Fundamentals of Public Policy

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
POLI 5003
Course ID icon
Course ID
204561
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Society and Culture
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Andrew Skuse
Course level icon
Course level
5
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course will provide students with an understanding of how the process of policy making works in practice and how governments decide which policies to pursue or avoid. Students will gain an understanding of important theories of public policy. Through analysing how ideas and institutions shape public policy, students will have the opportunity to search for solutions to real-world policy problems. Students will gain an understanding of the essential elements of policy development: from how policy is formed to how policy can be evaluated. A strong focus of this course is on equipping students to communicate public policy to diverse audiences.

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand theories of public policy and their applicability today and into the future
  • Understand, analyse and apply different approaches and contexts of policy formulation, implementation and evaluation
  • Understand the limitations of public policy and develop skills in proposing alternative policy approaches

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 03/07/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Mon 29/06/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Tue 07/07/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 10/07/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 42045
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
1 Jul - 8 Jul Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Horace Lamb, 422
Class number
Class number 42044
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 69
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
30 Jun - 7 Jul Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Horace Lamb, 422

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed POLICY7001 Fundamentals of Public Policy at the University of Adelaide

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.