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International Policymaking in Practice (POLS90034)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines how policy is made at both the domestic and global levels. We will explore key actors in policy making, 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 sub-national stakeholders in domestic and global policy making.
We will explore issues in practical policy making 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 covered 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 sub-national actors in global policy making, including nongovernmental organizations, corporations, the news media, and others.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed this subject should have:
- A better understanding of the way in which real-world international policymakers act and the elements that inform decision-making.
- An appreciation for the practical dynamics of domestic and global policymaking pertaining to the global economy, the environment, and international security.
- A better understanding of the roles and influence of a range of stakeholders on domestic and global policymaking processes.
- Developed many 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 policy making 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 |
---|---|---|
Ministerial Brief
| Week 5 | 25% |
NGO Group Report
| Week 6 | 20% |
Research Brief
| During the examination period | 55% |
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: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Justin Alger Mode of delivery On Campus (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 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
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: 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 (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