The course, will give participants a practical orientation to a major and vital area of public administration. It provides them with an insight into the major frameworks and issues of federalism and public administration relevant to the practice of intergovernmental management. While particular attention will be paid to the federal context, including its formal and informal institutions, fiscal federalism, and the vertical and horizontal settings for intergovernmental management, the issues we will explore here will be of wider theoretical and practical value, including for those working on intergovernmental relations in non-federal systems. 

 

This course focuses on the daily workplace challenges of interjurisdictional problem solving under conditions of uncertainty and complexity, and how public servants contribute to the stability and resilience of intergovernmental frameworks, on the one hand, and adjustment and change on the other. The course provides participants with an opportunity to develop their insight into the range of issues, interests, strategies and ideas they are likely to encounter in their intergovernmental work, and how and why these perspectives and frameworks have emerged. 

 

The course considers a range of policy instruments and approaches that can be adopted in intergovernmental management, including practical matters on the day to day management of policy-related functions and processes. Participants will come away with an insight into their personal, characteristic approach to intergovernmental matters, how this approach is embedded in federal structures and cultures, and the opportunities, costs and benefits of alternative approaches. Participants will be challenged to examine their own practice and preferred style of working in this context.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the relevant structures, processes and practices of intergovernmental management and the objectives and issues that underpin those structures.
2. Gain a deeper understanding of the range of perspectives that are at play in intergovernmental bargaining and negotiation, including those of other jurisdictions and stakeholders.
3. Develop strategies as intergovernmental managers at the interpersonal, interorganisational and interjurisdictional levels
4. Use that understanding to develop their own role as policy entrepreneurs and change agents.

Research-Led Teaching

The convenor conducts research on federalism and particularly local government and the course will draw selectively on research to advance teaching.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Session 1: Introducing intergovernmental management and multi-level governance
2	Session 2: The institutional framework of Australian federalism and the craft of intergovernmental management	Quiz
3	Session 3: Reforming federalism and the implications for intergovernmental management - comparative perspectives	Presentation and reflection
4		Research essay due 22 December

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Quiz	20 %	03/12/2024	05/12/2024	1, 2
Presentation and Reflection	30 %	10/12/2024	17/12/2024	1, 2, 3
1500-Word Research Essay	50 %	22/12/2024	13/01/2025	2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz

Details: The quiz is an opportunity to relate learning from session 1 and 2 of the course. This assessment task requires students to answer a series of multiple choice and short-answer questions on the key concepts of federalism and intergovernmental management.

Value: 20%

Assessment Task 2

Presentation and Reflection

Details: The presentation will enable students to work together in small teams to present a contemporary case study on an interjurisdictional policy area of their choice, examining the relevant

governance structures and processes of intergovernmental management involved.

In the presentation students will: 

1. Work in a small group (which will be allocated in session 1 of the course) and prepare and deliver a presentation of 15 minutes + 5 minutes for Q&A.
2. (i) identify and examine a contemporary case of interjurisdictional policy coordination, outlining the relevant background, governance structures, and processes of intergovernmental management involved; (ii) apply at least one concept or framework drawn from session 1 or 2 of the course (including required readings) to guide the analysis; and (iii) identify at least 2 practical constraints and opportunities for cross-jurisdictional problem-solving.
3. Submit an individual 500-word scholarly reflection on the key policy lessons they learned through researching this case study. 

Value: 30% (presentation 25% and reflection 5%).

The presentations will be scheduled for session 3. Students must submit their individual 500-word reflection at the same time.

Assessment Task 3

1500-Word Research Essay

Details: The research essay gives students an opportunity to research and critically reflect on their practice as intergovernmental managers, drawing on a recent intergovernmental policy or challenge of their choice and suggesting areas of possible reform.

In the research essay students will:

1. Write a 1500-word essay critically examining a recent intergovernmental policy or challenge (excluding references/reference list).
2. Research and synthesise relevant scholarly and practitioner literature.
3. Identify an evaluation framework of at least two criteria (conceptual and/or practitioner-based) to assess the policy or challenge.
4. Set out at least one justified recommendation for ameliorating the challenge

Value: 50%.

The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students