Program Overview

POIR3060 - Policy Making in a Global Era

Unit Description

The study of public policy has traditionally been focused on the nation-state, and policy-making activities at the domestic level. However, national policy-makers are increasingly focused on international policy challenges. Using a series of detailed case studies, this unit reflects critically on debates around globalisation and the state. The unit introduces students to the policy process and explores the impact of international institutions, interests, and ideas on domestic policy-making. The unit examines direct and indirect, coercive and voluntary mechanisms of policy transfer, diffusion, and mobility, as well as the factors that shape patterns of intergovernmental cooperation and coordination.

Unit Details

• Offered by: Macquarie School of Social Sciences
• Unit level: 3000
• Grading requirement: Graded
• Credit points: 10

Offerings

• Session 1, Fully online/virtual
• Session 1, Special circumstances
• Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Requisites

Pre-requisite

• 130cp at 1000 level or above OR (20cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units at 2000 level)

NCCW (pre-2020 units)

• INTS301, INTS303, POL306

NCCW (2020 and onwards)

• POIX3060

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the various theoretical perspectives on the impact of globalisation on the role of the State.
2. Describe the policy-making process and identify points at which international factors impact on domestic policy capacity.
3. Explain the roles played by institutions and actors, both domestic and international, in the policy process.
4. Describe the various mechanisms through which policy is transferred from one jurisdiction to another.
5. Locate, assess, and analyse relevant evidence and information related to public policy in the national and international spheres.

Assessments

Research essay

• Type: Essay
• Weighting: 50
• Hurdle task? No

Participation

• Type: Participatory task
• Weighting: 30
• Hurdle task? No

Class Tests

• Type: Quiz/Test
• Weighting: 20
• Hurdle task? No

Learning and Teaching Activities

Scheduled learning activities

• Tutorial (on campus): 1 hour tutorial, applicable to Session 1-Weekday-North Ryde
• Lecture (online): Online lectures available on echo360, applicable to Session 1-Special
• Tutorial (online): 1-hour zoom tutorials, applicable to Session 1-Special
• Lecture (on campus): Weekly 2-hour lecture, applicable to Session 1-Weekday-North Ryde