This course acknowledges that public administration is fundamentally a legal construct, with organisations as a vital core. Accordingly, the course introduces students to the foundations of public administration in terms of legal frameworks and the structure and operation of organisations formally and informally -- from theoretical, practical and comparative perspectives embracing constitutionalism, institutionalism, administrative decision-making, and bureaucratic politics. Particular emphasis is placed on the power, responsibilities, strategies and review of organisations, as shaped and constrained by legal and quasi-legal instruments and processes. The legal-organisational alignments involved are critical in ensuring the efficacy and integrity of public action in the state, market and civil society in accordance with the rule of law.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- to understand the nature and significance of public administration in terms of its legal and organisational foundations;
- to use theoretical, practical and comparative perspectives concerning these foundations as analytical lenses for guiding and informing an analysis of the legal, structural and operational arrangements of organisations;
- to appreciate the nature and complexities of these arrangements in various governmental systems; and
- to address ways in which the legal and organisational foundations of public administration could be transformed in a particular arena of public action.
Indicative Assessment
- Case response (I) (20) [LO null]
- Case response (II) (50) [LO null]
- Written discussion concerning group project (5) [LO null]
- Group project presentation (25) [LO null]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
A standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including in-class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
See Wattle
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4110 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.