Handbook home
Public Policy Lobbying Strategies (PPMN90031)
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
March
Overview
| Availability | March |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed to develop an understanding of the links between contemporary public policy and political communication and lobbying processes, in particular how the political and media environment can be utilised to transform the public policy agendas of interest groups and NGOs into concrete political and legislative outcomes. In a world of increasingly short-term media cycles and fragmented audiences, developers of public policy can no longer rely just on the quality and integrity of their ideas and recommendations to attract and maintain broad-based support. Instead, contemporary public policy is becoming increasingly reliant on ‘campaign style’ forms of political lobbying to achieve community influence as well as traction among government decision-makers. The subject explores the theory and research behind these changes, in particular why certain interest groups and sectors are able to position themselves for public policy success compared to others. The subject gives specific attention to ways to develop and advance public policy through a prism of ‘campaign-style’ political communications and lobbying. These techniques include how to develop public policy narratives that align with the interests of policy and political decision-makers; how to use evidence-based research to build a case for change; forming third-party coalitions to build broad-based support, as well as the use of strategic media to project the benefits of public policy change. The subject’s specific focus is on public policy lobbying campaigns that have occurred or are occurring within the Australian political and public policy environment but its themes and approaches are equally applicable to other contemporary political systems.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Understand the theory and development of public policy lobbying in politics and processes of public policy making and public sector management with a nuanced appreciation of the expectations and roles of key actors and institutions in sub-national, national, regional and international contexts
- Assess the effectiveness of public policy lobbying campaigns through objective measurement and analysis
- Clearly and persuasively communicate to diverse audiences with an understanding of the components of public policy lobbying and communication that effectively promote specific policy initiatives and objectives
- Design and critique comprehensive lobbying strategy directed at key audiences in timely and effective manner.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should have:
- In-depth knowledge of the disciplines of political science and policy and administration, and the ability to examine governance, policy and public sector reform issues from other disciplinary perspectives
- Critical and strong reasoning skills, and creativity in applying theory and research methods to complex practical problems across diverse contexts
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- An advanced appreciation of the Asian and Pacific regions, including Indigenous knowledge, cultures and values and sustainable futures
- Autonomy, self-motivation, self-direction and outstanding organisational skills to set goals and manage time and priorities
- Skills in self-assessment, self-awareness, reflective and lifelong learning, with an overriding commitment to personal and professional integrity.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies or Public Policy 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 written campaign proposal
| Due half way through the teaching period | 20% |
A full campaign strategy
| During the examination period | 80% |
| 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
- March
Coordinator James Murphy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 1-hour lecture per week and a 2-hour seminar per week from the teaching start date for eight weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 18 March 2024 to 17 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 29 March 2024 Census date 5 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2024 Assessment period ends 15 June 2024 March 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
Required readings will be made available electronically via LMS prior to the commencement of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Major Education and Social Change Major Tailored Specialisation Major Governance, Policy and Markets Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Public Policy and Management Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management - Links to additional 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: 31 January 2024