Australian Politics:Democracy & Justice

Subject 166-411 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week , 8 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to the Bachelor of Public Policy and Management 4th-year Pass or Honours degree, or the Postgraduate Certificate/ Diploma in Public Policy and Management, Political Science, International Politics, Sociology, Criminology, Socio-legal Studies or the Master of Public Policy and Management, or Master of Criminology.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

 CoordinatorProf Brian Galligan ContactProf. 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 shuold 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).
Prescribed Texts:
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.
Notes:	Formerly available as 166-047 and 166-411. Students who have completed 166-047 or 166-411 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Public Policy and Management Bachelor of Public Policy and Management(Honours) Master of Criminology (CWT) Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Australian Studies Australian Studies Criminology Criminology Italian Political Science Political Science Political Science Public Policy and Management Public Policy and Management Socio-Legal studies Socio-legal Studies

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