Master of Politics and Policy

2017 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2017 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2017 course information
Award granted	Master of Politics and Policy
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from 2017. If you require a course map from a previous year, please contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	1-2 years full time or part time equivalent depending on your entry point
Deakin course code	A729
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Quality Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

This course focuses on the development, implementation and politics of public policy.

Explore our role as citizens in the Australian community, the nature of diverse ideologies and the close relations between government, the private sector and community organisations.

The focus on democratic governance within contemporary contexts characterised by rapid change and globalisation distinguishes this course from traditional public policy studies.

The Master of Politics and Policy emphasises a dual focus on politics and public policy and offers a wide range of core units and elective units to appeal to public sector, business, NGO and community sector managers and leaders, and those wishing to acquire new skills.

Core units explore public policy analysis frameworks, the development and implementation of public policy under conditions of democratic governance, governance and accountability, skills building in evaluation, and corporate social responsibility.

You’ll undertake practical training focused on the relations between government, the private sector and community organisations, and between different levels of government.

Alternative exits

Research information

Students will undertake research training and complete a research project in one of the three following options:

one credit points of research training in research design, and a one credit point research project;
two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a two credit point research project; or
two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a four credit point research project developed in consultation with a supervisor from the relevant discipline

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Use advanced knowledge of, and expert, specialized cognitive skills in Politics and Policy in professional practice or scholarship and apply this knowledge and skills to different contexts. Gain an advanced understanding of Public policy analysis frameworks and the development and implementation of public policy under conditions of democratic governance and accountability within contemporary contexts characterised by rapid change and globalization
Communication	Acquire communication skills to design, evaluate analyse and disseminate the findings of research that deploys political concepts, theories and technical knowledge, in a selection of written, digital and oral formats, to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Digital literacy	Employ a range of generic and specialist politics-specific digital communication technologies to apply political knowledge, to conduct political research, and to deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of specialist and non-specialist audience.
Critical thinking	Analyse and critically evaluate different interpretations of political phenomena. Demonstrate mastery of the research methods used to investigate political phenomena and technical skills in the design, evaluation, analysis of developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship in governance and policy.
Problem solving	Utilize advanced understanding of the process of government and public sector management in professional practice and/or scholarship to generate approaches and solutions to complex problems of politics and governance. Demonstrate advanced skills in investigating and analyzing complex political phenomena using qualitative methodologies including textual, discursive and historical analysis, process tracing, and ethnographic techniques.
Self-management	Demonstrate the application of skills and knowledge in Politics and Policy with high level personal autonomy, responsibility, accountability in situations of professional practice and/or for further learning.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively with others in the field of political science and from different disciplines and backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for one’s own learning.
Global citizenship	Analyse and address political issues in both domestic and global contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards.
Approved by Faculty Board October 2015

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Master of Politics and Policy, a student must successfully complete 16 credit points of study comprising:

4 credit points of compulsory core units; and
12 credit points of study combining research and elective units in one of the following configurations:

Option 1: Dissertation

2 credit points of research training (AIX706, plus one of AIX707 or AIX708)
4 credit points of research project (AIX702, AIX703)
6 credit points of electives

Option 2: Research Paper

2 credit points of research training (AIX706, plus one of AIX707 or AIX708)
2 credit points of independent research project (AIX704, AIX705)
8 credit points of electives

Option 3: Research Project

1 credit point of research training (AIX706)
1 credit point independent research project (AIX701)
10 credit points of electives