DOING POLITICS

POL3DPO

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject you are encouraged to reflect upon what you have learned about politics throughout your degree, consolidate your knowledge and skills, and explore their practical applications. Through a series of action-oriented readings, seminars and workshops, you will analyse and discuss different traditions, behaviours and practices in the politics discipline and the world of work. Topics include political communication (written, visual and oral), political leadership, negotiation, decision-making and activism. You will be assessed over a variety of tasks including the production of a piece of written political communication, a short piece of political analysis, personal reflections and team work. This subject addresses La Trobe's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Essential. Assessment seeks to develop your ability to tackle problems creatively and effectively, take calculated risks and create positive change that benefits you personally and the globe as a whole.

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 3 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Successful completion of a level 1 POL or level 2 POL subject or with subject coordinator's approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: POL2DOP OR POL3DOP

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

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
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. Apply and demonstrate critical thinking, inquiry/research and problem solving skills in order to understand the dynamics of social change, generate new ideas and assess and manage risks.
02. Contribute meaningfully to critical discussions and debates about the discipline of politics and the nature of political work, including the capacity to apply theory and locate and synthesise diverse knowledge resources
03. Demonstrate the innovative use of a variety of communicative and behavioural methods and skills relevant to politics, for example, written, visual and spoken communication, negotiation, persuasion and influence, time management, organisation.
04. Collaborate and effectively communicate to develop creative ideas and solve complex political problems; develop skills in forging partnerships and networks that are the basis for effective political action.
05. Apply ethical and cultural awareness in order to understand and achieve positive social change.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Dirk Tomsa

Class requirements

Lecture/SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 3.00 hours lecture/seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

One piece of political analysis in report format (equivalent to 1500 wordsStudents will analyse a political issue and present their findings in a report format. Assessment develops and evaluates their analytic, critical and problem-solving skills, and their capacity to use professional communication formats like report-writing.

N/AN/AN/ANo40SILO1, SILO2, SILO5

One reflective piece on group work in negotiation scenario (500 words)Task involves students working in teams to devise a campaign aimed at solving a specific political problem. Assessment involves teamwork and a visual presentation presented online to class. 5% of grade is peer assessed.

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO1, SILO2, SILO4, SILO5

One major political communication project & accompanying reflective journal entry (2,000 words)Students complete a piece of political communication on a topic and in a format of their choice. The exercise aims to develop their knowledge and confidence in using alternative forms of communication other than essay-writing (for example, writing feature articles, opinion pieces for the press, fiction, political manifestos), while consolidating their critical, research and problem-solving skills.

N/AN/AN/ANo50SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5