Units
Policy Governance and Justice
Unit code: JSB178
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit will enable you to become familiar with policy-making practices and wider issues of governance. The unit aims to introduce the theory and practice of public policy with an emphasis on policy issues relevant to criminal and social justice. It analyses processes in policy development such as policy formation, writing, implementation and evaluation. You will gain tools for participating in policy development processes in both the public and community sectors.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Offered in these courses
- JS31, JS32, IX41, IX45, IX61, IX76, LW42, LW43
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This course is designed to help you meet the selection criteria for research and policy positions in government agencies. This unit will teach you basic vocational skills for working in any government agency, whether it is the Department of Justice, the Police Service or the Army. All government agencies rely on similar writing, communication and consultation skills for developing police. Many important public policies concern issues of law and justice. These skills are also used in the community sector and interest groups, and increasingly by the private sector. A theoretical and practical understanding of good policy making and the role of law and policy in governance will be a distinct advantage for both your career and citizenship roles.
Aims
This unit will enable you to become familiar with the policy cycle and wider issues of governance in both the public and community sectors. The unit aims to introduce the theory and practice of public policy with an emphasis on policy issues relevant to criminal and social justice. It analyses processes in policy development such as policy formation, writing, implementation and evaluation.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the graduate capabilities in the following manner:
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the policy cycle and the ability to prepare quality policy documents with a social justice orientation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of these issues as they relate to the development of policy in the Australian and Queensland governments. You should achieve this objective by using research skills in the resolution of dilemmas.
- Demonstrate your ability to critique and analyse points of view with a view to establishing whether they are effective or even valid policy options. You should be able to meet this objective using an ethical orientation and critical thinking skills.
- Present logical arguments in the format of public service documentation using written communication skills, time management and independent working skills.
- Demonstrate that you understand the system of government and the role of internal and external stakeholders in the policy development and implementation process.
Content
The content of this unit has both theoretical and practical elements so as to ensure that you gain both understanding and some applied skills. It pays particular attention to the legislative and legal framework of policy work and the political context of public policy decision making. The unit adopts a practical approach to developing actual policy consultation, analysis and writing skills but also addresses theoretical aspects of governance, public policy and policy development practices. Teamwork skills and community interaction are emphasised in the unit, along with a detailed understanding of governmental policy processes.
- Definition of policy and public sector ethics
- Effective writing in the public sector
- The Constitution and the role of Parliament
- Justice Policy - The Players
- Ethics
- Policy Cycle and Identifying Issues
- Policy Analysis
- Policy Instruments
- Consultation
- Coordination and the Cabinet Process
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit is available in internal and external mode and has a multi-faceted approach to teaching. The learning activities and tasks have been designed to support and develop student skills in all facets of the policy cycle across the community and government sector.
Blackboard is a dedicated website for this course for internal and external students. This helps you access course materials and keep in contact with the lecturer, tutor and other students. If you have trouble accessing or using Blackboard, you can contact QUT IT Helpdesk for assistance (07) 3138 4000; ithelpdesk@qut.edu.au.
Internal mode
Internal mode delivery involves two hour weekly lectures and one hour tutorials.
You are expected to have read the weekly readings BEFORE the lecture.
The lecture will be a discussion of the topic to assist your understanding and the presentation of real world examples and videos to expand your knowledge.
Experienced guest lecturers will be utilised where possible so as to provide you with an understanding of the application of policy skills in real life settings. All lectures will be podcast but you will learn more by attending and interacting. Tutorials will be where you apply your learning to real world case studies. In effect, you will practice developing policy. All information pertaining to this unit is available by accessing the Blackboard site for JSB271.
External mode
External students will have direct contact with a dedicated external tutor. You will provide short weekly reports over 12 weeks to demonstrate your ongoing learning and understanding of key concepts relating to policy and governance.
A central feature of the approach to teaching and learning for this unit is the embedding of various skills and knowledge that contribute to the four core attributes that you are expected to learn and demonstrate. All units in the School of Justice Studies reflect particular graduate attributes and skills. This unit has embedded several core attitudinal, cognitive, communication and relational skills into its teaching, learning and assessment. All information pertaining to this unit is available by accessing the Blackboard site JSB178.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Discussion Forum
Description:
Each week you are expected to contribute to discussion using knowledge from the lecture, textbook and any other readings or tasks prescribed for that week. You will receive 0, 1 or 2 marks based on the quality of your contribution.
A combined maximum of 20% can be obtained from this assessment item.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weekly
Assessment name:
Discussion Forum
Description:
Every lecture week before close of business Friday, you are required to answer the tutorial question in 250 words. Note that the tutorial will relate to the previous week's lecture. You are expected to reflect your knowledge from the lecture, textbook and any other readings or tasks prescribed for that week. You will receive 0, 1 or 2 marks based on the quality of your contribution.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weekly
Assessment name:
Briefing Note
Description:
Every lecture week before close of business Friday, you are required to answer the tutorial question in 250 words. Note that the tutorial will relate to the previous week's lecture. You are expected to reflect your knowledge from the lecture, textbook and any other readings or tasks prescribed for that week. You will receive 0, 1 or 2 marks based on the quality of your contribution.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 5
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Both
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 11
Assessment name:
Examination (written)
Description:
Every lecture week before close of business Friday, you are required to answer the tutorial question in 250 words. Note that the tutorial will relate to the previous week's lecture. You are expected to reflect your knowledge from the lecture, textbook and any other readings or tasks prescribed for that week. You will receive 0, 1 or 2 marks based on the quality of your contribution.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 5
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Both
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Required Text:
Althaus, C. Bridgman P. & Davis G. (2007) The Australian Policy Handbook, 4th edn, Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
The required textbook will be available for purchase from the Gardens Point Bookshop. All lectures will be recorded and made available via links on the QUT Blackboard site together with additional learning resources and additional material required , will be available via the Blackboard site for this unit
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 07-Aug-2012
