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Australian Politics (POLS10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Australia is one of the world’s oldest liberal democracies. This subject is an introduction to Australian politics with an emphasis on what makes Australia unique and how its democratic institutions have developed over time. The subject concentrates on formal political institutions, including the constitution, parliament, the executive, the bureaucracy, federalism and the High Court. But it also examines the role of political parties, the Australian electoral system, voters and voting behaviour, lobby groups, social movements and the media. We consider the benefits and limitations of the Australian political system in the face of major policy challenges such as climate change, asylum seekers, gun control, marriage equality and economic crisis.
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: 27 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: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written Assignment
| First half of the teaching period | 10% |
Take home - Assignment
| Late in the teaching period | 40% |
Research Essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
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. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
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: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Jessica Megarry 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 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 27 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:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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: 27 April 2024