POLICY 7001 - Fundamentals of Public Policy
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code POLICY 7001 Course Fundamentals of Public Policy Coordinating Unit School of Social Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assessment Reading Assignments 15%; Policy Presentation 15%; Policy Paper 20%; Research essay 50% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Simone Dennis
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand theories of public policy and their applicability today and into the future
2. Understand, analyse and apply different approaches and contexts of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation
3. Understand the limitations of public policy and develop skills in proposing alternative policy approachesUniversity Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,2,3 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
1,2,3 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1,2,3 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
1,2,3 Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
3 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
There is no set text book.
Two sources that you should consult regularly:
Althaus, C., Bridgman, P., & Davis, G. (2023). The Australian policy handbook (Seventh edition). Taylor and Francis
An electronic version is in the University Library
Brian Head Wicked Problems in Public Policy (2022) Palgrave
This is an open access e-book. You can download for free:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94580-0
Other readings will be listed in MyUni and items in the Course Readings
Where might you find a policy examples and general policy discussion?
There are many possible sources where you may find a relevant policy to analyse and link to the theory/concepts/processes/ideas covered - here are a few potential options to start with:
• Daily newsletters such as the Mandarin, the Conversation are free if you subscribe. Check them out online
• Subscribe to the free newsletter from the Australian Policy Observatory. https://apo.org.au/page/how-use-apo
• A reliable news source such as The Guardian, The Age, The Economist etc. Most of these sources provide an option to subscribe and you can select the topics you are interested in. The Economist also has some excellent podcasts worth listening to.
• If you Google ‘ Australian Policy Think Tanks’ you will find links to a whole range of policy institute and research centres where you may find good policies to analyse. For example: Australia Institute; Institute of Public Affairs; Lowy Institute; Centre for Independent Studies; Grattan Institute etc.
There are many international sources also. To be advised -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
No information currently available.
Workload
No information currently available.
Learning Activities Summary
No information currently available.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
No information currently available.
Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as CEQ surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at least once every 2 years. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data can be found at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/selt/aggregates/ -
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines. All University Policies can be obtained from: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/
Academic Honesty and Assessment Obligations for Coursework Students policy and Academic Dishonesty Procedures http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230/
Assessment for Coursework Programs http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/700/
Copyright http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/2643/
Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/
Student Grievance Resolution Process http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/grievance/
Unsatisfactory Academic Progress by Coursework Students http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1803/
[Note: items such as OH&S will be made available routinely on Discipline/School/Faculty websites]
9. Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the University has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their Supervisor/Manager, who will refer them for action under the University's student disciplinary procedures. -
Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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