This unit introduces students to the study and practice of public policy. It covers contemporary issues and problems in policy studies and aims to deepen participants' knowledge of the theory and practice of public policy-making. The unit is organised into four themes of critical inquiry: public policy fundamentals; understanding the policy environment; decision-making - from ideas to action; and understanding collaborative governance within and beyond the nation state.
Theme 1, public policy fundamentals addresses the question - what is public policy and how should it and is it studied and practiced? Theme 2, understanding the policy environment explores a range of analytical perspectives on the broad environmental factors that inform the policy process such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the national, regional and global economic context and other processes of globalization such as transnational policy-making, and geopolitics. Theme 3, decision-making - from ideas to action provides a micro exploration of the policy process via agenda-setting, problem definition, policy formulation, implementation, evaluation and learning (including innovation and long-term thinking). The module assesses the ingredients of policy 'success', 'failure' and innovation; and, issues involved in researching and studying policy continuity and change. Theme 4, collaborative governance within and beyond the nation state examines the role of interorganisational forms of policy-making and delivery such as transnational policy transfer, and whole of government taskforces and delivery networks, where policy is the outcome of collaboration between different jurisdictions, state and non-state actors.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe key actors, their relationships and sources of influence in shaping policy outcomes and discuss the issues involved in studying the policy process;
2. Identify the complex issues surrounding the formation, implementation and evaluation of public policy and the institutional and organisational contexts which shape the policy making process;
3. Explain key terms, processes and debates informing contemporary practice of public policy;
4. Interpret current policy models and frameworks that are used to assess policies and the policy process by academics and practitioners; and
5. Evaluate the policy decision-making process and identify factors that are relevant to understanding policy 'success' and 'failure' including past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples challenges.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.