EDPA6018: Semester 2, 2023

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Units EDPA6018 Semester 2 2023 [Normal evening]

Unit of study_

EDPA6018: Social Policy Process

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

The world of policy is changing, from a centralised model to a decentralised one, in which you may be involved, at least at institutional level. Whether you work in the public, private, or third sector as an educator, social worker, civil servant or in another capacity, it is important to understand the changing world of policy. Another change that we examine is the rise of neo-liberalism and its effects on the policy process. Critics charge that policy is now framed with economic rather than social good in mind, and that the success of policies is measured by the same calculus. How is policy made, and by whom? How does Australian federalism influence the making and implementation of policy? What kinds of transnational influences affect the policy process, and to what extent? Do different countries respond to difference (class, ethnic, gender, age), in a world of increasing diversity, migration and mobility?

Unit details and rules

Unit code	EDPA6018
Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Susan Goodwin, susan.goodwin@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Presentation Oral presentation to class and written summary.	35%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes plus 1000 word summary
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Essay providing a critical analysis of a past or current NSW policy process	50%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2023 at 23:59	4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation Engagement in discussion and contributions to resources on weekly topics.	15%	Weekly	Weekly engagement.
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Presentation: The assessment involves conducting a presentation to your peers on one of the weekly topics, with reference to specific policy process examples. The presentation may take the format of a powerpoint presentation or a short speech. A written summary of the issues covered, with references, should be uploaded to the Canvas Discussion Board on the date of the Presentation. Presentation dates will be allocated in week 3.

Essay: The essay will develop a critical analysis of a past or current NSW social policy reform moment or initiative. The analysis will engage with the theoretical perspectives covered in the course and demonstrate detailed understanding of the substantive policy area and political dynamics.

Participation: Students will be assessed on their particiption in class exercises and online discussion of presentations and contributions (eg media stories) to the Online Policy Resource Folder.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Social Policy Processes: An Introduction to Policy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Theoretical Approaches to the Policy Process	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Policy Making Structures in Australia and NSW	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Tracing Policy Histories	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Can there be good policy? Part 1: Decolonising policy processes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Can there be good policy? Part 2: Participatory policy processes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Policy Processes in Practice: Making Higher Education Policy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Policy Processes in Practice: Making School Education Policy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Policy Making and Gender: Policies as Gendered and Gendering	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Policy Making and Race: Rethinking the 'neutrality' of Policy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Policy Making, Age and Ability: Inclusive Policy Processes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Policy Making and Place: Rural, Remote, Local and Urban differences	Seminar (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically analyse the politics of policy making and implementation, with different stakeholders, and competing rationales.
LO2. Map the interconnected nature of policy making in Australia
LO3. Identify the major theoretical approaches to the policy process.
LO4. Research the historical evolution and contemporary debates in relation to at least one specific area of social policy
LO5. Influence policy development through the development of policy writing and advocacy skills
LO6. Work individually to prepare and present a debate on a topic in class.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been changed to reflect student requests for coverage of contemporary policy issues.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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