pol1aup democracies and dictatorships

DEMOCRACIES AND DICTATORSHIPS: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS

POL1AUP

2019

Credit points: 15

This subject addresses La Trobe's Global Citizenship Essential. Global Citizenship is about learning to live in an interconnected world, including the social, environmental, political and economic challenges this brings.

Subject outline

The discipline of politics concerns itself with key concepts of power, justice and order. It addresses questions of how societies are organised politically; how power and resources are distributed; and the impact these choices have on the rights and livelihoods of people. This subject introduces students to the key concepts and analytical tools of the discipline of politics. It examines the major institutions, ideas and structures that are central to understanding politics. This subject also introduces students to comparative approaches to politics by examining Australia's political system and those found in other states. In doing so, this subject will enable students to understand politics in a global context, including the diversity of values and perspectives that underpin modern political systems. This subject addresses Latrobe's Global Citizenship essential.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorDirk Tomsa

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditions Core subject at first-year level for a Politics major in the Bachelor of Arts degree (ABA).

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsComparative Government and Politics: An IntroductionPrescribedRod Hague, Martin Harrop and John McCormick10TH ED., MACMILLAN 2016.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Understand the key disciplinary ideas and conceptual tools for studying and understanding politics in both Australia and globally.

Activities:
Major essay and take-home exam; online exercises; tutorials and lectures
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Identify the core political institutions of democratic and non-democratic governments across the globe.

Activities:
Major essay and take-home exam; online exercises; tutorials and lectures
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Compare the core political institutions, ideas and activities across diverse states globally.

Activities:
Major essay and take-home exam; online exercises; tutorials and lectures
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

04. Build the critical academic skills necessary to develop an argument based on scholarly research.

Activities:
Major essay and take-home exam
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDirk Tomsa

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Major essay (1600 words)Major essay to be submitted through turnitin4002, 03, 04
Online LMS quizzes (equivalent to 800 words)Online assessments linked with in class activities2001, 02, 03
Take-home exam (1600 words)Critical evaluations of subject material at the end of the semester to be completed at home over four days.4001, 02, 03, 04