A current mantra of governments worldwide is that they are committed to 'evidence-based policy making'. This course critically examines that commitment. It begins by focusing on the question of how we might asses policy success, emphasising that this does not simply involve policy evaluation. Rather, there are also process and political dimensions to success and often tensions between these dimensions which shape policy developments and outcomes. One particular issue we shall consider is the argument made in some critical literature that, in Westminster democracies like Australia, we have politically-driven evaluation, rather than evaluation-based policy.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
i) Use specific examples to explain key concepts in policy and program evaluation.
ii) Develop a critical analysis of policies and programs based on application of these concepts.
iii) Understand the contribution of sociological theory and research methods to policy and policy evaluation
Indicative Assessment
i) Essay of 1,500 words on the key concepts covered in the course 30%.
Learning Outcomes 1 and 3
ii) Essay of 3,500 words in which students apply the concepts to a particular area of Australian public policy 70%.
Learning Outcomes 2-3
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
There will be one two hour lecture and one one hour tutorial every week. Students will be expected to undertake 6 hours independent learning each week.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
McConnell, A. (2010), Understanding Policy Success: Rethinking Public Policy, Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Marsh, D. and McConnell, A. (2010), "Towards a Framework for Establishing Policy Success", Public Administration, Vol. 88, No 2, pp. 564-583.
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1164 | |
| 2014 | $2478 | |
| 2013 | $2472 | |
| 2012 | $2472 | |
| 2011 | $2424 | |
| 2010 | $2358 | |
| 2009 | $2286 | |
| 2008 | $2286 | |
| 2007 | $2286 | |
| 2006 | $2286 | |
| 2005 | $2286 | |
| 2004 | $1926 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $2574 |
| 2014 | $3246 |
| 2013 | $3240 |
| 2012 | $3240 |
| 2011 | $3240 |
| 2010 | $3240 |
| 2009 | $3240 |
| 2008 | $3240 |
| 2007 | $3132 |
| 2006 | $3132 |
| 2005 | $3132 |
| 2004 | $2916 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4797 | 17 Feb 2014 | 07 Mar 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | 30 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |
