Australian Politics:Democracy & Justice

Subject POLS40002 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2012.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week. If enrolments exceed 35, the 2nd hour of the seminar may be split into 2 or 3 small classes.
Total Time Commitment:

10

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-411 Australian Politics: Democracy and Justice

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Prof. Brian Galligan galligan@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will investigate how Australian constitutional democracy has been structured and how it has defined and developed citizenship and protected human rights. To address these issues students will investigate questions such as, How was Australian democracy institutionalised, and how are those institutions coping today? Is Australia's federalism dysfunctional and what should be done to fix it? How have Australia's traditions of citizenship and human rights been conceptualised and implemented? How are citizenship and human rights connected with broader issues of democracy and constitutional structure? Does Australia need to reconceptualise and reform its regimes for citizenship and human rights? What is social justice? How should governments ensure appropriate social and economic entitlements? Students should gain a critical understanding of contemporary issues concerning Australian democracy, citizenship, individual and group rights, social justice, Aboriginal self-determination, the impact of globalisation and treaty making, women's rights, multiculturalism and immigration.

Objectives:
  • have developed skills in analysing and explaining key developments in Australian politics relating to institutional design, citizenship and protection rights.
  • be familiar with different methods and approaches for studying Australian politics.
  • have an understanding of the main developments in Australian politics in this area, including their historical background and contemporary context.
  • be informed of key current issues facing Australian politics and their likely impact on public policy.
Assessment:

A review essay of 750 words (15%) due early in semester, a research paper of 3000 words (60%) due in the examination period, and a group project equivalent to 1250 words (25%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed.Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject.Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

none

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry.
  • be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic.
  • be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Public Policy and Management
Master of Criminology (CWT)
Master of Journalism
Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Public Policy and Management)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Australian Studies
Australian Studies
Criminology
Criminology
Criminology
Political Science
Political Science
Political Science
Politics and International Studies
Public Policy and Management
Public Policy and Management
Socio-Legal studies
Socio-legal Studies

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