Course coordinator
Professor Brian Head
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Politic Sc & Internat Studies
This course will contain several modules focusing on an integrated PPE approach towards addressing some of the world's 'wicked problems'. The course will be taught in lecture-seminar mode, using a range of policy documents and online materials. The modules will be taught by leading academics from across UQ schools and institutes, assisted by eminent international experts where appropriate as a means of facilitating their engagement with UQ teaching and learning.
This course considers how an integrated PPE approach can be applied to understand and address some of the world's intractable or 'wicked' problems.
The course aims to introduce students to the nature of contemporary policy analysis, debates about issues and solutions, and the interaction between economic, ethical and political values.
The courseﾠpresumes that there is likely to be disagreement among citizens and stakeholders about the way in which policy problems are perceived.
In fact, there is seldom a consensus about the nature and significance of a majorﾠpolicy problem, and the measures necessary to improve the situation.
The political system, along with markets andﾠthe legal system, provide avenues and opportunities for testing and settling many policy issues.
Ongoing policy challenges canﾠre-emerge in new ways, for example, in response to crises or changing circumstances.
During this course, students will consider a wide range of examples illustrating how and why there is diversity in the understanding of important problems - like poverty, sustainable development, immigration and national identity, climate change responses, criminal offending, human rights, disruptive technologies, and so on. The intention is to cover issues of interest to students of economics, philosophy and political science in an integrated way.ﾠ
Students will develop capacities to appreciate the nature of the arguments used in policy analysis and debate, including the role of expertise and science alongside the role of values and ideologies.
Students will have opportunities to develop their skills in critical analysis, by closely examining some examples of policy or regulation.ﾠ ﾠ
Where possible, eminent scholars from across UQ and beyond may assist as visiting experts from time to time.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
Core course for second year of the PPE program.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Minimum 16 units from the BPPE(Hons) list
Restrictions
Restricted to students enrolled in the BPPE(Hons)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Brian Head
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The course comprises weekly lecture-seminar classes.
ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to the nature of contemporary policy analysis and debate.
'Policy analysis' is here understood as inherently inter-disciplinary, combining knowledge of economic, social, technological, environmental and political processes.
The courseﾠapproaches policy analysisﾠthrough three strands:ﾠﾠ
- understanding the basis for the diverse understandings of modern policy problems;
- developing a capacity to understand how public policies are debated and decidedﾠin relation toﾠmajor social, economic and environmental issues;
- developing a capacity to analyse and evaluate selected policy problems and solutions.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the basis for diverse approaches to understanding modern social, economic and environmental policy problems.
LO2.
Understand how public policy decisions are made on important issues.
LO3.
Critically analyse and evaluate selected policy problems and solutions and suggest evidence-informed improvements.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique | Analysis of policy problem framing (800 words) | 20% |
16/08/2024 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Analysis of a policy "solution" (800 words) | 20% |
13/09/2024 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Research Essay (3500 words) | 40% |
25/10/2024 5:00 pm |
| Participation/ Student contribution | Class participation and discussion | 20% |
22/07/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
Assessment details
Analysis of policy problem framing (800 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
16/08/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
TASK: Select a specific policy “problem” and demonstrate how it has been 'framed', interpreted or constructed
(You may focus on a substantial policy document, or policy proposal, or a wider policy debate. Please relate your analysis to the conceptual literature on problem/policy framing [such as Carol Bacchi (2009) or BG Peters article (2005)].
Example: Imagine that there has been a policy debate about whether ONLINE BETTING is a problem and whether it therefore should be tolerated, encouraged, regulated or banned.
Your task would be to 'unpack' how a government policy assumes a particular view of the problem; or how different groups might interpret the policy problem from different perspectives.
Some might regard all betting as morally offensive and as exploitation of vulnerable people. Others might regard betting as a personal choice and consistent with personal freedom and responsibility, and thus not a 'problem' requiring regulation. Some might regard the advertising of betting opportunities as inappropriate for children. Others might argue that online betting is deeply problematic because it is controlled by international corporations. These (and other) positions tend to be linked to different attitudes towards this powerful and growing industry. Some may want to ban specific forms of betting and advertising; others may want to protect children; some may focus on protecting gambling addicts and vulnerable families. Others might take a 'laissez-faire' attitude and regard it as a normal investment opportunity in a market society or as a harmless recreation activity.
Remember: this is not an exercise in 'solving' the problem - it is an exercise in delineating how a problem has been characterised, and whether these interpretations reveal a narrow or comprehensive understanding of the problem.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Analysis of a policy "solution" (800 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
13/09/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
TASK: Select a policy solution [or framework for solving a problem] and analyse this solution in terms of whether it has been a success or failure or a mixed result. Please relate your answer to the literature on criteria for assessing success and failure, such as the various writings of Alan McConnell and/or the work of Leutjens and t'Hart.
Example: Select a policy example where the government has been actively pursuing a particular "policy solution" for some time (perhaps in conjunction with other partners).
There are many examples that could be selected, ranging from PPPs in transport infrastructure, to offshore immigration control, to renewable energy, to pandemic response, etc.
