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:	Minor essay	Week 6	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Quizzes	Week 11	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Major essay	Week 12	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Tutorial Attendance and Participation	Refer to Assessment Description	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Minor essay

Task Description:

Submit an essay addressing (with reference to course materials and further reading) an essay question. Please refer to the HPP101 Essay and Referencing Guide for directions on how to structure your essay.

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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

Assessment Task 2: Quizzes

Task Description:

Two quizzes will be held during tutorial class time in weeks 3 and 11

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See CRA on MyLo	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Major essay

Task Description:

Submit an essay addressing (with reference to course materials and further reading) an essay question. Include an introduction; a review of relevant literature/ themes drawn from your
reading; a description of practical examples; and a conclusion. Please refer to the HPP101 Essay and Referencing Guide for directions on how to structure your essay. You will be required to use the headings specified in that Guide.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 12

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 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 prepare a 10 minute presentation on one topic throughout the semester.

Online: Students are expected engage in the Discussion Boards. They are to read the tutorial material in advance, prepare responses to tutorial questions and actively participate in online
discussions. Students will have the entire week to post to the Board.

Online engagement requires one of the following:
• Replying to five discussion board posts from other students (one mark for each reply). Note that to receive a mark, your reply must be in the same week as the post to which you are
responding.
• Engagement in at least five online tutorials.

Task Length:

Tutorial participation

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

25 %

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.