PL5294 - Governing Australia

[Offered in odd-numbered years]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Arts & Social Sciences

This subject explores the political environment and institutional arrangements through which governments operate in Australia. It examines the role of the state and public sector, developments in public administration, and federalism. The subject focuses on ideas and processes of public sector change, including corporatisation and privatisation; competing models of service delivery; accountability and ethics in government. Emphasis is also given to intergovernment relations, including moves for systemic reform. The central theme addressed by the subject is the quality of Australian governance; the key problem is - what should government do?

Learning Outcomes

• understand the institutions, principles and values underpinning Australian governance;
• understand contemporary developments and issues in public sector management;
• acquire a sound knowledge of intergovernment relations in Australia;
• develop reserach and analytical skills pertinent to work in government;
• contribute to debate about public administration, the public sector, and accountability.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

PL2292 and PL2294 and PL3292 and PL3294

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Method of Delivery:	and WWW - LearnJCU and OtherPrinted materials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); assignments (60%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.