JSB380 Critical Policy Analysis
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSB380 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | JSB207 or JSB263 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,204 |
| International unit fee | $4,368 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB380 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | JSB207 or JSB263 |
| Coordinator: | Mark Lauchs | m.lauchs@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Critical policy analysis is an essential ability in the justice sector, and policies in this field have significant social consequences. It is imperative that those employed in areas connected to justice are equipped with the skills to critically interrogate policy evidence, impacts and implications. This unit will draw on important debates in contemporary policy (including Indigenous policy) to explore some important ways policy works - as a practical expression of government intentions, as a mechanism for social inclusion and exclusion, and as an expression of social and political relationships. This unit provides the opportunity for you to draw together the knowledge and skills you have developed in this area, and build on them, in order to hone and practice these capabilities.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically interrogate the policy implications (intended and unintended) of national and global justice systems, pertaining to marginalised Australian groups, including from Indigenous perspectives (CLOs 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 6.1, 6.2)
- Use critical policy skills to explore alternative responses (such as Indigenous perspectives) to policy dilemmas and problems for the real world (CLOs 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.3)
- Develop an evidence-based argument to persuade real world audiences of the impacts, alternatives, virtues and limitations of policy decisions (CLO 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.3)
- Articulate ideas and communicate professionally in oral and written formats, displaying strong literacy in government working documents and discourses(CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 5.3)
Content
The content of this unit is divided into the following modules:
- Module 1: Introduction to Critical Policy Analysis and Writing for Government
- Module 2: Current Policy Issues and Debates
- Module 3: Contemporary Indigenous Policy and Politics
Learning Approaches
All students will be able to access a two-hour workshop, either on campus or online. These workshops will also be recorded for students to access online throughout the semester. In addition, students will have access to a wide variety of materials including rich media and online learning activities on the Canvas site that will assist with their engagement of the unit. Online sessions will also be scheduled for online students to discuss the content of the unit/assessment throughout the semester.
The workshop format combines the traditional lecture-style delivery of content with the interactive features of a tutorial, such as collaborative activities, videos and group discussion. Students will be introduced to theory, context and key concepts for each topic, while activities and discussion will allow students to engage in active learning opportunities to scaffold and deepen their knowledge of the topics and skills related to policy and policy analysis. The workshops will be supported by readings, guest lectures and online video of experts from the field with a particular emphasis on engaging with Indigenous peoples and perspectives. Assessment items will provide students with an opportunity to develop key skills that will be required for pursuing a career in this field. The skills of reflection and critical analysis will be developed in this unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback on their assessment items throughout the semester.
Assessment
Overview
There are three different pieces of assessment for this unit, which comprise both formative and summative assessment and reflect the aims and objectives of the unit. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that you have both the necessary theoretical understanding and practical skills to undertake different forms of critical policy analysis.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Briefing Note
Students are required to write a two page briefing note on a policy issue for a real world (government or justice sector) audience in the professional format provided. Your briefing note must address policy impacts on Indigenous Australians.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Presentation
Building on your previous assessment task, you are asked to record and submit an oral presentation (video or audio only) for a professional audience (for example, a Centre Director or Minister). Your presentation must summarise your Briefing note, persuading your audience to adopt your recommended policy solution while remaining professional. Following your verbal briefing, you will draw on ideas from the unit to make a critical reflection on your proposal and the policy process.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Critical Policy Analysis
Students are required to draw on the skills and knowledge they have developed in the unit to write a critical policy analysis of a current policy issue that has an impact on Indigenous Australians.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Prescribed readings and other materials for review throughout the semester will be provided through QUT Readings.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | JSB380 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | JSB207 or JSB263 |
Overview
Critical policy analysis is an essential ability in the justice sector, and policies in this field have significant social consequences. It is imperative that those employed in areas connected to justice are equipped with the skills to critically interrogate policy evidence, impacts and implications. This unit will draw on important debates in contemporary policy (including Indigenous policy) to explore some important ways policy works - as a practical expression of government intentions, as a mechanism for social inclusion and exclusion, and as an expression of social and political relationships. This unit provides the opportunity for you to draw together the knowledge and skills you have developed in this area, and build on them, in order to hone and practice these capabilities.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically interrogate the policy implications (intended and unintended) of national and global justice systems, pertaining to marginalised Australian groups, including from Indigenous perspectives (CLOs 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 6.1, 6.2)
- Use critical policy skills to explore alternative responses (such as Indigenous perspectives) to policy dilemmas and problems for the real world (CLOs 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.3)
- Develop an evidence-based argument to persuade real world audiences of the impacts, alternatives, virtues and limitations of policy decisions (CLO 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.3)
- Articulate ideas and communicate professionally in oral and written formats, displaying strong literacy in government working documents and discourses(CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 5.3)
Content
The content of this unit is divided into the following modules:
- Module 1: Introduction to Critical Policy Analysis and Writing for Government
- Module 2: Current Policy Issues and Debates
- Module 3: Contemporary Indigenous Policy and Politics
Learning Approaches
All students will be able to access a two-hour workshop, either on campus or online. These workshops will also be recorded for students to access online throughout the semester. In addition, students will have access to a wide variety of materials including rich media and online learning activities on the Canvas site that will assist with their engagement of the unit. Online sessions will also be scheduled for online students to discuss the content of the unit/assessment throughout the semester.
The workshop format combines the traditional lecture-style delivery of content with the interactive features of a tutorial, such as collaborative activities, videos and group discussion. Students will be introduced to theory, context and key concepts for each topic, while activities and discussion will allow students to engage in active learning opportunities to scaffold and deepen their knowledge of the topics and skills related to policy and policy analysis. The workshops will be supported by readings, guest lectures and online video of experts from the field with a particular emphasis on engaging with Indigenous peoples and perspectives. Assessment items will provide students with an opportunity to develop key skills that will be required for pursuing a career in this field. The skills of reflection and critical analysis will be developed in this unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback on their assessment items throughout the semester.
Assessment
Overview
There are three different pieces of assessment for this unit, which comprise both formative and summative assessment and reflect the aims and objectives of the unit. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that you have both the necessary theoretical understanding and practical skills to undertake different forms of critical policy analysis.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Briefing Note
Students are required to write a two page briefing note on a policy issue for a real world (government or justice sector) audience in the professional format provided. Your briefing note must address policy impacts on Indigenous Australians.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Presentation
Building on your previous assessment task, you are asked to record and submit an oral presentation (video or audio only) for a professional audience (for example, a Centre Director or Minister). Your presentation must summarise your Briefing note, persuading your audience to adopt your recommended policy solution while remaining professional. Following your verbal briefing, you will draw on ideas from the unit to make a critical reflection on your proposal and the policy process.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Critical Policy Analysis
Students are required to draw on the skills and knowledge they have developed in the unit to write a critical policy analysis of a current policy issue that has an impact on Indigenous Australians.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Prescribed readings and other materials for review throughout the semester will be provided through QUT Readings.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.