PLT3701

Victorian State Politics and Policy ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Paul Strangio

Offered:
Caulfield Second semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit involves a detailed analysis of the structure and functions of Victoria's State Polity in a comparative perspective. Victoria's place in Australia's federalism is examined as is the constitutional architecture of the State (parliament, Governor, Cabinet, Bureaucracy and regulating agencies such as the Auditor General). Electoral arrangements, voter behaviour and the State political parties are investigated as is the political economy of Victoria. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between demographics and political behaviour in the State. Victoria's machinery of public policy making is examined both from input and output perspectives.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 40% + Tutorial presentation: 10% + Examination (2 hours): 50% + Third year students will be required to undertake a question during the exam from a section devoted to issues of a more conceptual nature.

Contact Hours: 2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prohibitions: PCY2/3005