Course Title: Apply government systems
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: POLI5019C
Course Title: Apply government systems
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6140 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
Course Contact: Julia Makin
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175
Course Contact Email: Julia.makin@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 organisational linkages |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Organisational linkages between government organisations and with quasi-government organisations and non-government organisations are identified and regularly reassessed to maintain currency of information. 1.2 Decisions, advice and actions are taken making effective use of a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of these organisational linkages. |
Element: |
2 . Apply knowledge of inter-governmental linkages |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Linkages between governments are identified and regularly reassessed to maintain currency of information. 2.2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the linkages between governments is used in taking decisions, advice and actions. |
Element: |
3 . Apply knowledge of political context |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Information is sourced from inside and outside the organisation, and its authenticity and reliability confirmed. 3.2 An analysis of the political, social and economic environment is undertaken that takes into account emerging trends, and current and possible future goals of the organisation. 3.3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the current political environment is reflected in decisions, advice and actions taken. |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
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.
This unit also covers high-level workplace communication for working at a senior level with internal and external clients, colleagues and other staff. It includes preparing for high-level communication, critically analysing and responding to opinions, persuading and influencing others, and reflecting on and honing communication strategies.
It will cover lectures, research, speakers, workshops, and dealing with politicians.
A range of learning activities covering workshops current case studies, speakers, reports and quizzes will be covered during the semester.
This course is co-delivered and co-assessed with Persuade and Influence Opinion (MKTG 7880C)
Teaching Schedule
Course Schedule
|
Week
|
Week Commencing 2020 |
Topics |
Assessment |
1 |
10 February |
Course Induction
|
|
2 |
17 February |
Course introduction – Overview on Government systems. Current knowledge of government systems: Why is the knowledge of government systems important to public relations practitioners? Why do we need government relations? |
Quiz |
3 |
24 February |
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?
|
Quiz Workshop activity |
4 |
2 March |
The structure of the Federal Government, the role of federal parliamentarians, the judiciary and the public service; lobbyists and how they work. The art of influence.
|
Quiz Workshop activity |
5 |
9 March |
Lobbyists and how they work. Persuade and influence opinions
|
Quiz |
6 |
16 March |
The structure of the State Government, the role of state parliamentarians, the judiciary and the public service; lobbyists and how they work. Persuade and Influence Opinion.
|
Quiz Workshop activity |
7 |
23 March |
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? |
|
8 |
30 March |
Workshop report & work on Major Assignment |
Quiz |
|
|
Mid-semester break (9-15 April) |
|
9 |
16 April |
Elections and campaigning; political parties, their images and the role of public relations within them.
|
Quiz Workshop activity |
10 |
20 April |
Visit to State Parliament (TBD) Guest speaker – State Member of Parliament |
|
11 |
27 April |
Pressure groups; who are they, how do you deal with them; what influences are exerted on governments, why and how? |
|
12 |
4 May |
Role of PR in the delivery of a government service
|
Quiz Workshop activity
|
13 |
11 May |
Excursion/visit to Melbourne Town Hall Council Chambers (TBD) Guest speaker on local government; the role of communications and its importance in a large metropolitan council; dealing with the extensive number of stakeholders.
|
|
14 |
18 May |
Review course in preparation for test. |
Major assignment due |
15 |
27 May |
Test |
Test |
16 |
3 June |
Assessment feedback |
|
17 |
10 June |
Re-submission |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Resources will be discussed in class and on Canvas shell.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities.
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. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Case Study Workshops on dealing with both persuade and influence opinion and apply government systems
Individual activities. A minimum of 5 x current and real life Case Studies.
Length: 200 to 500 word each activity
Aims: 1. Analyse and describe current techniques to persuade and influence opinion using government system concepts and tools.
2. Suggest ways the issue could have been reduced or resolved, in hindsight.
3. Apply skills in finding information using real life situations, online resources, books, journals and newspapers.
The student will need to identify a current or past story in the news which portrays a political issue. The lectures will list categories of issues will assist in thinking of a news story or an effective means of communicating.
The student will need to describe and comment on an event using political risk management concepts and tools. Briefly describe the event. From the point of view of a public relations practitioner, the student will need to describe the context of the issue or event, the actual risks associated with the issue or event, who the issue affected and how it affected them. 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?Application of persuasion and influence opinion and government systems concepts and tools are required to answer the questions
Assessment Task 2 : Test covering lectures and current activities.
Individual activity
Students will need to complete number of activities and workshops that will be assessed in class. There will be a number of questions that will cover all current aspects in both “Apply Government Systems’ and ‘Persuade and Influence Opinion’.
Assessment Task 3: Quizzes dealing with persuade and influence opinion and apply government systems
Individual activity
The student will need to participate in a weekly quiz using Kahootz held during class time, focusing on the content of past lectures and current situations in terms of the topics happening in Australia and overseas.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS. It comprises of list of criteria for assessment to demonstrate competency and a rubric that will assess the quality, research and competency achieved for each of the tasks outlined above.
Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance-based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Resubmissions:
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one re-submission. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the re-submission.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Grading & re-submissions
Successful re-submissions will contribute a CA (Competency Achieved) result to your overall result for the course.
Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:
Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.
Final results will be in the following format:
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Other Information
This course is co-delivered and co-assessed with Persuade and Influence Opinion (MKTG 7880C)
You should:
• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on CANVAS.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers
Course Overview: Access Course Overview