PLT2521

Parties and Power in Australia

(ART)

Brian Costar

6 points + 2 hours per week + First semester + Caulfield + Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in Politics or permission from Head of School + Prohibition: PLT3521

Synopsis: This is an advanced subject in Australian Politics which concentrates on the political party system. It involves an examination of (i) the emergence of the Australian party system; (ii) the organisation and ideologies of the parties; (iii) the role of parties within parties; (iv) the nature of competition among the parties; (v) the relationship between political parties and social movements; and (vi) the relationship between the party system and the electoral system. A theme of the subject will be the way the parties exercise political power in Australia.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 40% + Tutorial presentation 10% + Examination (2 hours): 50%