Public Policy Analysis
UndergraduateMUR-POL2462025
Course information for 2025 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,125
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Public Policy Analysis
About this subject
On successful completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of how public policy is developed;
- Articulate a critical understanding of the principal concepts and conceptual tools appropriate to public policy and public policy analysis;
- Analyse the impact of a particular policy or policy recommendation;
- Identify and solve public policy problems;
- Undertake public policy research; and
- Communicate clearly and coherently both orally and in writing.
- Topic 1: Introduction – How to Study Public Policy
- Topic 2: Policy Theory, Models, and Policy Actors
- Topic 3: Problem Definition
- Topic 4: Agenda Setting
- Topic 5: Options Analysis
- Independent Study Week
- Topic 6: Policy Advice
- Topic 7: Decision Making
- Independent Study Week
- Topic 8: Non-Decision Making
- Topic 9: Implementation and Policy Instruments
- Topic 10: Policy Coalitions and the Media
- Topic 11: Policy Change and Policy Learning
- Topic 12: Summary and Exam Review
Why do some problems come to the attention of governments while others do not? Who is involved in the policy-making process? Pressure groups, media, think tanks; what are their goals? How are policies evaluated? Theoretical explanations are combined with practical examples from Australia and overseas to provide students with a critical understanding of how policy is made. The subject also equips students with the main conceptual tools for analysing the impact of a policy or policy recommendation.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
- Scoping Paper (25%)
- Briefing paper (40%)
- Invigilated Exam (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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