Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Policy Impact: Monitoring and Evaluating

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

POLI1109

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Dr Sharon Andrews

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8239

Course Coordinator Email: sharon.andrews@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.2.08

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course equips you to participate in evaluations that explore the short, medium and longer-term outcomes of a given policy initiative.   The course provides a conceptual framework for making sense of the theory and practice of policy impact evaluation as well as exploring the politics of outcomes/impact measurement. You are introduced to key tools and practices that are commonly incorporated into impact evaluations.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Make use of complex theories, diverse evidence and modes of reasoning, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice in policy and social innovation.
  • Demonstrate research literacy in terms of recognizing and accounting for the potential and limitations of research findings and their application to policy problems;
  • Value ongoing professional development, diverse stakeholder engagement and collaborative relationships in the design and implementation of policy initiatives.


Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Define key concepts related to policy impact evaluation.
  2. Identify and critically evaluate key practices, and tools that support outcomes/impact measurement;
  3. Critically analyse key debates regarding the means and ends of policy impact evaluation;
  4. Develop strategies to capture and evidence policy impacts.


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 may include 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 experience your peers. This peer-based learning may take place through small-group discussions and/or collaborative work on activities and assessments.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be given access to a wide range of resources through a Course Reader or core textbook and also will be able to access to 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 Tasks

Stakeholder Analysis – 20% 1000 words

Case Study – 30%.  1500 words

Evaluation Plan – 50%  2500 words

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.