This course will provide an introduction to the study of public policy. It provides an overview of the main theories of public policy processes and examples of their application in the scholarly literature. The course will review the key challenges facing public policy makers. The approach will blend theory and case studies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the key theories of the policy process;
- analyse case studies of policy making using a variety of policy making theories;
- understand contemporary public policy challenges and approaches to resolving them; and
- demonstrate advanced skills in oral and written communication, research and critical analysis.
Indicative Assessment
- Short answer questions (3 x 800 words) (45) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research Essay (2500 words) (45) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Tutorial Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of workshop and workshop-like activities.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
The course will be taught using journal articles, book chapters and case study examples.
Preliminary Reading
Althaus, C., Bridgman, P., & Davis, G. (2013). The Australian policy handbook. Allen & Unwin.
Cairney, P.(2019 ) Understanding Public Policy. Theories and Issues. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Dodds, A. (2018). Comparative public policy. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Peters, B. G. (2018). Policy problems and policy design. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Howlett, M. and M. Ramesh (2009) Studying Public Policy: Policy Cycles and Policy Subsystems. (3 edn). Toronto: Oxford University Press
Howlett, M. (2019). The policy design primer: Choosing the right tools for the job. Routledge.
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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4440 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9023 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
