Course Title: Influencing Policy
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Influencing Policy
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
POLI1038 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
330H Social Science & Planning |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2006 |
POLI1038 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024 |
Course Coordinator: Dr Sebastian Cordoba
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9956
Course Coordinator Email: pushkar.cordoba@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 8, Level 10
Course Coordinator Availability: Mon - Wed
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Required Prior Study
You should have satisfactorily completed POLI1066 Public Policy before you commence this course.
Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.
Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.
Course Description
In this course you will develop and refine your policy making and policy analysis skills. This course will build on your earlier policy studies and consider the ways in which social policy is negotiated, formulated and implemented. You will explore contemporary social issues to analyse the policy making process and understand the point of possible impact.
This will involve reviewing the theoretical literature and models of policy making; investigating the nature of policy making processes within the state, community and corporate sectors; identifying the key actors and organisations involved in the development of policy; assessing the role, nature, politics and level of influence of actors and organisations in the policy process; and analysing the key steps and strategies used in the development implementation and review of policy.
Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onwards. See the WAM information web page for more information.)
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
- In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:
- Participate robustly in contemporary and changing ideological and political debates impacting on society, in an informed, flexible and grounded manner to evaluate policy and/or engage in policy debates
- Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on issues of social disadvantage, marginalisation and oppression in both local and international contexts, and proactively work to promote social justice and human rights
- Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and practical reasoning when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts within the discipline of social work
- Use appropriate research methods to independently design and execute a capstone project
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the role and contribution of social workers to influence policy
- Articulate the conceptual issues associated with policy in the contemporary state
- Critically assess models in use and contemporary practices in relation to making and influencing policy, particularly in relation to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
- Actively engage in critical analysis of social policies, particularly in relation to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
Overview of Learning Activities
Learning activities will include interactive workshop activities focusing on group-based discussion and problem-solving tasks. Course learning materials will be made available in a range of formats, which includes lectures, guest speakers and online media. In workshops you will also develop academic skills including analytical reading and academic writing.
In order to develop your knowledge and skills, you will be expected to participate in interactive discussions and activities and to critically engage with the weekly reading materials. The workshops offer a supportive learning environment where you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experiences, and to learn from the knowledge and experiences of your peers.
Overview of Learning Resources
You will be given access to a wide range of resources detailed in the Course Guide and all will be available on Canvas.
RMIT will provide you with a wide range of online learning tools and content for your course from the student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. These resources will include book chapters, journal articles, media articles, lecture notes, bibliographies for supplementary reading, video and links to external websites.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment One: Reflection piece, 10%, 300 words, CLO 2
Assessment Two: Scoping document, 40%, 1200 words, CLOs 1 2 3 4
Assessment Three: Policy submission, 50%, 2500 words, CLOs 1 2 3 4
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.
A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers. Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment