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Unit of study_

EDPA6018: Social Policy Process

2025 unit information

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

Managing faculty or University school:

Arts and Social Sciences

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

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.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal evening Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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