Public Administration and Public Policy papers analyse and evaluate how national, regional and local institutions of the state formulate and implement policies. Political Science papers present a range of methodologies and perspectives. Some papers are primarily historical, some use one or more of the methodologies of the social sciences, and others are philosphical. Many are comparative, looking at the institutions and policies of more than one country. Our courses offer a variety of perspectives - liberal, social democratic, conservative, Marxist, international, domestic, national, feminist and bicultural.
Many papers focus on topical issues and contempory events.
An understanding of political processes and theory, and current political events, is invaluable to many kinds of career. Our graduates are employed in a wide variety of fields, but especially in areas relating to government, policy formulation, and the media. Many Political Science graduates are employed by non-government organisations which seek to influence public policy. Their work often focuses on policy development and advocacy. They discuss theories of organisation, decision-making and administration, public management, and how public officials work and interact with both the public and the political executive.