Course Title: Discovering Policy

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Discovering Policy

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
POLI1086	City Campus	Undergraduate	330H Social Science & Planning	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006
POLI1086	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

Course Coordinator: Russell Solomon

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8256

Course Coordinator Email: russell.solomon@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Blg 37, level 2, room 23

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course is the first core subject in the Bachelor of Social Science (Policy and Research). In this regard, the course introduces students to policy using Victorian and Australian examples. The course locates policy processes within the wider political system and the notion of citizenship. There is a focus on what governments do in policy terms and why they do it. The course also explores contemporary policy debates as a way to signal to students that policy is a deeply contested field of study and practice.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At end of this course we expect that you will:

1. Be familiar with thinking and talking about key concepts like policy and citizenship;

2. Be able to describe and analyse the relationship between citizenship and public policy within Australia;

3. Have a sound understanding of what governments do in policy terms and why;

4. Have a beginning level understanding of the key debates that influence contemporary policy making;

5. Be familiar with reading and reflecting upon policy related texts. 
 

Students will become familiar with thinking and talking about citizenship and public policy, engage in learning activities which assist in the development of knowledge and understanding and develop confidence to explain and analyse key concepts.

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be able to attend weekly workshops with guided discussion, as well as lectures and an intensive.

Overview of Learning Resources

There will be a prescribed text as well as a variety of on-line materials.

Overview of Assessment

You will be required to complete a number of assignments in order to demonstrate your learning.