Unit Outline

This unit provides an introduction to the fundamentals of political science. It introduces students to some of the central ideas, concepts, actors, institutions and processes which characterise politics in democratic nations. It uses examples and case studies from Australia and across the democratic world to highlight the challenges confronting advanced democracies in the 21st Century.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain and evaluate key theories in the study of politics and policy.
2.	Acquire critical thinking skills and apply these in developing balanced academic arguments.
3.	Apply concepts and theories encountered in the unit to contemporary political and policy issues.
4.	Communicate your ideas coherently in written and/or oral formats using referencing and style conventions as appropriate.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HSG101 AND HSG110 AND HPP110 AND HSG107 AND HSG111

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online quizzes weeks 3 and 12	Week 3	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Minor essay	Week 6	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Major essay	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Tutorial Attendance and Participation	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quizzes weeks 3 and 12

Task Description:

Students are expected to complete two online quizzes (in weeks 3 and 12) within a certain time limit via MyLO. The first quiz will require students to complete five multiple choice questions while the second quiz will contain ten multiple choice questions. All quiz questions will come directly from lecture slides.

Task Length:

Online quizzes

Due Date:

Week 3 (15/Mar/2024)

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See CRA on MyLo	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Minor essay

Task Description:

Students must select and answer an essay question.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 6 (12/Apr/2024)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See CRA on MyLo
2	see CRA on MyLo	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Major essay

Task Description:

Students must select and answer one essay question.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 13 (31/May/2024)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See CRA on MyLo
2	see CRA on MyLo	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Tutorial Attendance and Participation

Task Description:

On campus: Students are expected to read the tutorial material in advance, prepare responses to questions and actively participate in discussions. Students will also be asked to actively participate in group work with peers.
Off-campus: Off-campus Discussion Board is (open for 7 days): Students are expected to read the tutorial material in advance, prepare responses to tutorial questions and actively participate in online discussions. Each new tutorial topic will be made available at the beginning of the week commencing week 2. Students will have the entire week to post to the Board.

Task Length:

Tutorial participation

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See CRA on MyLo	LO1, LO2, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.