POLITICS 757 Comparative Public Policy - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

A comparative examination of policy actors, processes and outcomes. Engaging with a range of conceptual and methodological approaches, the course considers how we might explain and understand cross-national similarities and differences in policy-making and policy outcomes. The course focuses on the relative importance of interests, institutions and ideas at the national level, as well as international contexts and actors that facilitate diffusion and transfer of policy across countries.

Course Overview

Comparative public policy is a subfield of policy studies which engages in comparison across different systems and institutions, usually countries, but sometimes within a single country over time. In this course we ask questions about how, why, and to what effect different governments pursue different or similar policies. In doing so we learn about the different, and sometimes contested, methods for analysis and the various theoretical approaches utilised by comparative public policy scholars. We focus on the extent to which variation in institutional design, interest group and other actor-centric networks, political culture and ideas, as well as international actors and conventions, have an impact on policy choices governments take, and the outcomes that result. We then apply these understandings to the methods and processes associated with policy transfer and lesson drawing cross-nationally. You will have an opportunity to engage in a critical analysis of the comparative logic, methods and data (Assignment 1), and a lesson drawing exercise on a policy topic of your choice (Assignment 3).

In addition to your weekly readings, there will be a range of online and in class activities that you will be asked to undertake in this course. Some weeks you will spend more time on discussions and assignments than in other weeks, where the workload will be somewhat less. It is essential that you keep up with the prescribed readings and weekly discussions, engage with your lecturer and peers on discussion boards and complete all assignment tasks in a timely manner. I encourage you to attempt all activities and assignments throughout the course. This will assist in reinforcing the learning objectives for each module and help you to self-diagnose your progress. It will also give you an accurate point of reference when seeking help from your lecturer.

To succeed in this course, you will need to read and engage with the learning materials in each module, and be prepared to ask questions and participate in discussions. This approach is designed to encourage active rather than passive learning. For effective learning of complex material, students who engage and take responsibility for their own development of knowledge and acquisition of skill are likely to perform well.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of of the role and influence of key actors (domestic and international), ideas, institutions in relation to policy processes and outcomes; (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3 and 4.2)
Critically analyse the various methodological approaches used to explain cross national similarities and differences in policy programmes and outcomes; (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
Show linkages between theory and practice through cross national comparative policy analysis in the form of a lesson drawing exercise; (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.3)
Discuss and debate critical questions and research ideas in a way that is supportive and tolerant, and recognises diverse cultural perspectives, both online and in class. (Capability 1.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
Demonstrate articulate and professional written and oral communication skills through the completion of the range of assessment exercises. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2)
Communicate effectively and inclusively with peers to present sophisticated arguments on a selected topics via online discussion boards and in the classroom. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Essay	30%	Individual Coursework
Discussions	10%	Group & Individual Coursework
Coursework	10%	Group & Individual Coursework
Presentation	10%	Individual Coursework
Essay	40%	Individual Coursework
5 types	100%

Assignment 1: Comparative Methods Briefing, 1500 words

Due Wednesday 9th September (mid-semester break)

Assignment 2: Class Participation and Online Activities

In-class participation and activities 10%

Online activities and peer group work 10%

Due: throughout the semester

Assignment 3: Cross-national lesson drawing research essay (two components: Presentation and Essay)

1. Presentation:

In class Design Poster and Presentation of Lesson Drawing Plan; (this is a preparatory exercise for your final assignment)

Due Friday 9 October (Week 9).

A3 poster and 5 minute oral presentation) (10%, equivalent to 500 words)

2. Research Essay.

Lesson drawing exercise

For submission Monday 26 October (week 12).

2500 words (40%)

Next offered

Semester 2, 2021

Learning Resources

There is no prescribed text for this course. All essential and/or additional readings will be provided in each relevant module.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Over the course of this semester, you can expect 30 hours of seminars, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 50 hours of work on assignments.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity
Capability 6:	Social and Environmental Responsibilities

POLITICS 757 : Comparative Public Policy

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)