JSQ166 How Government Works
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: | JSQ166 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 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 | $3,912 |
| International unit fee | $5,664 |
Unit Outline: Session 1 2026, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | JSQ166 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
Understanding how public policy operates within the Australian government and political system is important for anyone aiming to work in public policy. This unit explores the political ideas that shape policy, the intricacies of the Australian Constitution, and the functions of the High Court. It examines the structures and responsibilities of federal, state, territorial, and local governments, and the influence of political parties. Students will explore the duties of public officials, the ethics regime, and the impact of interest groups and stakeholders. Additionally, the unit covers the electoral process, voting systems, and the role of the press gallery and media scrutiny. This unit prepares you to navigate and influence the public policy landscape effectively.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse how the government addresses policy issues using the Westminster framework.
- Communicate professionally and strategically, leveraging technology to clarify complex information for political ministers.
- Critique the social and political implications of policies in an Australian framework.
- Discuss the ideological frameworks of political parties in Australia.
- Identify and discuss the views of stakeholders that are impactepd by policy implementation, including First Nations people.
Content
This unit covers the following:
- political ideas that influence policy
- Australian Constitution and the High Court
- federal, state, territorial and local government
- political parties in Australia
- the role of public officials, the ethics regime and professional communication leveraging technology
- interest groups and stakeholders, including First Nations
- elections, voting and First Nations representation
- press gallery, media and scrutiny
Learning Approaches
In this unit you will learn through engaging in the following:
- Online modules
- Online discussions
- Readings
- Online Learning Activities
- GenAI Prompt Engineering and Critical Analysis of AI Generated Output Practice Tasks
During the unit, you will be required to understand, critically reflect, analyse, synthesise and apply the presented concepts to your own practice.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
The following types of feedback will assist you to develop the knowledge and skills in this unit:
- Self-feedback in the form of online written reflections
- Peer feedback in the form of group discussion and online collaborative sessions
- Adaptive feedback in the form of online interactive learning activities and quizzes
- Teacher feedback in the online collaborative sessions, discussion boards, and written feedback on assessment
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit.
1. Verbal Briefing Exam - this task draws on concepts of political ideology and how governments work to tailor a ministerial brief on an emerging social issue.
2. Response to a 'Question on Notice' - this task introduces students to policy development and the need to balance political considerations while upholding the principles of responsible government.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Policy Explainer
This exam requires students to engage with contemporary policy issues using both course concepts and appropriate use of technology. Students will demonstrate their ability to design effective strategies for gathering background information, critically evaluate the material produced, and refine it into a clear, accurate, and professionally presented response.
Assessment: Response to 'Question on Notice'
You are a ministerial advisor who has been tasked with drafting a response to Question on Notice on a politically sensitive issue. You will draft your response and develop a justification that demonstrates how the response supports the Minister's agenda and manages potential political sensitivities. You will then write a reflection that shows how the response fulfils the requirements of ministerial accountability to Parliament in line with the principles of responsible government.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Additional readings and resource material will be provided during the course of the semester and made available through QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Jackson, S., Lelliott, J., Brincat, S., Bourne, J., & Economou, N. (2022). Australian Politics in the Twenty-First Century (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JQ23 Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance
- Discuss the role of policy development in supporting sustainable institutions and communities.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Policy Explainer, Response to 'Question on Notice' - Recognise and collaborate with a plurality of stakeholders and articulate diverse perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO5, Policy Explainer, Response to 'Question on Notice'
JQ45 Master of Justice
- Design approaches for working with a plurality of diverse stakeholders and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Relates to: ULO5, Response to 'Question on Notice' - Evaluate complex and sensitive problems of justice to inform evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Policy Explainer, Response to 'Question on Notice' - Apply a range of communication modes to professionally and strategically interpret and convey critical information to diverse stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO2, Policy Explainer - Examine how ethics, intersectionality and contextual factors converge to impact on and shape social justice issues.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Response to 'Question on Notice'
Unit Outline: Session 3 2026, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | JSQ166 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
Understanding how public policy operates within the Australian government and political system is important for anyone aiming to work in public policy. This unit explores the political ideas that shape policy, the intricacies of the Australian Constitution, and the functions of the High Court. It examines the structures and responsibilities of federal, state, territorial, and local governments, and the influence of political parties. Students will explore the duties of public officials, the ethics regime, and the impact of interest groups and stakeholders. Additionally, the unit covers the electoral process, voting systems, and the role of the press gallery and media scrutiny. This unit prepares you to navigate and influence the public policy landscape effectively.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse how the government addresses policy issues using the Westminster framework.
