Politics, Policy and Impact

Unit code:ECE4006Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

Footscray Nicholson
Online Real Time
VU Brisbane
VU Sydney

Prerequisites

(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

In this unit students will examine the relationships between politics, policy and impact, in their chosen area. Students will analyse the role of advocacy, agency and power dynamics in influencing and implementing policy. Students learn how to proactively manage the impact of politics and policy on their professional identity and practice. As policy is normally written in the context of a community of thought, students will undertake all assessments in this unit in small groups or pairs. Part of the learning in this unit involves negotiating their role and the roles of others within these working groups. Students will be supported through this process.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Diagnose opportunities to influence policy through advocacy;
Propose how to exercise agency in shaping and implementing policy;
Analyse policies in a way that thoughtfully considers power dynamics;
Reflect on the impact of politics and policy on their professional identity and practice.