The interface between science and public policy - between our key modern sources of knowledge and action - is of fundamental importance to modern society. Yet while our technologies and techniques of scientific enquiry have allowed us to learn ever more about the world, and our collective ability to enact change has become ever more powerful, the relationship between scientific knowledge and public policy action has never been entirely smooth. This course traces the dynamics, contours and fractures of this interface.
Topics covered include: policy for doing science and for implementing its outputs; appropriate science and technology policy and practice; the relationship between science priorities and government priorities; the implications of funding arrangements; science in the community; the differing languages and time frames of scientists and policy makers; practical techniques for community involvement; the tensions between what stakeholders want and what they need; and risk perception, analysis and communication.
It is our goal in this course to generate a mindset that can help to produce better policy for science, and better engage scientific enquiry with policy action.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
UG Learning Outcomes
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Locate and assess literature relevant to political debate and policy formation from a variety of relevant sources. LO1
2. Compose clear, contextualised arguments drawing on a range of relevant scientific and other sources. LO2
3. Identify and describe the key issues guiding the science / policy interaction. LO3
4. Engage experts in discussion by questioning and analysing their presentations. LO4
PG Learning Outcomes:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Locate and critically assess literature relevant to political debate and policy formation from a wide variety of sources. LO1
2. Drawing on a range of scientific and other sources, compose clear, persuasive and contextualised arguments for a range of audiences. LO2
3. Understand and describe the key issues guiding the science / policy interaction. LO3
4. Engage experts in debate by questioning and critiquing their presentations. LO4
It is the goal of this course to enable students to consider what will produce better policy for science, and better science based policy.
Indicative Assessment
7 Opinion pieces drawing on relevant literature to address key science policy questions (7 x 10%, LO1, LO2, LO3)
Collaborative literature review (20% total, LO1)
Questions for experts (10%, LO4)
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
2 hour weekly seminar, 2 hours online discussion forum, 6 hours study time per weekRequisite and Incompatibility
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. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3096 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3183 | 20 Jul 2015 | 07 Aug 2015 | 31 Aug 2015 | 30 Oct 2015 | In Person | N/A |
