Grounded in the discipline of public policy, the course considers the complexities around public policy-making for the environment and sustainability. The course considers how policy is made and the institutional settings within which it is made, how problems and policies are framed, implemented and evaluated, and the inherent challenges in choosing appropriate policy instruments to meet an objective. The course focuses particularly on Australia’s public policy and institutional settings, but comparisons with international case studies will be made. Interactive lectures and tutorials provide students with opportunities to analyse specific environmental policy issues in theoretical frameworks and over different time scales. Topics explored include water and climate policy, sustainability in business and industry, public and civil society participation in policy-making, and the relationship between international environmental policy and Australian environmental policy.
Honours Pathway Option
Subject to the approval of the course convenor; students taking this option must complete an extra piece of reading each week and give an analysis of its relevance and importance to environmental policy. Students will also give a seminar to the class based on their research essay. All other assessment and requirements remain the same.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the basis of environmental policy and how it is developed and implemented in Australia and other relevant jurisdictions;
- describe and evaluate key environmental public policies;
- evaluate alternative choices of policy design and policy instruments in the context of major environment and sustainability issues, including in both Australian and international contexts; and
- employ advanced research, writing and presentation skills, including the preparation of written material relevant to the public policy sphere.
Indicative Assessment
- 750 word policy brief (25%) (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
- 2,500 policy project report (40%) (LO 1, 2, 3 4)
- Tutorial organisation and facilitation (25%) (LO 2, 3, 4)
- Tutorial preparation and participation (10%) (LO 1, 2, 3 4)
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
48 contact hours comprising one two-hour lecture and one two-hour tutorial per week. Students must also attend one two-hour “masterclass” seminar in the semester and a public seminar (students choose any relevant seminars held at the ANU, with the guidance of the convener). Substantial preparation is required for weekly tutorials.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Dovers, S. (2005) Environment and Sustainability Policy: creation, implementation, evaluation. Sydney: The Federation Press.
Althaus, C., Bridgman, P. and Davis, G. (2007) The Australian Policy Handbook. (4th edition). Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
Dovers, S and Wild River, S. (eds) (2003) Managing Australia's Environment, The Federation Press.
[Tutorial readings will be available from the course website after the first week of semester.]
Assumed Knowledge
96 units or written approval of the course convenor.Areas of Interest
- Forestry
- Geography
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability
- Resource Management and Environmental Science
- Human Sciences
- Policy Studies
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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $3444 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4590 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3225 | 20 Feb 2017 | 27 Feb 2017 | 31 Mar 2017 | 26 May 2017 | In Person | N/A |
