The course involves students in the guided application of theories, concepts and analytical tools to real world policy problems/issues. The Applied Policy Project is designed as a 'capstone' course that enables students of Policy Studies to synthesize and apply their learning from preceding subjects to the sorts of issues they are likely to encounter in the workplace. Students from other programs are welcome in the course provided they meet the required prerequisites.

Students will work through a range of contemporary policy issues/problems as a group and individually, with an emphasis on direct and active student participation. The course will involve a mix of lectures, workshops, student presentations with peer feedback, and role-playing. Students will develop a real sense of the way various actors and institutions engage in policy work and be encouraged to generate confidence in their abilities to be constructive participants in policy work.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. apply their knowledge of policy studies to real world cases;
2. communicate and defend their ideas in a professional manner;
3. conduct research and analysis in a policy context; and
4. produce a substantial piece of written analytical work on a research topic connected to public policy (broadly conceived).

Required Resources

Students will be provided soft copies (PDFs) of all required readings for this course. This will be available on Wattle

Recommended Resources

Students will be provided soft copies (PDFs) of all required readings for this course. This will be available on Wattle

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Policy problems
2	Policy process
3	Writing for Public Policy
4	Roundtable - Scoping Paper
5	Workshop - Putting together Policy Analysis Report
6	Work on Policy Analysis Report (PAR)
7	Roundtable - Draft PAR
8	Consultations on PAR
9	PAR due
10	Workshop - Summary Policy Brief
11	Roundtable - Summary Policy Brief
12	Final feedback on Summary Policy Brief

Tutorial Registration

NA

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value
Policy Brief No 1	20 %
Policy Analysis Report	45 %
Summary Policy Brief	25 %
Participation	10 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Policy Brief No 1

Students will be provided a ‘Client’ with whom they will scope out an ‘issue’, develop a discussion paper and finally provide an analysis report (with recommendations). This ‘issue’ has to be agreed – in writing via email – with the Convener in advance (by end of week 3).

For this assessment task, students must demonstrate that they can: 1. recognise and scope an area of policy that can be improved (with your client); 2. review relevant literature (research and media reports) on that area of policy; 3. identify potential questions surrounding that area of policy (sensitivities, interactions, problems and solutions); 4. distinguish important stakeholders in the policy; and 5. succinctly articulate these components in an ‘scoping paper’ policy brief.

Assessment Task 2

Policy Analysis Report

See Course outline on wattle

In the third assessment, students must demonstrate that they can: 1. research and critically analyse an area of policy in depth; 2. apply relevant academic theories and scholarship to a policy issue; 3. consider alternative views and courses of policy action, and present their implications; 4. present an argument, and a proposed course of action in a professional and persuasive manner; and 5. prepare a comprehensive, clear and concise policy paper.

Assessment Task 3

Summary Policy Brief

For this assessment task, students must demonstrate that they can: 1. describe an issue of policy and its history, and assess the current policy; 2. review and evaluate relevant stakeholder information; 3. appraise these and other perspectives (from media reports and academic literature) on the area of policy; 4. identify existing solutions and actions being proposed (based on academic, government and other relevant publications); and 5. present options and recommendations for action (to a client) in a policy brief.

Assessment Task 4

Participation

See Course outline on wattle

Each student is expected prepare their own work to share with peers related to their policy project. Students are also required constructively review their peers issues papers and research presentations (in person). These will all contribute to the participation mark.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Within 10 business days

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students