Australian Politics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

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://wws.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject is an introduction to Australia"s political institutions including the Constitution, the High Court, Parliament, Cabinet and the Prime Minister, the bureaucracy and the Federal system. We will examine Australia"s major political parties as well as the role of minor parties, interest groups and social movements. We will also discuss important controversies in Australian political history, as well as contemporary issues such as women and gender in politics, the representation of marginalised groups and the impact of globalisation on Australia"s political institutions and political culture. Students who complete this subject should have a solid understanding of Australia"s political institutions and be able to analyse critically competing theories and interpretations of Australia"s political system. Students should develop an awareness of contemporary political issues which challenge the existing institutions and political order.

Students who complete this subject should:

• have a solid understanding of Australia"s political institutions, including the Constitution and the High Court, the Parliament, Cabinet and the role of the Prime Minister, the bureaucracy and the Australian federal system.
• be able to analyse critically competing theories and interpretations of Australia"s political system.
• be aware of the history, ideologies and contemporary outlook of the major political parties.
• be conversant with contemporary political issues which challenge the existing institutions and political order.
• further develop skills in oral and written presentations.
• have developed a solid background for further studies in Politics.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

• Government, Politics, Power and Policy in Australia (Andrew Parkin et al.) Longman 2006, 8th edition

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who complete this subject should:

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays.
• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations.
• be able to communicate knowledge intelligently and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision.
• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.