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Australian Politics (POLS10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 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 is an introduction to contemporary Australian politics with an emphasis on what makes Australia unique and with an assessment of how democratic institutions have developed over time. In addition to examining the formal political system, we will also be debating the role of citizenship and participation in Australian political culture. So while dealing with institution arrangements such as parliament, the executive, the bureaucracy, policy-making, federalism and the High Court, we will also look at citizens’ activism, in social movements as well as in political parties, and examine key theoretical arguments and political ideologies. The subject is based on the proposition that politics is important because it is how we shape our future.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- understand key foundations and critical concepts in the discipline of political science;
- demonstrate a detailed and critical understanding of the institutions of Australian democracy;
- develop an understanding of competing interpretations of political ideologies, ideas and arguments about the role of citizens in a democracy;
- demonstrate the ability to engage critically and insightfully in contemporary political debates;
- demonstrate the development of skills in critical analysis and evaluation as applied to Australian politics;
- demonstrate the ability to argue a considered position in oral and written presentations;
- work respectfully and productively in small and large groups with other students.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A draft discussion paper of 500 words (10%) due in week 4 of the semester.
- A critical reflective essay of 2000 words (35%) which will incorporate the draft above, due in week 8 of the semester.
- A take-home short essay assignment totalling 2000 words (35%) due during the examination period.
- The remaining 20% of total marks are (provisionally) assigned to student engagement in the subject, and this involves a fourth assessment task. It consists of the student group designing and running a political exercise to make a decision on whether this 20% will, or will not, be assigned to assessment of student engagement in tutorials and in this larger decision-making process.
- Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials 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: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator John Murphy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 Contact Hours: 2 x one hour lectures and 1 x one hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks. No tutorials in Week 1. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Fenna, A., Robbins, J. & Summers, J. (eds) Government and Politics in Australia Melbourne, Pearson, 2014
- Subject notes
Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Politics and International Studies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024