Discipline/School details [HSA]
Public Policy – School of Government
The School of Government offers majors in two programs: Political Science and Public
Policy. Both programs are offered on the Hobart and Launceston campuses. Each major
shares two common first year (level 100) units and the two programs complement each
other in understanding and explaining politics and policy at all levels from the smallest
political community to the international system of states.
Public Policy is the study of government activity: the decisions and actions (or inactions)
undertaken by political institutions to deal with problems or issues.
Students may undertake: [i] a major program, or part thereof, in Public Policy in their
Bachelor of Arts course (taught at the Hobart and Launceston campuses); [ii] a major
program, or part thereof, in Public Policy in their Bachelor of Social Science (Police
Studies) course (taught at the Hobart and Launceston campuses); or [iii] a major
program, or part thereof, in Public Policy in their Bachelor of Social Science course (taught
at the Launceston campus only); or [iv] undertake units which count toward courses
offered by other faculties.
First year units are also offered via distance education.
The study of Public Policy is useful preparation for students planning careers in the public
and private sectors, community and non-government organisations, public relations,
policing, teaching, journalism and research. The program of study is relevant to students
who want to understand more about how to deal with, or operate within, complex
modern public sector organisations. Students undertaking courses in Commerce,
Economics, Law, Science or combined degrees will also find Public Policy units useful for
their professional development.
First year
Introduction to Government A (HSG101) and Introduction to Government B (HSG102) are
the two first year (level 100) units in the Public Policy program (they are also the first year
units in the Political Science program). These units are suitable for students who want a
general overview of government and politics to complement their studies in other
disciplines. They also provide a foundation for students who wish to proceed further in
Public Policy and completion of both is a prerequisite for a major in the discipline.
Second and third year
Second year (level 200) and third year (level 300) units address a range of issues and
themes including: the environment, the economy, social policy, antarctic and oceans
policy, political activism, and policing.
To complete a major in Public Policy for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students are
required to gain a minimum of 100% in Public Policy units, of which 25% will be obtained
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Discipline/School details [HSA]
at level 100 (HSG101 and HSG102) and the remaining 75% from units at levels 200 and
300, including at least 25% at level 300.
If Bachelor of Arts students wish to complete majors in both Public Policy and Political
Science they are required to: [i] complete a minimum of 100% in Public Policy (consisting
of 25% of level 100 units plus 75% of level 200 and 300 units, with at least 25% at level 300);
and [ii] a minimum of 100% in Political Science (consisting of 100% of level 200 and 300
units, with at least 25% at level 300), or vice versa.
To complete a major in Public Policy for the Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies)
degree, students are required to gain 125% in Public Policy units of which 25% will be
obtained at level 100 (HSG101 and HSG102) and 50% from units at level 200 and 50% from
units at level 300.
To complete a major in Public Policy for the Bachelor of Social Science degree, students
are required to gain 125% in Public Policy units of which 25% will be obtained at level 100
(HSG101 and HSG102) and 50% from units at level 200 and 50% from units at level 300.
Economics and Commerce students may enrol in HSD208/308 Business–Government
Relations without having completed either HSG101 Introduction to Government A or
HSG102 Introduction to Government B.
Students who commenced the major before 2001
Students who began their degree before 2001 and who wish to complete a major in Public
Policy are reminded that a major consists of sequential study in one discipline with a total
HECS weighting of 100% as detailed above.
Refer to page B-xx for further information on the changes to the BA.
Honours
The fourth year (level 400) Honours program provides a more advanced understanding of
current Public Policy theory and practice. The program is open to students who have
majored in Public Policy with a Grade-Point Average of 6.5 or higher. The Honours year
consists of specialised coursework units and a thesis, and introduces students to the skills
involved in independent research. The Honours program also provides a stepping stone to
master degree and PhD, as well as providing an additional qualification.
