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 sub-field 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 critical analysis of comparative logics, methods and data (Assignment 1), and complete a research presentation (Assignment 3a) and an essay (Assignment 3b) involving lesson drawing on a policy topic of your choice.

In addition to your pre-seminar readings, there will be a range of online and in class activities that you will be asked to undertake in this course (Assignments 2). Some weeks you will spend more time on discussions and assignments than in other weeks. It is essential that you keep up with the prescribed readings, apply your learnings in our class discussions, and complete all assignment tasks in a timely manner.

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 in class. 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, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3 and 3.2)
Critically analyse the various methodological approaches used to explain cross national similarities and differences in policy programmes and outcomes; (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2 and 6.1)
Show linkages between theory and practice through cross national comparative policy analysis in the form of a lesson drawing exercise; (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.1)
Discuss and debate critical questions and research ideas in a way that is supportive and tolerant, and recognises diverse cultural perspectives (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
Demonstrate articulate and professional written and oral communication skills through the completion of the range of assessment exercises (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
Communicate effectively and inclusively with peers to present sophisticated arguments on a selected topics in the classroom. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Essay	30%	Individual Coursework
Presentation	10%	Individual Coursework
Essay	40%	Individual Coursework
Assignments	20%	Individual Coursework
4 types	100%

This course has a mix of assignments linked to achieved the outcomes above.

Assignment 1 is a review essay on cross national comparative approaches and methods (30%, 1500 words)

Assignment 2 is a mix of pre-class and in-class activities (20%) - the pre-class activities relate to your readings and will be unlocked at least one week before each class (equiv to approx 1000 words).

Assignment 3 is a mix of an in-class or online presentation (10%, equiv to around 500 words) and a research essay (40% 2500 words) designed to bring together your knowledge and application of policy lesson drawing.

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.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of in-class time over 12 weeks (equivalent to 2 hours per week), optional access to two group contact hours per week, and approximately 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments, quizzes, discussion preparation and essay writing.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including seminars to complete components of the course.
Seminars will be available as recordings after class via Canvas.

Other learning activities including drop-in sessions via zoom may become available as recordings.

The course may include optional live online events including group discussions around the time that assignments are due.

There is no exam in this course

The activities for the course are scheduled as block delivery (9-1pm, with breaks, seven times across the semester). This emulates the way professional development courses are delivered outside the university, including in parts of the public sector.

This course may available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023 although it will not be available via live zoom.

Learning 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.

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.

As a result of feedback to date we have enabled student success by sharing via Canvas examples of past assignments; we have also provided additional links to external sites that can assist with presenting online and displaying complex information via a "policy on a page".

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

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

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)