JSB178 Policy Governance and Justice

Purpose/Learning Objectives:

The purpose of the Briefing Note is to build your skills in writing in the format of public service documentation and evaluating and succinctly stating informed positions in relation to a real world policy issue.

This assessment relates to Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4:

1. describe the policy cycle and prepare policy documents with a social justice orientation (Discipline Knowledge; Communication and Collaboration)
2. explain and analyse issues that relate to the development of policy in the Australian and Queensland governments (Discipline Knowledge; Professional Ethics; Critical Thinking and Basic Research Skills)
3. compare and contrast alternatives to establish whether they are effective or even valid policy options (Critical Thinking and Basic Research Skills; Problem Solving)

present logical arguments in the format of public service documentation using written communication skills, time management and independent working skills (Communication and Collaboration).

Task:

For this assessment you are required to write a briefing note in the format described below. The topic of the assessment will be announced in the lecture and posted on Blackboard.

The first two pages, the ‘body’, should engage the topic in the format of a briefing note. The third page is to be used as an appendix to describe in more detail the pros and cons of the option that you recommended in your briefing note. [see Template document on Assessment page of Blackboard]

Students should take note of the marking criteria for this assessment, as it is very specific to the style and form of the Briefing Note as well as the content.