GSC3510

Governing Australia: Federal Politics and Policy

(ART)

Beth Edmondson

6 points + 2 hours per week + First semester + Gippsland, OCDL + Prerequisites: GSC1503 and GSC1504 or equivalents (first-year sequence in History-Politics) + Prohibitions: GSC2504, GSC2508, GSC2510

Synopsis: This unit will focus on Australia's political institutions and practices. Students will examine the role of government, the relationship between executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as their impact on society. Students will become familiar with phases in policy development and the relationship between institutions, government and policy-making. Students will become familiar with relevant conceptual and analytical models and learn to apply them to explain policy stages and processes. Students will examine the nature and roles of key actors and the policy framework, as well as the importance of liberal democratic institutions in the Australian federal system.

Assessment: One essay (2500 words): 50% + Examination (2 hours): 50%