POL 2001 Political Institutions

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
POL2001142212, 2002EXTPolitical Institutions1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOBUS
Academic Org:FOB002
HECS Band:1
ASCED Code:090101

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Peter Birnie
Moderator: Marcia Cavanagh



SYNOPSIS:

This course introduces students to the basic institutions and processes of Government internationally, focusing on the Australian model. Areas covered include the constitutional issues, federal and unitary systems of government, inter-governmental relations, parliamentary processes, the role of the Executive, the public sector, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the role and influence of interest groups.


OBJECTIVES:

Completion of this course will enable students to:

  • have an informed understanding of a range of political systems, and the operation of their practices and institutions;

  • have the capacity to appreciate and evaluate political phenomena in a critical, analytical manner;

  • have the ability to present rational, well-researched, written arguments about politics with clarity and coherence;

  • have an understanding of the nature of politics and of major political concepts as they apply to Australia, and a variety of other countries in comparison.



    • TOPICS:


    DescriptionWeighting (%)
    1. An Introduction to the Study of Politics
    		 12.50
    2. Constitutions
    		 12.50
    3. Governmental Systems
    		 12.50
    4. Administrative Systems
    		 12.50
    5. The Public Service and Bureaucracy
    		 12.50
    6. The Electoral System & Voter Behaviour
    		 12.50
    7. Political Parties & the Party System
    		 12.50
    8. Interest Groups
    		 12.50

    TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

    Books can be ordered by fax or telephone. For costs and further details use the 'Book Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au by entering the author or title of the text.

    Singleton, G., Aitkin, D., Jinks, B. & Warhurst, J. 2000, Australian Political Institutions, 6th edition, Longman, Sydney.

    Summers, J. & Smith, B. 2002, Communication Skills Handbook: How to Succeed in Written and Oral Communication, John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane.

    (Summers, J. and Smith, B. 2002, 'Communication Skills Handbook: How to Succeed in Written and Oral Communication', John Wiley and Sons, Brisbane.)




    REFERENCE MATERIALS:

    Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

    Aitkin, D, Jinks, B. & Warhurst, J. 1989, Australian Political Institutions, 4th edition, Longman Cheshire.

    Emy, H. V. 1978, The Politics of Australian Democracy, 2nd edition, MacMillan, Melbourne.

    Jackson, R.J. & Jackson, D. 2000, An Introduction to Political Science - Comparative and World Politics, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall, Scarborough.

    Jaensch, D. 1984, An Introduction to Australian Politics, 2nd edition, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.

    Lucy, R. 1983, The Pieces of Politics, 3rd edition, MacMillan, Melbourne.

    Maddox, G. 1989, The Hawke Government and Labor Tradition, Penguin.

    Roskin, M.G. & Cord, R.L, Medeiros, J.A. & Jones, W.S. 2000, Political Science, An introduction, 7th edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.

    Smith, R. & Watson, L. 1989, Politics in Australia, Allen & Unwin.

    Woodward, D, et al 1985, Government Politics and Power, 3rd edition, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Lectures28
    Private Study99
    Tutorial28


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    ESSAY 125.0025.00Y23 Aug 2002 (see note 1)
    ESSAY 225.0025.00Y20 Sep 2002 (see note 2)
    ESSAY 325.0025.00Y18 Oct 2002 (see note 3)
    2.5 HOUR EXAMINATION50.0050.00YEND S2 (see note 4)
    NOTES:
    1.
    2000 Word Essay - please refer to Other Requirements 1
    2.
    2000 Word Essay - Please refer to Other Requirements 1
    3.
    2000 word Essay. Please refer to Other Requirements 1
    4.
    You will be notified of the official examination date when the scheduling is finalised.

    OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

    1. Students must complete Assignment No.1 and select one other of the remaining Assessments 2 or 3.
    2. To achieve a passing grade in this course students will be required to attempt all of the assessments and achieve 50% in the examination and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50% in the total marks allocated for the assignments, and at least 50% of the available marks for the course Final grades for the course will be determined by the addition of the marks obtained in each assessment item, weighted as in the Assessment Details. Students seeking a B grade in this course will be expected to secure 65% of the total marks available in the subject. Students seeking to obtain an A in this course will be expected to secure 75% of the total marks available in this subject. Students seeking to obtain an HD in this course will be expected to secure 85% of the total marks available in the subject.
    3. The due date of an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the University, and is normally that defined in the relevant course specification. The onus is on the student to provide, if requested, proof of date of despatch.
    4. Students should organise their affairs to ensure that they meet due dates for all assignments. Extensions will be granted only under exceptional extenuating circumstances, normally involving a significant medical condition.
    5. Students may apply for an assignment extension either by application through DEC before the due date or by including application with the submitted assignment after the due date. Such applications should be in writing and include supporting documentary evidence. The authority for granting extensions rests with the relevant Course Leader.
    6. All assignments despatched after due dates without appropriate extension approvals or after approved extension dates will be penalised up to a maximum of 20% of the assigned mark per work day.
    7. Students must retain a copy of all assignments which must be provided if/when required by the Course Leader.
    8. Course weightings of topics should not be interpreted as applying to the number of marks allocated to questions testing those topics in an examination paper.
    9. Students must demonstrate effective essay writing techniques, including correct in-text referencing and bibliographical details, using the Harvard System.
    10. Assignments must comply with the Faculty of Business guidelines set out in the Communications Skills Handbook 5th edition. Should assignments not comply with these requirements, then the Course Leader reserves (and has) the right to not mark the submitted assignment.