Course Title: Apply government systems
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
Course Code: POLI5019C
Course Title: Apply government systems
School: 650T TAFE Business
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6102 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
Course Contact : Sally Parrott
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175
Course Contact Email:sally.parrott@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Alain Grossbard
99255522
Nominal Hours: 60
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit covers the effective application of government systems to work in the public sector. It includes applying knowledge of linkages between government/other organisations and between governments, and applying knowledge of the broader political context.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSPGOV601B Apply government systems |
Element: |
1/. Apply knowledge of organizational linkages |
Performance Criteria: |
1. 1 Organisational linkages between government organisations and with quasi-government organisations and non-government organisations 3.1 The organisation, and its authenticity and reliability confirmed |
Learning Outcomes
This unit covers the effective application of government systems to work in the public sector. It includes applying knowledge of linkages between government/other organisations and between governments, and applying knowledge of the broader political context.
Details of Learning Activities
A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.
The self-paced activities will be delivered thought various technology platforms and include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.
The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
You are expected to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
Teaching Schedule
Week 1 –
Introduction to Course. Expectations of subject.
Assessment briefing.
Week 2 –
Current knowledge of government systems: Why is the knowledge of government systems important to public relations practitioners? Why do we need government relations? What are the three tiers of government and are they related? Who are our political parties?
Simulation Case Study
Week 3 –
The structure of the Federal Government, the role of federal parliamentarians, the judiciary and the public service; lobbyists and how they work.
Simulation Case Study
Week 4 –
Guest speaker – Federal MP
Assignment - Group Presentations
Week 5 –
The structure of the State Government and the roles within it; specific areas of State Government responsibility and their relationships with quasi-government and non-government organizations; discussion of current state issues and trends.
Week 6 –
Discussion on role of PR in the delivery of a government service in Victoria and the relationships necessary to achieve outcomes; analysis of last year’s State Government elections.
Guest speaker – PR Manager, State Government
Week 7 –
Visit to State Parliament.
Guest speaker – State Member of Parliament
Week 8 –
Elections and campaigning; political parties, their images and the role of public relations within them.
Guest speaker – Political campaigner
Week 9 –
Pressure groups; who are they, how do you deal with them; what influences are exerted on governments, why and how?
Guest speaker – Pressure group leader
Week 10 –
The role of communications and its importance in a non-for-profit organization; dealing with the extensive number of stakeholders.
Week 11-
Work on Major Assignment
Week 12 –
The structure of Local Government in Victoria; the roles and responsibilities of Councils and Council Officers; how do these differ from other forms of government?
Guest speaker – PR Manager from Local Council
or President of Municipal Association of Victoria
Week 13 –
Excursion/visit to Melbourne Town Hall Council Chambers
Guest speaker on local government; the role of communications and its importance in a large metropolitan council; dealing with the extensive number of stakeholders.
Guest speaker – Lord Mayor
Week 14 –
Presentation of Major Assignment
Week 15 – Test
Week 16 – Overview
Week 17 – Student resubmission
Week 18 –
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignments, journals, presentation and written or test. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1 3 Reports/Presentations on political issues (Federal, State and Municipal)
Individual assignment Value
Length: 500 words each
Aims: Analyse and describe current political event using government system concepts and tools. Suggest ways the issue could have been reduced or resolved, in hindsight.
Apply skills in finding information using online resources, books, journals and newspapers.
Apply Harvard referencing skills.
Assessment criteria:
 Application of government systems concepts and tools to answer the questions
 Good use made of a variety of resources
 Presentations of the final Report
 Correctly uses Harvard referencing system to reference the resources
(minimal requirement: Harvard system used, not footnote system;
author-date in the text, not the book title; reference list, not bibliography)
Instructions
Identify a current or past story in the news which portrays a political issue. The lectures will list categories of issues to assist you think of a news story.
Describe and comment on the event, with the benefit of hindsight, using political risk management concepts and tools: Briefly describe the event (attach a copy of the article if convenient). From the point of view of a public relations practitioner, describe the context of the issue or event, the actual risks associated with the issue or event, who the iisue affected and how it affected them. Are there any other issue that you now think should have been identified?
What political reduction strategies were already in place or likely to have been in place before the event? What other issue reduction strategies could have been used or have been used since?
Assessment 2 Major Assignment – Develop a Communication Plan for a Member of Parliament
Report Due Date: Week 15
Group Interviews: Week 15 & 16.
Group-based (groups of 4)
Length: 1800 - 2000
Group Interviews: 10 minutes
Aim: This assignment requires you to develop a Communication Plan for a member of Parliament to assist the politician respond to their issue.
Work in groups of 3 and develop a written Communication Plan.
Students must meet at least 2 times and provide Meeting Minutes to the teacher outlining items discussed and action agreed for preparation of joint report. Class time will be used for meetings if time permits. Student must also complete a peer review form and give it to the teacher.
Assessment 3 Test covering lectures and activities/workshops In-class & Week 16
Individual activities
Students complete number of activities and workshops that will be assessed via a final test in class.
Assessment Matrix
Course Overview: Access Course Overview