Available for on-campus & remote (online) learning. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2024 class dates: Mar 8,15,22; Apr 5,12.
Science and technology (S&T) play a key role in shaping public policy issues in practically every sector. National governments and multilateral agencies (e.g., the United Nations) have high expectations of technological solutions to major policy problems related to the economy, public health, education, energy, agriculture, environment, defence and more. Yet, novel technologies also demand government intervention such as regulation in the public good. Likewise, developments in scientific knowledge have paradoxical effects. Science may be expected to resolve political conflicts by providing incontrovertible evidence to underpin policy, but novel science may equally create new uncertainties and disagreement amongst experts. Added to these challenges are emerging concerns about the ability of digital media to spread misinformation to the detriment of policy objectives.
This course provides concepts and frameworks for systematically exploring the interactions between science, technology and public policy. Drawing on the interface between science and technology studies (STS) and public policy studies, and employing a range of case studies, the course is delivered by a partnership between the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science (CPAS, ANU College of Science) and the Crawford School.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand major themes in studies of the relationship between scientific/technical evidence and other inputs into policy-making
- Develop robust ways of assessing diverse sources and forms of evidence for policy analysis and policy-making
- Understand key challenges in governing scientific and technological research and innovation, and the salient frameworks put forward for coping with these issues
- Critically reflect on lessons from a series of case studies at the interface of science, technology and public policy
- Apply key concepts and theories to analyse case studies in Science, Technology and Public Policy.
Indicative Assessment
- Reflective Summary (500 words) (10) [LO 1]
- Key concepts in STPP (1500 words) (30) [LO 2,3]
- Case study analysis (4000 words) (60) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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
A standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including in class time and independent study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
See Wattle.
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:
- 14
- 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 |
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.
