Key Debates in Political Science 2 (POLS40025)
HonoursPoints: 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.
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 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This is an Honours reading seminar that examines key theoretical and methodological texts in political science. The subject is designed to provide preparation for writing an Honours thesis while also enabling the consolidation, broadening and enhancement of students’ knowledge of the discipline. Theoretical texts are critically examined in relation to political debates, case studies and empirical scholarship. Alongside its companion subject, Key Debates in Political Science 1, this subject will reflect the breadth of the discipline of political science, with a focus on identifying, distinguishing and relating key sub-disciplines and trans-disciplinary theoretical debates in politics and international studies. This second iteration of Key Debates in Political Science is divided into two parts. The first half is devoted to examining key concepts, theories, methods and problems in International Relations while the second half focuses on key theoretical, methodological and political debates in public policy, normative theory, and political science in general. Students completing the subject will have a robust understanding of what characterises the contemporary scholarly terrain of the discipline, and where their own research interests are located.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject students should:
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the broad set of foundational questions in the discipline of Politics and International Studies
- Demonstrate a deeper knowledge and understanding of some of the key sub-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary debates in political science and relate these to the contemporary world of politics
- Demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that can identify different methods of inquiry and research in academic scholarship and evaluate their intellectual and ethical merits
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of core concepts in International Relations, such as order, power, and justice, and how they are understood by different theoretical perspectives
- Be able to relate and compare the major approaches to understanding politics and appreciate their different strengths and weaknesses
- Be able to communicate coherently, concisely and effectively in writing
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLS40024 | Key Debates in Political Science 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 3 November 2022
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 |
|---|---|---|
Research Essay. Please note this assessment includes a hurdle, students will submit an outline of their research essay, due mid-semester.
| During the examination period | 100% |
| Hurdle requirement: Hurdle requirement: Students must submit a draft/outline of the research essay. Due mid-semester. 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. 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. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Robyn Eckersley Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: a 2 hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Last updated: 3 November 2022