Handbook home
Political Psychology (POLS30034)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
January
Overview
Availability | January |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Why do people vote the way they do? How do elites make decisions when faced with foreign policy crises? Is emotion a positive or negative force in politics? What factors lead to political participation? Why did just about everyone fail to predict the global financial crisis? Political psychology helps answer questions such as these. In exploring such questions this subject will explore the personalities, thought processes, emotions, motivations and political behaviour of citizens and elites. We will trace the early roots of political psychology such as psychobiography. We will also explore the real world applications of political psychology such as how the Obama election campaign mobilised voters using the findings from political psychology, as well as how the Behavioural Insights Team influenced policy-making in Britain.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- understand broad findings from psychology (and other related disciplines) and be able to apply them to political science questions;
- understand different approaches to political psychology and the associated research methods;
- demonstrate an understanding of the causal antecedents of cognition and political behaviour;
- be able to synthesise and articulate arguments in different settings, including in class;
- understand the role political psychology can play in policy development and regulation.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Levels 1 & 2
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 reflective essay of 1000 words (25%) due at the end of January.
- An in-class practical exercises totalling 1000 words (25%) due during the intensive teaching period.
- A policy brief or research essay of 2000 words (50%) due in March.
- Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, lecture and tutorial attendance is compulsory on all 5 teaching days. Regular participation in class is required. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
- 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
- January
Principal coordinator Aaron Martin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 30 contact hours. This intensive subject will be scheduled over five consecutive days in January. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 15 January 2018 to 19 January 2018 Last self-enrol date 16 January 2018 Census date 2 February 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 March 2018 Assessment period ends 30 March 2018 January contact information
Time commitment details
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 the intensive teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Politics and International Studies - 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.
Last updated: 3 November 2022