Public Policy (2024)

Public Policy is available as a minor.

To complete Public Policy as a minor, students must gain 60 points in Public Policy, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must include POLSC102, POLCY212 and POLCY318.

On this page

• Prescriptions for the GradCert(PP) and GradDip(PP)
• Prescriptions for the PGCert(PP), PGDip(PP), BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc
• 100 Level
• 200 Level
• 300 Level
• 500 Level

• Prescriptions for the GradCert(PP) and GradDip(PP)

  A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Public Policy at an advanced level in their first degree.

  For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

• Prescriptions for the PGCert(PP), PGDip(PP), BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc

  To complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy, students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including POLSC501, and a further 60 points from the papers listed for Public Policy.

  To complete a BSocSc(Hons) in Public Policy, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally POLSC591), POLSC501, and a further 60 points from the papers listed for Public Policy. Students will be permitted to substitute a maximum of 30 points with papers from another subject or subjects.

  To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MSocSc in Public Policy, a student must have completed either:

  a) a BSocSc with a major in Public Policy (or equivalent) with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or

  b) a BSocSc(Hons) in Public Policy (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division), or a PGDip in Public Policy (or equivalent) with at least a B average, and

  c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.

  Completion requirements for the MSocSc in Public Policy vary according to admission criteria:

  Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MSocSc. Within the 180 points students must also complete ALPSS500, POLSC501 and POLSC537.

  Students admitted under b) above must complete 120 points including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MSocSc.

• 100 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  POLSC102	New Zealand Politics and Policy	15.0	24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga)
  This paper provides a foundation for the study of political science and public policy, with a particular focus on the study of government, politics and policy in New Zealand.
  POLSC103	Introduction to Political Psychology	15.0	24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga)
  Politics affects every aspect of our lives. This paper is an introduction to understanding political behaviour, helping you become more critically aware of your own role as citizen.
  SOCPY100	Introduction to Social Policy	15.0	24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga)
  This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other democratic societies.

• 200 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EDSOC200	Education and New Zealand Society	15.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper critically examines educational ideas and practices by considering philosophical, historical, political, socio-cultural and economic aspects. It examines how the interrelationships between education and society change over time.
  LEGAL201	Public Law	30.0	24D (Hamilton) & 24D (Tauranga)
  Part One examines the principles of constitutionalism and the framework of the New Zealand system of government. Part Two examines the exercise and control of executive power in New Zealand and the relationship between the state, its agencies and the individual.
  POLCY212	Public Policy Analysis	15.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing society's big problems, how they are framed and defined, and how solutions are developed and implemented within the context of the policy process.
  POLSC211	Political Systems around the World	15.0	24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online)
  The paper introduces the comparative study of political institutions, the study of the politics of a number of countries, their similarities and differences, from established democracies to authoritarian regimes.
  POLSC224	Terrorism, Violence and the State	15.0	No occurrences
  Terrorism is an increasingly prominent global phenomenon. We will clarify it conceptually and situate it historically with theory and case studies in situating it in comparative political and International Relations analysis.
  POLSC229	US Politics	15.0	24B (Online) & 24B (Tauranga)
  Students in this course explore the foundational elements of the United States, its governing institutions, the extent of public influence within the system, and major contemporary policy issues that the country faces.
  POPST201	Population Studies	15.0	24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Online)
  This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding of the demographic drivers of population change and composition, while exploring some of the rich theories and methodological approaches which comprise Population Studies.
  SOCPY200	Social Policy and Social Issues	15.0	24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga)
  The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social problems, such as poverty.

• 300 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  ALPSS390	Directed Study	15.0	24X (Hamilton)
  This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major or minor under the guidance of academic staff.
  ECONS307	Economics of Land, Water and Environment	15.0	24B (Hamilton)
  This paper provides students with a detailed understanding of the role of economic analysis in solving real world environmental problems including pollution, sustainable development, resource scarcity, and climate change.
  GNSEX303	Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities	15.0	24B (Hamilton)
  This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. It investigates micro and macro level experiences and the social construction of identities. In doing so, this paper looks at how power is distributed in society, the theories that...
  POLCY318	Global Environmental Politics and Policy	15.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political processes underpinning the search for cooperative solutions to environmental dilemmas, including climate change.
  POLSC301	Visual Communication: Politics, Propaganda, Protest	15.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper introduces students to the power of visual communication. The theoretical knowledge gained is applicable to politics and beyond.
  SOCPY300	Applied Social Policy	15.0	24B (Online)
  This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and extended to enhance opportunities for employment in the social policy field.

• 500 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  ALPSS590	Directed Study	30.0	24X (Hamilton)
  This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
  ALPSS591	Research Project	30.0	24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
  A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
  ALPSS592	Dissertation	60.0	24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
  A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
  POLSC501	Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice	30.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is developing critical awareness of policy processes, of the drivers of change, and of the role of both 'evidence' and public participation in policy-making, in the pursuit of inclusive ...
  POLSC537	Environmental Politics and Public Policy	30.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on environmental policy making. A significant focus of the paper is on analysing and understanding the complex intersections of institutions, culture, science and technology, and systems of ...
  POLSC592	Dissertation	60.0	24X (Hamilton)
  A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
  POLSC593	Political Science Thesis	90.0	24X (Hamilton)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
  POPST501	Population Health and Equity	30.0	24A (Hamilton)
  This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It introduces aspects of epidemiology, considers historical, indigenous and contemporary perspectives of health, and explores relationships between health, community and society.