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.
Students should be aware that this course involves substantial group-work for a number of assessment tasks.
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:
- Identify and examine the basis of environmental policy and how it is developed and implemented in Australia, as well as in other relevant jurisdictions;
- Describe and evaluate key environmental public policies, as well as information and tools to support them;
- 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 to construct written material relevant to the public policy sphere.
Other Information
Students will have the options to individually weight their assessment items (within ranges) at the beginning of the semester, so as to tailor the coursework to the tasks they see as a priority for their individual learning journeys.
If you do not meet the requisites for this course, it may be possible to receive a permission code. If you are prompted for a permission code on ISIS, please request one online via the following form.
Indicative Assessment
- Policy brief (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Tutorial organisation and facilitation (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Course reflection journal (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Policy research project report (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 2 hour interactive lectures plus 1 x 2 hour tutorial per week.
- Approximately 72 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Dovers, S. and Hussey, K. 2013. Environment and Sustainability: A Policy Handbook. 2nd edition. Sydney: Federation Press.
Assumed Knowledge
96 units or written approval of the course convenor.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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3779 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |
