Undergraduate - UnitATS1353 - Australian politics and government

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Politics
Offered	Caulfield First semester 2013 (Day) Clayton First semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Nick Economou (Clayton); Dr Narelle Miragliotta (Caulfield)

Notes

Previously coded PLT1020

Synopsis

Systems and structures of Australian government, especially the national parliament, the Australian constitution, the electoral process, how political parties are organised and how they impact on the political process, and how national policy is made in a federated polity. Key philosophies and theories including liberal-democratic theory, pluralism, and social democracy. The three critically important political concepts of 'power', 'democracy' and 'the state' will also be dealt with.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able:

To introduce students to the discipline of Politics and to foster a critical understanding of contemporary Australian politics.
To introduce students to the demands of studying politics at the tertiary level and to foster an ability to present clear and coherent arguments in a tutorial situation and to write analytically rigorous essays.
To foster a critical understanding of Australia's key political and governmental institutions and their inter-relations.
To foster a critical understanding of theories about the nature of liberal democracy and power in the context of Australian politics.
To foster an ability to examine current political events within a framework informed by an understanding of the major themes and processes of contemporary politics.
To foster an enthusiasm for the study of Australian politics.

Assessment

Written work: 50% (2500 words)
Tutorial contribution: 10%
2 hours exam: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Nick Economou (Clayton); Dr Narelle Miragliotta (Caulfield)

Contact hours

3 hours (2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Politics
Australian studies