GOVT4603: Semester 2, 2025

Units GOVT4603 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

GOVT4603: Wicked Problems and Policy Innovation

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Students have encountered the study of public policy and administration in theory as well as practice. This unit builds on, and challenges, their understanding by looking at wicked problems: those that are multi-dimensional, multi-scalar, and inter-disciplinary. It encourages them to engage deeply with the challenges of contemporary policy-making. Because the topics are "wicked", the approach to them will be flipped so that rather than going from the general to the specific, the reverse will be the case. Students will be challenged to take what appears to be a simple problem, but as it is a sub-set of a broader and more complex set of issues, to go from a narrow to broad conception of it.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	24 credit points at 3000-level in Politics and International Relations stream, including GOVT3601 and a minimum of 126 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	David Blunt, david.blunt@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Robert Macneil, robert.macneil@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Conversation	Discussion Boards / Seminar participation 10 Discussion Boards posts & weekly participation in seminar.	20%	Ongoing	1000wd equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Experimental design	Essay Proposal Essay Proposal	35%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59	1500 Words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Essay Research Essay	45%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 13:56	2000 Words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submissions will be assessed a late penalty of 5% per day.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Week 1: Course Overview & Introduction	Block teaching (2 hr)
Week 02	Week 2: The ‘Super-Wicked’ Problem: Why is climate change so hard to govern?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 03	Week 3: The Politics of Public Opinion: Why do we disagree about climate change?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 04	Week 4: National Climate Governance: What makes a state good or bad at climate policy?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 05	Week 5: Climate Politics in Australia: Why is Australia so uniquely bad on climate?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 06	Week 6: Climate Politics in the Global South: How have developing countries responded?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 07	Week 7: International Climate Governance: Can the international system govern climate?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 08	Week 8: Climate Capitalism: Can capitalism and corporations solve the crisis?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 09	Week 9: Climate Engineering: An insane experiment, or a basic necessity?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 10	Week 10: Climate Security: Should we ‘securitise’ climate change?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 11	Week 11: Climate Justice: Will we get this right?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 12	Week 12: The Climate Movement: Is the movement on the right track?	Block teaching (3 hr)
Week 13	Week 13: Conclusions: Hope & despair	Block teaching (3 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. Introduce the key theoretical debates about the causes and consequences of wicked problems in public policy.
LO2. Develop an understanding of the theory and practice of governing wicked problems in the context of a wide range of other social, political, economic, cultural, environmental, technological, justice, security, and geopolitical issues.

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 is the first time this unit has been offered.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links