To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:
A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Public Policy by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.
A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Public Policy by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) plus and additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.
A minor in Public Policy is not available to students who commenced the Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7), Bachelor of Arts from 1 January 2019.
A student may complete an extended major sequence in Public Policy by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed below.
An extended major in Public Policy is not available to students enrolled in the double Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degrees.
Course aims
The key educational aims of the Public Policy major are to:
- provide graduates from a variety of backgrounds and interests-including political science, social work and business studies with an awareness and understanding of how governments organise their executive, policy-making and administrative activities; the ways in which governmental programs are devised and implemented; and the impact of public policies and programs on business and society
- provide graduates who wish to pursue a career in either the public sector, private sector businesses that have significant dealings and interactions with government, or community organisations; with the necessary intellectual and professional skills
- provide graduates with opportunities to gain an insight into the application of these skills through the in depth study in key policy areas.
Learning outcomes
Graduates with a major in Public Policy should be able to apply their professional knowledge to the formulation of policies, the provision of policy advice, the preparation of policy analyses, and the undertaking of policy research and evaluation. In particular they should have an understanding of:
- the ideas, and principles which shape public policy both in Australia and internationally, the institutions which give it legitimacy and legal force, the processes and means of analysis that give it practical form, the political context which influences its development and its relationship to and interaction with the wider economy and society
- the debate regarding the role of government in a market economy and analyse the patterns of business, government, and community interaction as they relate to key policy areas.
They should also have an ability to:
- communicate in a professional and culturally aware manner through high quality written analytical and oral presentational skills and express complex ideas and proposals in a concise and logical form
- apply academic research and study to the analysis of policy issues and dilemmas
- work collaboratively to ensure that their knowledge and skill relates to and supports the work of other professionals in a modern working environment
- understand the impact of cultural difference on policy development and implementation
- operate at all times within a strong ethical framework.
Program of study
The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Public Policy and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the degree in which you are enrolled.
Major - Public Policy
Core - Year 1 topics
POLI1003 An Introduction to Democracy and Government (4.5 units)
POLI1012 Introduction to Political Ideas and Public Policy (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
Select 4.5 units from Group A plus a further 4.5 units from either Group A or Group B.
Option - Group A topics
POLI2002 Government Business and Society (4.5 units)
POLI2011 Australian Public Policy: Applications, Issues and Dilemmas (4.5 units)
Option - Group B topics
AMST2002 American Politics (4.5 units)
DVST2701 Sustainable Development (4.5 units)
INTR2003 The Asia-Pacific in the 20th Century (4.5 units)
PHIL2601 Ethics for Professionals (4.5 units)
POLI2005 Politics of the European Union (4.5 units)
POLI2012 Environmental Politics (4.5 units)
POLI2020 Australian Indigenous Politics (4.5 units)
POLI2025 The Politics of the Australian Welfare State (4.5 units)
POLI2026 Research Methods in Political Science (4.5 units)
SCME2100 Media Policy (4.5 units)
WMST2012 Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia (4.5 units)
Core - Year 3 topics
POLI3010 Advanced Perspectives on Public Policy (4.5 units)
plus 4.5 units from the year 3 topics listed below
AMST3013 The Alliance and the Rise of China (4.5 units)
GEOG3702 Cities, Geography and Policy (4.5 units)
INTR3001 Australian Foreign Policy (4.5 units)
POLI3011 People and Politics: Australia, Canada and the United States (4.5 units)
POLI3067 Access and Equity: Social Issues in Public Policy (4.5 units)
POLI3103 Politics and the internet (4.5 units)
WORK3200 Social & Policy Studies Workplace Research Project (4.5 units)
plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the year 2 or 3 topics listed above or
POLI3007 South Australian Parliamentary Internship (9 units)
Honours
Refer to Honours- Government and International Relations
