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Australian Politics:Democracy & Justice (POLS40002)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
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This subject will investigate how Australian constitutional democracy has been structured and how it has defined and developed citizenship and protected human rights. To address these issues students will investigate questions such as, How was Australian democracy institutionalised, and how are those institutions coping today? Is Australia's federalism dysfunctional and what should be done to fix it? How have Australia's traditions of citizenship and human rights been conceptualised and implemented? How are citizenship and human rights connected with broader issues of democracy and constitutional structure? Does Australia need to reconceptualise and reform its regimes for citizenship and human rights? What is social justice? How should governments ensure appropriate social and economic entitlements? Students should gain a critical understanding of contemporary issues concerning Australian democracy, citizenship, individual and group rights, social justice, Aboriginal self-determination, the impact of globalisation and treaty making, women's rights, multiculturalism and immigration.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- have developed skills in analysing and explaining key developments in Australian politics relating to institutional design, citizenship and protection rights;
- be familiar with different methods and approaches for studying Australian politics;
- have an understanding of the main developments in Australian politics in this area, including their historical background and contemporary context;
- be informed of key current issues facing Australian politics and their likely impact on public policy.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
- be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
- be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A review essay of 750 words (15%) due early in semester.
- A group project equivalent to 1250 words (25%) due late in semester.
- A research paper of 3000 words (60%) due in the examination period.
- Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in class is required.
- Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Adam Berryman Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022