This course forms part of the pre-sessional program which prepares students for high performance in their Crawford School degrees. The aim of this course is to expose students to some of the key concepts and analytical tools in the fields of public policy (which includes social policy and political analysis). This course ensures that all students are brought to the same level, and focuses on achieving an intuitive understanding of public policy as a discipline.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Articulate key concepts in the study of public policy
2. Understand the significance of evidence, values and interests in public policy
3. Undertake demanding postgraduate courses in public policy and governance
4. Apply critical and analytical skills to their study of public policy

Research-Led Teaching

In each session the teaching will draw on aspects of the guest lecturer(s) and lecturer's research.

Field Trips

No fieldwork

Additional Course Costs

No additional class costs

Examination Material or equipment

No examination material required.

Required Resources

Readings and other learning resources will be provided in course Wattle site.

Recommended Resources

Readings and other learning resources will be provided in course Wattle site.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Understanding Public PolicyTuesday, 17 June 2025, 2-4pm AEST, in-person or via Zoom	Before this session students should engage in the set resources for Seminar 1
2	Enacting Public PolicyThursday, 19 June 2025, 2-4pm AEST, in-person or via Zoom	Before this session students should engage in the set resources for Seminar 2
3	Engaging in Public PolicyMonday, 23 June 2025, 2-4pm AEST, in-person or via Zoom	Before this session students should engage in the set resources for Seminar 3
4	Governing Public PolicyTuesday, 24 June 2025, 2-4pm AEST, in-person or via Zoom	Before this session students should engage in the set resources for Seminar 4
5	Knowledge and Evidence in Public PolicyThursday, 26 June 2025, 2-4pm AEST, in-person or via Zoom	Before this session students should engage in the set resources for Seminar 5

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflective Papers	80 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Learning Statement and Degree Plan	20 %	17/07/2025	31/07/2025	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend all sessions of POGO7901 either in person or online.

Examination(s)

No examinations.

Assessment Task 1

Reflective Papers

Students are required to complete four reflective papers on Wattle, each worth 20%.

Each paper has to be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 300 words. The ANU College of Asia & the Pacific's Word Limit and Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item. Before completing each paper, students should read and engage in the set materials for the relevant seminar.

This assessment task is designed for you to reflect on your background, previous experiences and understandings about public policy, and to relate these to what you're learning in each seminar (from seminar 2 onwards). You are encouraged to reflect on how your ideas, thinking and/or understanding about a concept, topic and/or issue in public policy have or have not changed as a result of what you're learning in this PSP course. Each reflective paper should therefore be evaluative and analytical and address the following questions:

(i). What have you learnt from the seminar readings and/or seminar discussions - what was new, or did you find most interesting and why?

(ii). What was your previous understanding of the public policy concept, topic and/or issue?

(iii). Why does this insight matter for you? How might it inform future practice or learning?

(iv). What questions do you have and would like to learn more about?

Students are required to complete the paper AFTER Seminars 2,3,4 and 5 (there is none for Day 1). Please note that the reflective papers are due by midnight (12 midnight Canberra time). The return dates will be within 5 working days after the due date. 

Assessment Task 2

Learning Statement and Degree Plan

20%

This task allows students to plan their degree journey through their time at the Crawford School, giving them an important opportunity to structure their learning across their entire degree program. The course convenor and Crawford Degrees team will review submitted plans to provide feedback on course choices and options.

Students are required to:

• provide 250-300 word statement of their learning goals and expectations; and
• complete a Degree Plan (which involves mapping out the courses they intend to take over the expected duration of their degree). The Plan requires students to complete a ‘Degree Plan Template’ (downloaded from Wattle) by following the planning guidelines for their particular degree (MPP, MPA).

Further instructions will be provided to students on Wattle and in class.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students