This course introduces students to frameworks and theories for understanding the political and institutional context of contemporary policy making. Particular emphasis in the course is given to how various political, regulatory, administrative and communicative institutions shape the process and outcomes of public policy. Throughout the course students will engage critically in ideas on the structures of policy making, including the role of constitutions, the executive, the bureaucracy, the judiciary and other regulators, political parties, elections and the media. The public policy consequences of different jurisdictional arrangements is also examined looking at the benefits and challenges of centralisation and decentralization. Students will also consider how globalization and the proliferation of transnational policy issues are challenging national systems of government.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand the political and institutional context of public policy.
2. Reflect critically on how institutions shape the process and outcomes of public policy.
3. Critically appraise the role and changing nature of state and non-state institutions (including global institutions) in contemporary public policy.
4. Develop convincing arguments and recommendations on the most appropriate governance structures for achieving particular policy goals.
5. Demonstrate the ability to think independently, and persuasively communicate ideas in relation to the institutional and governance aspects of public policy institutions.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week OneWhy institutions matter in public policy
2	Week TwoConceptualising institutions, ideas, and interests
3	Week ThreeRegime types and implications for policy
4	Week FourVarieties of democratic government	Reflective journal
5	Week FiveThe jurisdictions of policy-making: federalism and decentralization
6	Week SixThe role of the executive and legislature in policymaking
7	Week SevenThe role of the judiciary in policymaking
8	Week EightParties, elections, and public policy
9	Week NineEssay preparation (no lecture this week)	Essay outline
10	Week TenCase study 1: the United States of America
11	Week ElevenCase study 2: The People's Republic of China
12	Week TwelveThe global institutional infrastructure of public policy
13	Exam period	Quiz
14	Exam period	Essay

Tutorial Registration

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflective journal (1000 words max)	10 %	17/08/2025	29/08/2025	1,2,5
Quiz	30 %	29/10/2025	12/11/2025	1,2,3,5
Research essay	50 %	03/11/2025	28/11/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Tutorial participation	10 %	*	28/11/2025	1, 2, 4

* 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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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

Reflective journal (1000 words max)

Due Date: Sunday 17 August, 11:59pm

Return Date: Friday 29 August

Details: The reflective journal is an opportunity to relate learning from the course lectures and compulsory readings for weeks 1-4. This assessment task requires students to reflect on the role of institutions in public policy and write about those observations in a weekly journal (approx. 300 words each week). The total word limit for the Reflective journal is 1000 words, not including references (plus or minus 10% on either side is allowed). Please note that the ANU College of Asia & the Pacific's Word Limit and Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item.

Assessment Task 2

Quiz

Due Date: Wednesday 29 October, 11:59pm

Details: The quiz is an opportunity to relate learning from the entire course. This assessment task requires students to answer a series of multiple choice and short-answer questions on the role of institutions in public policy. The quiz will take in content from the entire 12-weeks of the course and will use Proctorio.

Assessment Task 3

Research essay

Due Date: (Essay outline) Sunday 5 October, 11:59pm and (Fully essay) Monday 3 November, 11:59pm

Details: The research essay gives students an opportunity to research and critically analyse a recent policy initiative or reform in a country of their choice and to explain how the institutional landscape influenced the policy processes and outcomes. Students must do more than simply identify the agencies responsible for the initiative (and what role they played); they must demonstrate how the wider institutional landscape shaped and/or constrained the reform. More guidance on the essay will be provided in course lectures and tutorials.

The assessment is in two parts:

1. 1-page essay outline (worth 5%) that identifies your selected policy initiative/reform, outlines your proposed argument or focus, justifies the key institutional theory and factors you intend to examine, and indicative references.
2. 3,000-word essay (worth 45%) that develops this analysis in full. The word count excludes references and allows a 10% margin on either side.

The total word limit is 3,000 words not including references (plus or minus 10% on either side is allowed). Please note that the ANU College of Asia & the Pacific's Word Limit and Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item.

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial participation

Details: The tutorial participation reflects the quality of sustained student engagement in tutorials across the semester, rather than simply attendance. High-quality contributions include thoughtful comments relating to the lecture and reading, evidence of preparation, respectful and constructive engagement with peers, and a willingness to ask questions or offer insights that advance the discussion. Regular, meaningful participation that demonstrates critical thinking and a grasp of the course material will be rewarded.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community 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 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 University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

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.

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.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions 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 all ANU students