69363 Shaping Policies for the Future
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Public policy in the form of laws, regulations, and guidelines has a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals. As with any decision-making process in the public sphere, the formulation of public policies is complex and depends on a variety of scientific, economic, social, and political forces.
This subject develops students’ critical understanding of the theories and practices behind developing some of the most influential evidence-based science policies, from climate change mitigation to population-level vaccination initiatives.
This subject also provides an overview of the regulatory frameworks and governing bodies which influence the field of science and are relied on in Australian and global contexts.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Appreciate the influence public policy has on the health and wellbeing of people and the environment. |
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| 2. | Critically analyse the established scientific theories and practices that underpin evidence-based policies. |
| 3. | Develop an integrated understanding of how science interplays with economic, social, environmental, and political influences during policy development |
| 4. | Identify relevant regulatory frameworks and governing bodies in Australian and global contexts |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise and apply advanced skills and knowledge to contribute to professional practice, leadership and scholarship relevant to medical science contexts. (1.1)
- Develop, prepare, and engage in work and leadership practices adhering to health and safety requirements, ethical conduct, risk management, organisation, and governance or regulatory requirements in the context of medical science. (3.1)
- Reflexively determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information and engage with abstract concepts to derive innovative solutions to complex medical science problems. (4.1)
- Independently and collaboratively present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual and digital) to communicate with discipline experts, health and medical professionals, consumers, scientists, industry, and the community. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE
- The complexities of developing and implementing public policy will learned through pre-recorded videos, interviews and set readings. You will learn the legal, ethical and practical complexities that influence the development of public poiicy. Case studies will introduce you to important issues in public policy and the role that scientists can play.
3. PROFESSIONAL, ETHICAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Participation in public policy is sure to include reports, papers, presentations and robust discussions with others. Written assignments, will develop your skills in written communication and develop your argument style.Your public speaking and presentation skills will be developed in the production of a video presentation on a public policy process of your own chosing. Giving and receiving feedback is encouraged, and you will have the opportunity to learn the intricacies of this skill.
- Hearing from industry and academic experts will expand your understanding of how scientific practices contribute to policy. A range of contemporary examples will consider social and economic perspectives as factors in policy development. .
- Your understanding of how science interacts with society will be learned through a videos and set reading on important public policy dabates.
4. REFLECTION, INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
- As science professional you will often be asked to identify emerging environmental issues and propose solutions to environmental problems. You will develop this skill by preparing written assessments and a video presentation on a policy development process of your own chosing. In written assessments you will identify a policy process, explain it's importance and develop a formal submission. In a video presentation you will explain the process, the key issues and important stakeholders.
5. COMMUNICATION
- A range of activities have been designed to assist you in excelling in various communication formats. In written assessments you will present complex information and critique key issues. Marks are given in compliance with standard writing conventions, grammar and spelling, for the originality of your perspective, your ability to synthesize and critique information, the construction of your arguments, and the relevance of the evidence you have gathered, articulated in clear marking criteria.
- Verbal communication skills will be developed in a your video presentation. You will be required to synthesize information and explain complex concepts clearly.
Teaching and learning strategies
Shaping Policies for the Future is designed as a completely online educational experience that students can take at their own pace. Students explore real-world public policy development through a range of rich interactive content and media. Students will examine real-world policy development through relevant case studies in peer-connected learning activities, including discussion boards, aimed at building the required skills and knowledge in a collaborative online environment. This will include pre-recorded video presentations, interviews and pre-set readings.
Assessments are designed to complement student learning and provides students with the opportunity to apply and track their skills development as well as their understanding of key concepts. Students will receive formative feedback on their work throughout the session.
Content (topics)
You will learn about approaches to policy development in the context of society. We begin by looking at the complex factors contributing to decision making and how this impacts on choice of management approaches. We learn about relevant legislative and regulatory environments and the actors involved in decision making. We investigate how science contributes to decision making and critically evaluate underpinning scientific research. We also analyse case studies that highlight the complex factors influencing policy development. Throughout the subject, you will learn about policy development and implementation in context of the Australia of today – you will learn about the technical (scientific) dimensions of policy making, and equally, the importance of understanding the role society plays on scientific inquiry and action.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Select and reflect on policy process
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | In this assessment you will identify a current or recent policy review process to which you will produce a submission in your subsequent assessment tasks. This policy review process may be directly relevant to your current or desired career and you will reflect upon how choosing this review process will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to further your career. You will prepare a written report explaining the policy process and how participation will help advance your career. The detailed assessment criteria are available on Canvas, which will be used for marking the reports and provides details on how this assessment achieves the graduate attributes. This means that you must access the criteria required before you begin the assessment.
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Assessment task 2: Video presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | You will prepare a video presentation on the policy process selected in assessment task. In this video presentation you will explain they key issues involved, identify the major stakeholders and explain the details of the process. This video presentation will be posted in canvas and you will receive feedback from our peers. You will also provide feedback and comment upon presentations by your peers. The detailed assessment criteria are also available in Canvas, which will be used for marking the reports and provides details on how this assessment achieves the graduate attributes. This means that you must access the criteria required before you begin the assessment. |
Assessment task 3: Policy submission
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Criteria: | In this task you will use the knowledge and feedback gained from assessment tasks 1 and 2 to produce a submission to a current or recent policy review process. The detailed assessment criteria are available on Canvas, which will be used for marking the reports and provides details on how this assessment achieves the graduate attributes. This means that you must access the criteria required before you begin the assessment.
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Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject, you must obtain an overall mark of 50% or more.