This course explores how different publics engage in aspects of public policy. Taught through six intensive interactive seminars, students consider diverse practices of participatory governance as well as the politics that community consultation and citizen engagement can generate. Seminars explore questions such as: What does meaningful citizen participation in public policy look like in an era of 24/7 news cycles and social media? How do citizens themselves seek to voice their concerns and exert influence on the policy process? What happens when their interests are mis-represented, misunderstood or ignored?
Practical attempts at participatory policy making and citizen-led governance are examined and critiqued.?Through applied examples and case studies, students reflect on how democratic ideals, such as inclusion, participation, representation and legitimacy may be realised in contemporary governance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of key terms, concepts and ideas on citizen engagement and public talk in public policy.
- Critically engage with relevant practical and theoretical literature on the design and politics of citizen engagement and public talk in public policy.
- Engage and facilitate informed discussions on the practice, politics and challenges of engaging citizens in public policy.
- Critically analyse participatory forms of policy making drawing connections between theory and practice.
- Display the ability to think independently, develop informed perspectives and persuasively communicate in the field of public policy.
Indicative Assessment
- Quiz (15) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Participatory Design Pitch (group mark) (class presentation) (30) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Design Reflection Paper (individual mark), 1200 words (not including refs) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Case Study (individual mark), 2000 words (not including refs) (35) [LO 1,2,4,5]
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
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None. Please see Wattle site for list of readings.
Preliminary Reading
Fung, A. (2006). Democratizing the Policy Process. The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy. M. Moran, M. Rein and R. E. Goodin. Oxford, Oxford University Press.: 669-685.
Nabatchi, T., J. Gastil, G. M. Weiksner and M. Leighninger, Eds. (2012). Democracy in Motion: Evaluating the Practice and Impact of Deliberative Civic Engagement. New York, Oxford University Press.
Hendriks, C. M., & Dzur, A. W. (2022). Citizens’ governance spaces: democratic action through disruptive collective problem-solving. Political Studies, 70(3), 680-700.
Stewart, J. (2009). The Dilemmas of Engagement: the role of consultation in governance. Canberra, Australia and New Zealand School of Government and ANU E-Press.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
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.