Public policy in Australia is, and will continue to be unsettled by First Nation's self-determination, sovereignty and resurgence until these concepts are embraced by policy. This course will equip those working in and around public policy processes to understand ongoing contentions that the public policy process brings, and to better work to support First Nation's self-determination and wellbeing in the Australian specific context.

 

The course will outline important challenges when considering in public policy in Australia and will focus students on active engagement using tailored case studies and exercises drawing on real life scenarios. The course will provide participants with a tool kit of diverse conceptual and practical approaches that can be applied to various policy fields affecting First Nation's people, which will help prepare public policy processes to support First Nation's self-governance.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand the major public policy challenges confronting First Nations people and how those challenges affect First Nations lives in Australia.
2. Analyse and better public policy affecting First Nations people.
3. Understand the elements of meaningful consultation, Indigenous led policy design and settler-reflexivity in the policy development process.
4. Work towards preparing public policy processes to support First Nations self-governance.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Seminar 1: Foundations Monday, 8th August 3-5.30pm
2	Seminar 2: Policy and Practice Monday, 15th August 3-5.30pm	Assessment Task 1: Quiz - 15th August (in class)
3	Seminar 3: Today and Beyond Monday, 29th August 12-4pm	Assessment Task 2: Presentation - 29th August (in class)
4		Assessment Task 3: Final paper - 3rd October, 2022

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment
Quiz	10 %	15/08/2022	22/08/2022
Presentation	35 %	29/08/2022	15/09/2022
Final paper	55 %	03/10/2022	01/12/2022

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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

Quiz

Students will be required to undertake a short quiz in class in the second session on key concepts introduced in the readings and in the first session. The quiz will be short answer form.

Students will be marked on their accuracy and clarity. More details to be given to students in class.

Assessment Task 2

Presentation

In this assessment, students will be required to present an overview of how a public policy area, initiative or program needs to be transformed to be less colonising, as well as honouring First Nations sovereignty and self-determination. In the presentation, students are asked to:

• Provide a background to this public policy 
• Outline the areas of improvement this policy area needs when considering First Nations self-determination and sovereignty
• Lead a discussion that engages other students to comment on your presentation

More information to be given in class

Students will be marked on:

• comprehension of the set task
• demonstrated understanding of key concepts
• evidence of your own reflections, ideas and perspectives with the relevant literature
• clarity of ideas
• clarity of the presentation

Assessment Task 3

Final paper

The purpose of this assessment is to develop your critical reflection and analytical skills and apply them to transform a policy area. The review will be presented as a policy paper, aimed to usefully inform policy makers and/or practitioners on any challenges, inconsistencies and improvements to their practice. Whilst you still need to reference as you would in research essay, the language and set out of this paper should be focused for policy makers and practitioners.

In this review, you should briefly describe a policy program or initiative, providing some background to it. However the main part of your essay should focus on critically evaluating and transforming this area to be in . You can refer to news articles and NGO reports, etc. where there are no academic reviews of your program. Finally, the policy document should provide useful recommendations for further investigation, research and/or action.

The word count is 2500 words

Students will be marked on:

• comprehension of the set task
• demonstrated understanding of key concepts
• ability to present and justify an argument
• capacity to make relevant connections between practice and theory
• evidence of your own reflections, ideas and perspectives
• accurate citing of sources
• presented your ideas and arguments succinctly with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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