James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

Bachelor of Public Policy

Townsville, Cairns

The local, regional and national need for trained policy analysts and public managers is growing as public policy problems become more complex and controversial. Special skills are required in designing government programs to address these problems. Professionals with training in policy analysis and policy management are able to break down highly complex problems into more manageable issues and to specify the objectives to be achieved. Trained policy analysts are also well suited for coordinating the contributions of specialised technicians into coherent and effective policy alternatives. Finally, individuals with professionally-oriented training in policy analysis and public management are ideally equipped to implement successful cost-effective programs.

level 1

CORE SUBJECTS
CO1002:03 Contemporary Accounting Principles and Systems 1 (Sem 1 and 2, Townsville; Sem 1, Cairns)
EC1005:03 Economics for Business 1 (Sem 1)
LA1007:03 Legal Research and Analysis (Sem 1)
PL1001:03 Comparative Politics: Making Sense of a Puzzling World (Sem 1)
SY1001:03 Introduction to Sociology (Sem 1)
ELECTIVES
A minimum of 9 units from an approved policy elective or from the Master Schedule.
Note 1: Students are expected to be confident in their basic communication, information technology and numeracy skills in order to undertake subsequent subjects in the degree. Students not confident in these skills are encouraged to undertake the appropriate generic skills subject(s), preferably in their first year eg EL1010:03, EL1100:03, CP1030:03, SS1103:03, TH1200:03.
Note 2: Over levels 1 to 3, students, in consultation with the course convenor, select an approved policy elective. These will include a range of options in selected policy arenas, discipline, or other programs. Further details about subjects comprising these electives are available from the course convenor and the Faculty Office and at www.foss.jcu.edu.au/homepages/publicpolicy/index.htm.

level 2

CORE SUBJECTS
CO2611:03 Applied Financial Management (Sem 1)
PL2002:04 Policy Analysis and Management (Sem 2)
PL2294:04 Public Administration and Intergovernment Relations (Sem 2)
WS2020:04 Working Across Cultures (Sem 2)
ELECTIVES
9 units from an approved policy elective or from the Master Schedule.

level 3

CORE SUBJECTS
MG3774:04 Strategic Management (Sem 2)
PL3291:06 Australian Public Policy and Politics (Sem 1)
SS3011:04 Fundamentals of Social Research Methods (Sem 1)
ELECTIVES
10 units from an approved policy elective or from the Master Schedule.

level 4

CORE SUBJECTS
PL4003:04 Theory and Method in Public Policy (Sem 1)
PL4202:12 Public Policy Honours (Thesis) (Full year)
or  
PL4203:12 Public Policy Honours (Internship) (Full year)
ELECTIVES
Students select 8 level 4 Honours units from the Master Schedule in consultation with the Course Coordinator and relevant School(s) and approved by the Executive Dean of the faculty.