166-022 Public Policy Making

Usually one first-year politics subject.

This subject explores the way that public policy is developed and implemented in modern societies like Australia. Beginning with idealised models for the development of "good policy", the subject examines the nature of public policy and government action, challenges to the rules of democratic governments from competing pressures and limitations on governmental action, and current trends in policy development and implementation, and the rise of evidence-based policy. Students who complete the subject will have an understanding of the way in which policy is developed in real world power processes of the political and administrative worlds, ways of thinking about government and "governance", implementation and the role of state and non-state actors, and issues in the evaluation of public policies as "good". The subject considers public policy from both the managerial (technical/administrative) and political perspectives, in keeping in line with the interdisciplinary nature of public policy.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

A research essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a 2-hour examination 50% (during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.