- Communicate professionally and strategically, leveraging technology to clarify complex information for political ministers.
- Critique the social and political implications of policies in an Australian framework.
- Discuss the ideological frameworks of political parties in Australia.
- Identify and discuss the views of stakeholders that are impactepd by policy implementation, including First Nations people.
Content
This unit covers the following:
- political ideas that influence policy
- Australian Constitution and the High Court
- federal, state, territorial and local government
- political parties in Australia
- the role of public officials, the ethics regime and professional communication leveraging technology
- interest groups and stakeholders, including First Nations
- elections, voting and First Nations representation
- press gallery, media and scrutiny
Learning Approaches
In this unit you will learn through engaging in the following:
- Online modules
- Online discussions
- Readings
- Online Learning Activities
- GenAI Prompt Engineering and Critical Analysis of AI Generated Output Practice Tasks
During the unit, you will be required to understand, critically reflect, analyse, synthesise and apply the presented concepts to your own practice.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
The following types of feedback will assist you to develop the knowledge and skills in this unit:
- Self-feedback in the form of online written reflections
- Peer feedback in the form of group discussion and online collaborative sessions
- Adaptive feedback in the form of online interactive learning activities and quizzes
- Teacher feedback in the online collaborative sessions, discussion boards, and written feedback on assessment
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit.
1. Verbal Briefing Exam - this task draws on concepts of political ideology and how governments work to tailor a ministerial brief on an emerging social issue.
2. Response to a 'Question on Notice' - this task introduces students to policy development and the need to balance political considerations while upholding the principles of responsible government.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Policy Explainer
This exam requires students to engage with contemporary policy issues using both course concepts and appropriate use of technology. Students will demonstrate their ability to design effective strategies for gathering background information, critically evaluate the material produced, and refine it into a clear, accurate, and professionally presented response.
Assessment: Response to 'Question on Notice'
You are a ministerial advisor who has been tasked with drafting a response to Question on Notice on a politically sensitive issue. You will draft your response and develop a justification that demonstrates how the response supports the Minister's agenda and manages potential political sensitivities. You will then write a reflection that shows how the response fulfils the requirements of ministerial accountability to Parliament in line with the principles of responsible government.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Additional readings and resource material will be provided during the course of the semester and made available through QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Jackson, S., Lelliott, J., Brincat, S., Bourne, J., & Economou, N. (2022). Australian Politics in the Twenty-First Century (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JQ23 Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance
- Discuss the role of policy development in supporting sustainable institutions and communities.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Policy Explainer, Response to 'Question on Notice' - Recognise and collaborate with a plurality of stakeholders and articulate diverse perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO5, Policy Explainer, Response to 'Question on Notice'
JQ45 Master of Justice
- Design approaches for working with a plurality of diverse stakeholders and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Relates to: ULO5, Response to 'Question on Notice' - Evaluate complex and sensitive problems of justice to inform evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Policy Explainer, Response to 'Question on Notice' - Apply a range of communication modes to professionally and strategically interpret and convey critical information to diverse stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO2, Policy Explainer - Examine how ethics, intersectionality and contextual factors converge to impact on and shape social justice issues.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Response to 'Question on Notice'