50% |
An exam (equivalent to 1,500 words)
| During the examination period | 35% |
Hurdle requirement: In order to pass this subject, students must attend and regularly participate in a minimum of 75% of tutorials. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
- 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: 15 February 2024