Postgraduate courses
The School of Government has a strong reputation for research and welcomes enquiries
from those seeking to undertake higher degree research (ie Master of Arts or Doctor of
Philosophy) in Public Policy and Political Science. For further information about these
courses, students should consult the relevant section of the Research Higher Degree
Handbook and contact the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator.
In addition, the School offers the following postgraduate coursework courses in Public
Policy at the Hobart Campus:
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Discipline/School details [HSA]
Graduate Certificate in Public Policy – Course code R5M
Graduate Diploma in Public Policy – Course code R6M
Master of Public Policy – Course code R7M
See page B-xx for course details.
Listed below are the units in these courses:
HSD418 Challenges to Governance (25%)
HSD412 Environmental Politics and Policy (25%)
HSD422 Leadership, Influence and Dispute Resolution (25%)
HSA434 Parliament in Society (25%)
HSD423 Participation and Public Policy (25%)
HSD421 Policy Development (25%)
HSD425 Policy Implementation and Evaluation (25%)
HSD701 Research Thesis (50%)
HSA431 Selected Topics in Australian Politics (25%)
HGA412 Social Research (25%)
The following is a summary of units offered in the Public
Policy program
Units offered in 2004
Unit code
unit title
weight
campus offered
Year 1 (level 100)
HSG101
Introduction to Government A
12.5%
HSG102
Introduction to Government B
12.5%
Hbt~1, Ltn~1,
dist.ed~3/1w
Hbt~2, Ltn~2,
dist.ed~2w
Year 2 (level 200) and Year 3 (level 300)
1
2
3
The School reserves the right not to offer any level
200/300 units which do not attract a minimum
enrolment, or which cannot be offered due to staff
leave or movements.
Students may not enrol in units which substantially
repeat other units, or units which they have
previously passed.
Many units are offered on two or three year cycles. If
a unit is not offered this year, then it may be offered
next year or the year after. Check unit details for
confirmation or contact the School.
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Discipline/School details [HSA]
Semester 1
HSD205/305
HSD230/330
HSD242/342
HSD243/343
HSG206/306
Policing and Governance
Australian Environmental Policy
Antarctic and Oceans Policy
Understanding Public Policy
Special Topic in Government
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~3/1/2,
Ltn~3/1/2
HSD223/323
HSG200/300
HSG205/305
HSG206/306
Regional Development Policy
Approaches to Political Analysis
Re-inventing Governance
Special Topic in Government
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
HSG207/307
Third World Development Politics
12.5%
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
Hbt~2, Ltn~2v
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
Hbt~3/1/2,
Ltn~3/1/2
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
Contemporary Issues in Government
Special Topic in Government
12.5%
12.5%
Semester 2
Semester 3
HSG201/301
HSG206/306
[na]
Hbt~3/1/2,
Ltn~3/1/2
Not offered in 2004
Unit code
HSD207/307
HSD208/308
HSD227/327
HSD229/329
HSD231/331
HSD239/339
HSD240/340
HSD241/341
HSG202/302
HSG203/303
HSG204/304
unit title
Sex, Drugs and Toxic Waste: Risk and Regulation
Business–Government Relations
Media Policy
Global Environmental Policy
Social Policy in Welfare States
Asian Environmental Justice
Women and Public Policy
Global Political Economy
Political Activism: Local to Global
International Cooperation
Building Blocs: Economic Regionalism
weight
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
campus offered
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
weight
campus offered
Cross-listed units
Unit code
unit title
Units from the following list can be counted towards a major in Public Policy. The prerequisite for all units
listed below is 25% in level 100 Public Policy.
HGA203/303
Social and Political Research
12.5%
Ltn~1, Hbt~1
HGA204/304
Survey Research
12.5%
[na]
HGA236/336
Understanding Organisations
12.5%
[na]
HSA240/340
Australian Foreign Policy
12.5%
[na]
HSA241/341
Australian Political Institutions
12.5%
[na]
HSA260/360
Tasmanian Politics and Australian Federalism
12.5%
Hbt~2, Ltn~2v
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science course should refer to the course details
on page B-xx.
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