Political Analysis: Ideas and Strategies

Subject POLS30005 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

3 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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: Thirty contact hours per semester. 1 x two hour lecture and 1 x one hour tutorial per week. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment: Not available

Prerequisites:

Completion of 37.5 points of level two subjects in Politics and International Studies and enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts or Graduate Diploma in Arts. Bachelor of Arts Students should endeavour to take the capstone subject in their final semester of study after the completion of 25 points of third year.

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Levels 1 & 2 Politics and International Studies

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 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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Jenny Lewis, Dr Michael Crozier

Contact

Dr. Michael Crozier: mcrozier@unimelb.ed.au

Assoc. Prof. Jenny Lewis: jmlewis@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject focuses on the ideas, methods and strategies which contribute to political analysis. It outlines a variety of ways of thinking politically and engaging in political research. It examines the major ideas and concepts which underpin different understandings of the nature of politics and their relationship to different national and international political practices and policy debates. It introduces students to analytical strategies to critically assess the constraints and possibilities entailed in various forms of political analysis. The subject is particularly concerned with evaluating the analytical efficacy of prevailing approaches to current political realities, from the local to the global. On completion of this subject students should have an understanding of the diversity and complexity of contemporary politics.
Objectives:	Understand methodologies and approaches to addressing contemporary political issues. Be able to apply these theories and methods in an integrated fashion to examine and explain issues in political science.
Assessment:	An essay of 2000 words (50%) due mid-semester, and a 2-hour examination (50%) during the examination period.
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	Students who successfully complete this subject should: Comprehend the main theoretical frameworks and critical concepts in politics. Understand methodologies and approaches to addressing contemporary political issues. Be able to apply these theories and methods in an integrated fashion to examine and explain issues in political science. Critical thinking and analysis skills in relation to politics. The ability to think in theoretical and applied terms about political issues. Demonstrate written communication skills. Demonstrate a capacity to undertake independent research in political science.
Notes:	166-301 Political Analysis: Ideas and Strategies is the Capstone subject for the Political Science, International Studies and Politics & International Studies majors. Completion of this subject is a requirement for these majors for students who commenced the BA from 2008 onwards. 166-301 Political Analysis: Ideas and Strategies is not available as a Breadth subject.
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Political Science Major Politics && International Studies Politics and International Studies Politics and International Studies

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