DEMOCRACIES AND DICTATORSHIPS: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS

POL1AUP

2020

Credit points: 15

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.

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Dirk Tomsa

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Rod Hague, Martin Harrop and John McCormick

Year: 2019

Edition/Volume: 11TH ED

Publisher: MACMILLAN

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective
COMMUNICATION - Digital Capability
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Understand the key disciplinary ideas and conceptual tools for studying and understanding politics in both Australia and globally.
02. Identify the core political institutions of democratic and non-democratic governments across the globe.
03. Compare the core political institutions, ideas and activities across diverse states globally.
04. Build the critical academic skills necessary to develop an argument based on scholarly research.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Dirk Tomsa

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 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 1.00 hour tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Major essay (1600 words)To be submitted through Turnitin

N/AN/AN/ANo40SILO2, SILO3, SILO4

Online LMS quizzes (equivalent to 800 words)Online assessments linked with in class activities

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO3

Take-home exam (1600 words)Critical evaluations of subject material at the end of the semester to be completed at home over four days.

N/AN/AN/ANo40SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4