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Crawford School of Public Policy · ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy
On-campus & online learning available. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2026 class dates: Feb 23, 27; Mar 23, 27. The ability to influence and persuade is a key skill for policymakers and public managers, used when presenting advice to Ministers and Secretaries, influencing a group in a meeting, and building support with stakeholders. This subject provides a practical introduction to persuasion, exploring both classical and contemporary theories and ideas. It draws on the art of rhetoric and the fields of social psychology, communication and management. Students will be introduced to the key concepts and tools underpinning persuasion and learn how to influence, build rapport and trust. The use of persuasion will be explored in a range of scenarios at the individual and group level through case study analysis and practice-based tasks which will develop students’ hands-on skills.
Persuasive summary of course reading (500 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3
Policy problem and proposal: in-class oral presentation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Policy problem and proposal: written submission and analysis (1,500 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
The standard workload for a 3 unit course is 65 hours including independent study. Other Information This is taught as an intensive mode course and students are also be expected to undertake reading and preparation prior to the first class.
There is no set text for the subject. The following texts are recommended for those interested in background reading. Cairney, P. (2021). The Politics of Policy Analysis (1st ed.). Springer International Publishing AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66122-9 Stone, D. A. (2012). Policy paradox?: the art of political decision making (3rd ed.). W.W. Norton & Co. Cialdini, R. (2009). Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. HarperCollins, US.