Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

APG4657 - Beyond conflict: democracy, electoral management and civil society

12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Caulfield First semester 2011 (On-campus block of classes)
Coordinator(s)	Sharmini Sherrard

Notes

The Australian Electoral Commission's International Services section will act as a professional partner in delivering this unit. The unit will include a field visit and a workshop component that will draw on the extensive expertise of the AEC's international work, in particular its BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) curriculum which was jointly developed by the five BRIDGE partners which are the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), International IDEA, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD).
Lecturer: Ross Attrill, Assistant Director, International Services Section, Australian Electoral Commission

Previously coded MAI4030

Synopsis

This unit will survey a range of policy issues relevant to building and restoring democratic and electoral processes in post-conflict societies. The unit will provide a historical overview of the processes, international institutions and practice and debates including the liberal peace agenda. Field based case studies and evidence based best practice will be used in workshop formats to support lecture style presentations.

Objectives

On satisfactory completion of this subject, students will have developed research, critical thinking and writing of the highest academic standards.

Learning Objectives:

Critical understanding of the concepts behind the stabilization processes in post-conflict societies.
Critical understanding of field-based examples relevant to the unit.
Development of analytical skills that help to question the appropriateness of responses and interventions.
Capacity for independent, self-motivated research.
Capacity to write lucid, critical, balanced assessments of crisis management.
Opportunities to specialise in particular areas of building democratic and civil society institutions and electoral management by the provision of world class research training and supervision.

Assessment

Powerpoint/oral presentation at the one day seminar: 10%
A short essay (1,000 words): 15%
Research essay (7,000 words): 75%

Contact hours

33 hours of lecture/seminars in block mode including a seminar consisting of 10 min project presentations by each student. The block mode will be delivered from Monday, 28 February to Friday, 4 March in 2011.