POL 2001 Political Institutions

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
POL2001242232, 2003ONCPolitical Institutions1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOBUS
Academic Org:FOB002
HECS Band:1
ASCED Code:090101

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Peter Phillips
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; and

  • 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 and Voter Behaviour
    		 12.50
    7. Political Parties and 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.

    POL2001 study package available from the USQ Bookshop.

    Singleton, G, Aitkin, D, Jinks, B & Warhurst, J 2003, Australian political institutions, 7th edition, Longman, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales.

    Summers, J & Smith, B 2003, Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication, 5th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.

    (revised edition)




    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.

    Emy, HV 1978, The politics of Australian democracy: fundamentals in dispute, 2nd edition, MacMillan, South Melbourne.

    Jackson, RJ & Jackson, D 2000, An introduction to political science - comparative and world politics, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall Canada, Scarborough, Ontario.

    Jaensch, D 1984, An introduction to Australian politics, 2nd edition, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.

    Lucy, R 1983, The pieces of politics, 3rd edition, MacMillan, South Melbourne.

    Maddox, G 1989, The Hawke government and Labor tradition, Penguin, Ringwood, Victoria.

    Roskin, MG, Cord, RL, Medeiros, JA & Jones, WS 2000, Political science, an introduction, 7th edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

    Smith, R & Watson, L 1997, Politics in Australia, 3rd edition, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards.

    Summers, J, Woodward, D & Parkin, A (eds) 2002, Government politics and power in Australia: an introductory reader, 7th edition, Longman, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales.




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Lectures28
    Private Study99
    Tutorial28


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    ESSAY 125.0025.00Y05 Sep 2003
    ESSAY 225.0025.00Y17 Oct 2003
    2.5 HOUR EXAMINATION50.0050.00YEND S2(see note )
    NOTES:
    .
    The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

    IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

    1. Attendance requirements:
      It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. If you are an International student in Australia it is a requirement of your student visa that you attend all classes at your campus.
    2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
      To complete the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the assignments in aggregate. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
    3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
      If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
    4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
      To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must attempt all of the summative assessment items, achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% in the total marks allocated for the assignments, achieve at least 50% in the examination, and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
    5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
      The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
    6. Examination information:
      This is a closed examination. Candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
    7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
      Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
    8. University Regulations:
      Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL: http://www.usq.edu.au/SECARIAT/calendar/Part5/ or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook. Students should also read The Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/title663.html or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook.

    ASSESSMENT NOTES

    1.Assignments: (i) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. (ii) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the Examiner. (iii) The Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. Students may apply for an assignment extension by application to the Examiner before the due date or by 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 Examiner. (iv) The Examiner will normally only accept assessments that have been typed or printed on paper-based media. (v) The Examiner will not accept submission of assignments by facsimile. (vi) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
    2.Course Weightings: Course weightings of topics should not be interpreted as applying to the number of marks to questions testing those topics in an examination paper.
    3.Referencing in Assignments: Students must demonstrate effective essay writing techniques, including correct in-text referencing and bibliographical details, using the Harvard system. Assignments must comply with the guidelines set out in the 'Communication skills handbook: How to succeed in written and oral communication'.
    4.Deferred Work: Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).