ATS1945 - Australian government and politics - 2018

The unit explores the government and politics of the Australian liberal democratic state. It undertakes study of Australia's approach to Westminster governance, the development of the national constitution, the institutions of national government, federal-state relations, the political struggle that occurs between labour and capital to exert influence over the process of government, and the form and nature of Australia's system of representative democracy.

1. To develop a deep understanding of how government is arranged in a liberal democratic state, using the Australian state as the case study;
2. To foster knowledge about Australia's constitutional arrangements including a thorough understanding of the impact and legacy of the Westminster system of Responsible Government;
3. To develop knowledge of the Australian federal system and its impact upon national, sub-national and local governance;
4. To understand the political dynamics of the mobilisation of sections of the community in pursuit of executive power, or to influence those in executive power;
5. To foster knowledge about Australia's democratic institutions and their inter-relationship with the community and with the processes of government
6. To foster the ability of graduates to critically evaluate politics and government, and to communicate these ideas in tutorial engagement and provide rigorous analysis in research essays.

Within semester assessment: 60% + Exam: 40%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Politics