Course Title: Manage public affairs

Part A: Course Overview

Program: C6169 Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Course Title: Manage public affairs

Portfolio: Vocational Education

Nominal Hours: 70

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.

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MKTG8055C

City Campus

TAFE

650T Vocational Business Education

Face-to-Face or Internet

 Term1 2021

Course Contact: Nick Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0791

Course Contact Email: nick.reynolds@rmit.edu.au



Course Description

In this course you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to plan and manage public affairs programs, develop crisis management strategies and handle high-profile events in the public sector.

The scope of the course will include public affairs practice, identifying audiences for public affairs actions, including resources and identifying public affairs issues in conjunction with the needs of the organisation. Part of the public affairs practice will be developing public affairs objectives, activities, programs and measures in line with the organisation’s business and strategic plans. This includes mitigating risk and you will review operations to identify potential crisis factors and evaluate risk management strategies.

In addition to planning public affairs programs you will undertake public affairs strategic planning for high-profile events - involving outside groups, partners, the media and business in sponsoring/ supporting special events as required.

Assessment for this course includes developing a crisis communications action plan and planning a public relations fundraising event.

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None required.



National Competency Codes and Titles

National Element Code & Title:

PSPGEN083 Manage public affairs

Elements:

1. Contribute to public affairs scope and direction

2. Plan and manage public affairs program

3. Develop crisis management communication strategies

4. Handle high‑profile events

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in managing public affairs.

This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to:

  • Apply skills and knowledge to manage public affairs programs and actions.
  • Develop schedules, coordinate communications and activities.
  • Implement suitable crisis management strategies to align with the needs of the organisation.
  • Successfully plan a public relations plan and event, mitigating and evaluating risk management strategies and contingencies.

Plan and manage public affairs strategies with suitable stakeholders and targeted groups.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

A range of assessment methods will be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following assessment methods will be used specifically to assess competency in managing public affairs:

  • Project management
  • Written reports supported by practical assignments or tasks for individual assessment
  • Observation of workplace practice supported by personal interviews
  • Knowledge tests
  • Practical display with personal interview, presentations or documentation
  • Case studies
  • Real situations
  • Interaction with others.


You will be assessed on the criteria below:

Performance Evidence

  • applying legislation, regulations and policies relating to public affairs
  • planning and setting objectives
  • undertaking strategy development
  • documenting crisis management communication strategies and protocols, including post crisis communication to inform crisis management action plans
  • establishing and maintaining relationships inside and outside the organisation
  • communication including consulting, negotiating and liaising with diverse groups
  • applying procedures relating to work health and safety and the environment in the context of public affairs.

Knowledge Evidence

  • public sector legislation including work health and safety and the environment, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to public affairs
  • public affairs capability and how this relates to organisational objectives
  • event management
  • requirements of crisis management communication strategies.

Assessment Conditions

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.

You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.

Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.