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Key Debates in Political Science 1 (POLS40024)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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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. Key texts across the sub-disciplines of political science are critically examined in relation to theory, method, current political debates, case studies and empirical scholarship.

Alongside its companion subject, Key Debates in Political Science 2, 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 iteration focuses on the foundational question: What is Politics? This sets up a larger debate about the proper subject and scope of political analysis, something examined through several major ways of trying to identify and examine politics.

The second half of the subject then examines how these issues play out in one of the core sub-disciplines of political science: political theory. Looking at the difference between liberal, critical and poststructuralist approaches to political theorizing, it illustrates how these foundation issues inform differing approaches to several major debates. 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
  • Be able to relate and compare the major approaches to understanding politics
  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the shape of one of the major sub disciplines of political science: contemporary political theory
  • Be able to relate and compare liberal from critical approaches to political theory
  • Understand the various challenges contemporary conditions of pluralism bring through debates around democracy, Feminism, Multiculturalism and Postcolonialism
  • 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
  • Be able to communicate coherently, concisely and effectively in writing.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into the Politics and International Studies specialisation (formal) in the BH-ARTS Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours), Politics and International Studies specialisation (formal) in the GDA-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)

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: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Research Essay 1

  • 2500 words
Mid semester50%

Research Essay 2

  • 2500 words
During the examination period50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorClayton Chin
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal of 24 contact hours: A 2 hour seminar per week for 12 weeks.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

    clayton.chin@unimelb.edu.au


What do these dates mean

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    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

Last updated: 31 January 2024