166-470 Contemporary Issues in Governance

This subject is a core (compulsory) subject in the MPPM two year program.

Admission to the MPPM or MSP two year program or the Bachelor of Public Policy and Management fourth-year Pass or Honours program.

This subject examines contemporary issues in public policy in Australia and overseas. Students will investigate traditional and emerging governance models, with an emphasis on the changing nature of governance in the network society. The subject will examine the increasing role of civil society and other non-government actors in policy discourses which invoke 'partnerships', 'networking' and 'third way politics'. The subject will combine theoretical work on the nature of contemporary governance with studies of current policy and program debates. On completion of this subject students should have a well developed critical understanding of a range of governance models operating in contemporary society; understand the implications of emergent governance models for civil society and other non-government actors; understand the relationship(s) between global influences and emerging governance frameworks; have developed the analytical skills necessary to apply the above knowledge to critical evaluation of policy development and implementation in Australian and international contexts.

• show competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;

• demonstrate proficiency in the application of policy analysis skills to empirical problems;

• demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.

A 1000 word essay 25% (due early April) and a 4000 word essay 75% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.