Researching Politics and Policy

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

120 hours

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

Those students electing to take the 'researching politics and policy' workshop will become familiar with the latest developments – the 'cutting edge' – in major branches of political science (including public and social policy, and international relations) and the theories, debates and methods associated with each. The underlying objective is for each student to be better prepared to select the most appropriate theoretical framework and methodology for their particular project. The subject has been structured in two equal halves – one more theoretical, the other more methodological (and both avoiding overlap with the two Political Science electives); students will be able to take the two parts in any order, so rendering the subject suitable for both calendar-year and mid-year entrants.

Successful completion of the Research Workshop will enable students to have an enhanced awareness of the range of contemporary scholarship in the discipline or interdisciplinary area. In the assessment, students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the contemporary research literature that is relevant to the thesis topic. The Research Workshop will also enable students to formulate and present the research proposal for confirmation.

• one 2,500-word literature review positioning essay. Due at the end of first semester (50%)
• one 2,500-word research essay. Due during mid-second semester (50%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.