Handbook home
Comparative Politics (POLS20023)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to comparative politics. There are many different aspects of and approaches to comparative politics, but all agree that it involves comparing at least two - and often many more - units of political analysis (e.g. countries, types of political system, electoral systems, areas of policy). The subject is divided into three basic components, each including case studies. The first component introduces the comparative method and classical approaches to comparative politics as we discuss political ideologies and regimes. The second component explores political actors and systems, and the key institutional differences between countries, such as federalism and electoral systems, and their effects. Finally, the course applies the concepts and methods to focus in on key themes and contemporary challenges such as ethnic conflict, state failure, political culture, democratisation and economic development.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Demonstrate familiarity and critical engagement with key concepts, themes and contemporary challenges in the sub-field of political science known as comparative politics;
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of discrete concepts, themes and contemporary challenges within comparative politics;
- Develop a broad understanding of the main types of political regimes, actors and systems existing in the contemporary world;
- Recognise the problems involved in comparing countries and cultures, and the solutions that have been devised to address these challenges;
- Develop skills in comparative analysis and evaluation;
- Develop the ability to critically evaluate different sources of research in the development of an argument;
- Work productively and collaboratively in groups.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Level 1
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Tutorial participation and contribution | Throughout the semester | 10% |
An essay
| Mid semester | 45% |
A take home exam (3 days)
| During the examination period | 45% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order 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: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Michael Breen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week for 10 weeks. The Lecture and Tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Subject notes
Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Minor Politics and International Studies minor Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Major Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) 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 (Production)
- 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: 11 April 2024