POGO8041 Values in Rural Policy
| Offered By | Policy & Governance |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | Policy and Governance |
| Offered in | POGO8041 will not be offered in 2009 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
David Easton famously wrote in 1953 that "politics is the authoritative allocation of values". The rural policy arena is one in which many competing values are constantly at play: economic, social and environmental values all influence policy settings. Decision makers responsible for rural policy are confronted with conflicting perspectives on a daily basis and have to make sense of the competing messages they are receiving from farmers, environmentalists, free trade advocates and consumers. Many of the major policy challenges facing governments in the twenty-first century are questions of rural policy. Concerns about water management, climate change, land degradation, biofuels, genetically modified organisms and food security are all essentially rural issues. How governments address these issues will have an important impact on rural industries and their associated communities as well as broader nation economies. Within a framework of considering policy as a values-balancing enterprise, the course will discuss the changing nature of rural areas in Australia and other countries and the elements of rural policy developed in response to these challenges. It will explore how rural policy fits with national economic, social and environmental objectives and how different political systems develop differing responses to similar problems. It will also discuss how these domestic policy considerations interact with international policy concerns. |
| Learning Outcomes |
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the skills and knowledge to understand the policy process through the lens of competing values in the policy process. The first assignment will ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the key concepts underlying the course and the peer review exercise associated with the major essay will strengthen student's critical essay writing skills |
| Indicative Assessment |
The assessment comprises a short assignment which explores the theoretical underpinnings of the course (25%), a major essay (55%) in which the students apply these ideas to a policy case study of their choice and a peer review exercise (20%) associated with the major essay.
|
| Workload |
32 contact hours Approx 12 hours reading plus essay preparation |
| Course Classification(s) | SpecialistSpecialist courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide for the acquisition of specialist skills; or 'second degree' and higher level of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs; or knowledge associated with professional accreditation. |
| Areas of Interest | Policy Studies |
| Prescribed Texts | To be advised. |
| Programs | Master of Public Policy |
| Other Information |
Delivery Mode:
Semester 2 - Intensive delivery over six days spread over a five week period.
|
| Academic Contact | Dr Linda Botterill |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.
