This course is available for on-campus & remote (online) learning. All students participate in interactive, real-time classes.
This course explores the dynamics of Australian political systems - at national, state and local levels – and how these intersect with environmental policy and management. Students will explore key thematic trends in Australian environmental policy-making through a series of case studies including the Murray-Darling Basin, the Great Barrier Reef, Indigenous Land and Sea Management, endangered species protection, biosecurity and invasive species management, and the development of northern Australia, among others. Using a workshop-style approach, the course investigates how issues are defined and perceived by different political actors. What options are available for policy interventions? How do power relations shape policy agendas and policy uptake? What strategies are used by different political actors to promote and defend their agendas? How can wider and diverse publics beyond an inner group of established policy practitioners and decision makers influence policy debates? In addition, this course will provide and encourage external perspectives on the treatment of similar issues in other multi-jurisdictional political systems, including India, China, Europe, North America, Indonesia, and South Africa, among others.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Take a whole-of-system approach to analyzing policy processes and outcomes (taking account of both governmental and non-governmental actors).
- Identify and critically assess strategies used by different political actors to promote and defend policy agendas.
- Define and explain the benefits for policy makers about how other countries address similar issues.
- Present a range of perspectives in a policy forum to stimulate critical discussion of policy options.
- Write a substantial research essay examining policy debates relevant to a major policy issue of your choice.
Indicative Assessment
- Weekly commentaries (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Presentation (7-8 mins) (20) [LO 4]
- Presentation essay (1000 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- A major research essay (3000 words) (40) [LO 5]
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 standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed text. Reference material will be prepared for each session depending on the selected case study and related issues (drawn from a range of disciplines)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
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.