PL4003:04
Theory and Method in Public Policy
Townsville
HECS Band 1
26 hours seminars. Semester 1.
Available to Public Policy Honours Program students on recommendation of Course Convenor and relevant Head of School(s).
Staff: Assoc. Professor H Lesbirel and other staff.
This subject builds on earlier study and provides an advanced treatment of theories and methods of importance to the study of public policy. Emphasis will be attached to the tools of formal analysis and the development of a systematic approach for policy analysis and policy management. Topics will be selected in consultation with students and may include: market and government failure, the politics of collective action, institutional mechanisms, such as voting and agenda setting and cost-benefit analysis and other methodological tools for analysing policy. Attention will be paid to developing rigorous conceptual frameworks for the analysis of public policy. The relevance of these tools to current public policy issues will be emphasised throughout the seminars.
Learning Objectives:
- develop advanced research skills in public policy;
- develop frameworks for understanding policy analysis and policy management;
- provide more conceptual and methodological sophistication in policy research.
Assessment by a combination of research essay and seminar presentations, the respective weights to be determined after consultation with student.