Business and Government (PPMN90056)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | March |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The respective roles, responsibilities and sources of power characterizing relationships between business and government play a crucial role in shaping public policy and regulation, within and between countries. Because of its productive function, business often enjoys a privileged position with government, while a major goal of policy and regulation at national and international levels is to steer and regulate business activity. Relationships between business and government vary significantly in different countries, economic sectors, and over time, and the conceptual tools for understanding them remain subject to widespread debate. This subject critically reviews contemporary policy debates and scholarly research, and draws on contrasting case examples to explore theoretical, normative and practical implications of business-government relationships. Particular attention is given to debates about government-business relationships associated with processes of public policy formation and implementation, social and environmental regulation, and delivery of public services and infrastructure. On completion of the subject, students should have a strong critical understanding of debates about the character and inter-relationship of business and government, from a comparative and international perspective.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Explain theoretical, practical and normative implications of business-government relationships drawing on scholarly literature and contemporary policy debates
- Compare business-government relationships between different countries, economic sectors and over time using relevant conceptual tools
- Reflect critically on the changing roles, responsibilities and sources of power that characterise relationships between business and government
- Design public policy proposals to solve real-world policy and/or regulatory dilemmas concerning complex business-government interactions.
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply theory, research skills and critical reasoning to case study analysis
- Communicate effectively in oral and written form
- Construct coherent arguments using appropriate evidence
- Collaborate with others and work autonomously.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
POLS90015 Business and Government
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class preparation activities
| Weekly | 10% |
Case study analysis
| 5 Weeks from the teaching start date | 30% |
Policy report
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 40% |
Oral defence of policy report
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 20% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures where offered. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- March
Coordinator Kate Macdonald Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 28 hours: a 2-hour seminar and 1-hour asynchronous LMS content per week and 1-hour expert dialogues every two weeks spread over eight weeks from the teaching start date. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 2 May 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 28 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 March contact information
Associate Professor Kate Macdonald kmac@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Social Policy Course Master of Public Policy and Management Course Executive Master of Arts Course Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - 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.
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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025