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Unit outline_

HPOL5009: Health Policy Project

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit students undertake an independent project in which they develop a complete proposal for a policy to be implemented in the real world. This unit is a capstone project that builds on the skills developed in HPOL5008. Students will choose a policy project, which can be drawn from their work experience or identified with the assistance of their academic mentor, and must be approved by the Unit Coordinator. By the conclusion of the project, students will have developed a complete policy document including: a clearly articulated policy problem; an appraisal of relevant evidence and possible options; identification of an appropriate policy solution; an analysis of the environment in which the policy will be introduced; and a plan for implementation and evaluation. The project will be presented at the final student workshop or online via recorded video. By the end of this unit students will be able to: Identify and articulate a problem that is amenable to a policy solution; Identify factors and stakeholders supporting and resisting policy change, and strategies required to facilitate adoption of policy change; Identify policy options and advocate for a policy solutions; Develop a clear plan for policy implementation, evaluation and funding; Effectively research, write and communicate a new policy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
HPOL5003 and HPOL5008
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Samantha Rowbotham, samantha.rowbotham@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Gai Moore, gabriel.moore@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Written detailed policy proposal
Written assessment
70% Formal exam period 5000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Presentation
Presentation
0% Week -01 3 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Abstract
Written assessment
0% Week 02 250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5
Assignment Detailed draft proposal
Written assessment
10% Week 07 1000-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Presentation of the policy proposal
Presentation
20% Week 10 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Extensive draft of policy proposal
Written assessment
0% Week 13 4000-5000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined in marking rubrics for individual assessments.

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.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Familiarise yourself with the documents under ‘Getting Started,’ ‘Unit Outline,’ Assessment, and Timetable on Canvas, including Supervisory expectations; Policy checklist; How you will be assessed. Independent study (1 hr)  
Attend Workshop 1 where you will present your policy problem/issue and work through a series of tasks to develop skills in identifying problems and formulating policy solutions Workshop (6 hr) LO1 LO3
Prepare a presentation on a policy problem/issue that you would like to address with your policy proposal (see Assessments) Independent study (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 01 You will be allocated your supervisor this week – please make contact with your supervisor to discuss your abstract (see Assessments) Independent study (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 Prepare abstract on policy problem/issue you would like to address with your policy proposal (see Assessments) Independent study (5 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Work independently on your policy project, taking into account supervisor feedback. Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Listen to the online lecture: Policy implementation Online class (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Work independently on your policy project Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Listen to the online lecture: Evaluation of Policy Online class (1 hr) LO4
Work independently on your policy project Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Listen to online lecture: Planning and costing policy implementation Online class (1 hr) LO4
Work independently on your policy project - prepare detailed policy proposal outline (see Assessments) Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Work independently on your policy project, contacting supervisor as needed Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Listen to the online briefing: Making excellent presentations to policy makers Online class (1 hr) LO5
Work independently on your policy project Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Work independently on your policy project - prepare presentation of your policy proposal Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Attend Workshop 2 where you will present your policy proposal and work through a series of tasks to develop skills in writing a policy proposal Workshop (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Work independently on your policy project, incorporating feedback from presentation. Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Read ‘Guidelines on writing an Executive Summary’ and ‘Guidelines on writing a policy brief’ resources Independent study (1 hr) LO5
Work independently on your policy project - prepare your draft policy proposal (see Assessments) Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Work independently on your policy project Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 14 (STUVAC) Work independently on your policy project Independent study (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

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.

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

  • LO1. Identify and articulate a problem that is amenable to a policy solution;
  • LO2. Identify factors and stakeholders supporting and resisting policy change, and strategies required to facilitate adoption of policy change
  • LO3. Identify policy options and advocate for a policy solution
  • LO4. Develop a clear plan for policy implementation, evaluation and funding
  • LO5. Effectively research, write and communicate a new policy

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

In response to feedback, we have removed the online webinars and have added some additional resources to support students in developing their policy proposal

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

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.