Unit Outline

The public policy arena presents a complex framework of actors, politics, instruments, and practices. This unit examines the broad range of theories, models, influences, and players that shape the development of Australian public policy. It aims to equip students with the knowledge of both the theoretical underpinnings and real-world challenges of the field. The unit examines the economics of public policy, agenda-setting, the policy process, policy instruments, policy implementation, the role of the media, policy consultation, and evidence-based policy-making versus politics, values and ideas. The assessment, which includes a policy briefing paper, provides students with opportunities to select, investigate, and critically analyse real-world governance and public policy problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain and apply key concepts and theories in public policy.
2.	Compare, contrast and evaluate concepts in public policy.
3.	Compare contrast and evaluate theories and case studies in public policy.
4.	Communicate your ideas coherently in written and/or oral formats applying referencing and style conventions as appropriate.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohorts, changes have been made including some adjustment to assessment weightings and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Short Answer Questions	Week 7	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Short Answer Questions	Week 7	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Major essay	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Major essay	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Take-home exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 6:	Take-home exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 7:	Tutorial participation	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 8:	Tutorial participation	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Short Answer Questions

Task Description:

Short answer questions covering first 6 weeks of unit content.

Task Length:

100–150 words per short answer questions, 8 questions in total.

Due Date:

Week 7 (18/Apr/2024)

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that knowledge of key concepts and theories was applied	LO1
2	Demonstrated the capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated the capacity to undertake secondary research using information literacy skills	LO3
4	Communicated knowledge and research results using an essay format	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Major essay

Task Description:

Students are to prepare an essay on a contemporary policy issue of their choice. Set headings corresponding with the weekly unit content are provided by the Unit Coordinator.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 13 (27/May/2024)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that knowledge of key concepts and theories was applied	LO1
2	Demonstrated the capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated the capacity to undertake secondary research using information literacy skills	LO3
4	Communicated knowledge and research results using an essay format	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Take-home exam

Task Description:

Students are to prepare a policy briefing paper on a contemporary issue determined by the Unit Coordinator.

Task Length:

1500-2000 words

Due Date:

Exam Period (17/Jun/2024)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated knowledge of key concepts and theories	LO1
2	Demonstrated capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated ability to respond quickly, accurately and concisely to questions asked	LO3

Assessment Task 7: Tutorial participation

Task Description:

On campus: tutorial attendance and participation. Off campus: online tutorial attendance and participation.

On-campus tutorials are scheduled for 12 noon Tuesdays.
Online tutorials via the Discussion Boards will be open weekly until Thursdays 5pm.

Task Length:

N/A

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that designated material was read and reflected on	LO1
2	Demonstrated the ability to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated the ability to communicate knowledge in face-to-face/online tutorials	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.