The underlying challenge is to think analytically about assessing the extent of success or failure. What would be some useful criteria? - for example, some criteria would be political (e.g. electoral popularity and community support). Other criteria would relate to the competence and reliability of the program itself (e.g. administrative efficiency, collaborative capacity). And other criteria might focus on actual outcomes or benefits (e.g. were services improved, were the promised results delivered?). It is likely you will need to use several criteria. And what if the results are mixed or 'grey'? Having decided on some criteria, apply them to a brief analysis of the chosen 'policy solution'.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Research Essay (3500 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The topic for the Research Essay is as follows:
"Can complex policy problems be tackled effectively? Discuss in relation to a selected problem-area."
[Students may negotiate small variations on the above stated topic where necessary.]
Your choice of a suitable policy example must be discussed and approved. The course convenor will also speak individually with each student about plans for analysing the selected policy problem-area, including the choice of relevant conceptual and empirical literature.
Many examples of wicked and complex policy issues are discussed throughout the course. You should select a policy issue that is complex, contested, and also 'researchable'.
Please discuss your preferred example with the convenor before embarking on detailed work. Topics should be finalised in conversation with the convenor by Week 10.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Class participation and discussion
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 25/10/2024
Task description
Students are expected to participate in group discussions during the classes.
Group discussions will focus both on core concepts/frameworks and their application to real-world problems and policies.
Assessment tasks will also be workshopped in class.
20 marks are available for active participation, based on attendance in up to 10 of the 12 seminars.
Students with a reasonable excuse for non-attendance may request a substitute activity, such as providing a very brief commentary on a course reading.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: None of the above criteria will have been met. This student will not have addressed the question, shown no or very little evidence of reading and minimal comprehension of the issues at hand. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student addresses the assessment tasks poorly and shows very little evidence of reading. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student has made an effort across assessments but falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student makes a reasonable effort and produces a coherent body of work, relevant to the disciplinary field including evidence of reading and independent thought communicated relatively clearly. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade reflects a student that has got the basics right across the assessment criteria. They will have an adequate level of knowledge of the course content, the ability to read and communicate readings and some critical analytical skills. They will also have the capacity to develop arguments but this will remain limited. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students in this category will be good performers across the marking criteria. They will have the ability to think and work independently and to produce work which contains arguments, critical analysis and well researched evidence. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A student in this category will have shown an impressive performance across all the marking criteria. They will have the ability to produce original work which reflects a sophisticated degree of critical thinking and novel argumentation. They will have excellent written and oral communication skills. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be awarded on the following basis:
1.ﾠFailﾠ 1 - 19%
2. Failﾠ 20 - 44%
3. Failﾠ 45 49%
4. Passﾠ 50 - 64 %
5. Creditﾠ 65 - 74 %
6. Distinctionﾠ 75 - 84 %
7. High Distinctionﾠ 85 - 100 %
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Word Length Penalty
Unless otherwise indicated, in the case of written submissions with a specified word count, you are given a +10% leeway on the upper word limit. If your written submission is over this leeway limit, it will attract a 10 percentage point penalty. For example, if your essay is 1,500 words, you may write up to 1,650 before attracting a word count penalty. If your essay exceeds the upper word limit, it will attract a 10% word count penalty. Therefore, if your essay is worth 40 marks, you will lose 4 marks from your allotted grade. Unless specified, penalties only apply to exceeding the word length, not for failure to write a sufficient amount.
Students should note:
• The Author-date in-text referencing system will count toward the word length;
• References in the Footnote referencing system will not count toward the word length. If you are using footnotes, any content included in footnotes beyond the specific text reference will count towards the word length.
Marking Criteria/Rubric
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The weekly Topic folders in Blackboard provide more detailed reading suggestions, along with the lecture materials.
Essay Guide
The School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide can be downloaded from the School’s Student Support webpage.
The Guide sets out guidelines you should follow in preparing written assignments.
Essay Writing Assistance
The School of Political Science and International Studies schedules regular “drop-in” sessions designed to provide one-on-one advice and assistance in essay planning and writing.
There is no need to make an appointment and you are encouraged to bring your essay with you.
The day and time of these sessions will be finalized at the beginning of each semester and published on the Student Support webpage.
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills and thus your academic performance in this course.
Library Resources
UQ Library offers training in software, assignment writing, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Political Science and International Studies are primarily located in the Central Library.
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the BEL/HASS Librarians for assistance.
Email: librarians@library.uq.edu.au
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Seminar |
TOPIC 1 Introduction to the course themes. Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 2 Thinking about policy "problems" I: Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 3 Thinking about policy "problems" II: Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 4 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 5 Thinking about policy "problems" III: Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 6 Thinking about policy "solutions" I: Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 7 Thinking about policy "solutions" II: Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 8 Thinking about policy "solutions" III: Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 9 Thinking about policy "solutions" IV: Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Not Timetabled |
No class - MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 10 "Wicked and complex" policy problems and possible solutions I: Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 11 "Wicked and complex" policy problems and possible solutions II: We explore further cases of wicked problems Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Seminar |
TOPIC 12 "Wicked and complex" policy problems and possible solutions III: Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.