Unit Outline

This unit explores broad ranging and contemporary aspects of Australian politics and policy, including democratic principles and Australian institutions, values and Australian culture, the Australian electoral system and campaigns, forms of political representation and the role of lobby groups, the workings of the Australian state, its courts, levels of government, and policy making forums. Students will be exposed to and have the opportunity to research contemporary political and public policy controversies across a broad range of issues including democracy in principle and practice, the 'left, centre and right' in Australian politics, contested national identity, and the role of parties, public participation, the Prime Minister, ministerial staff, the separation of powers and federalism.

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	Identify and evaluate contrasting arguments in the study of Australian politics and policy.
2	Apply theoretical knowledge and research to analyse policy and political debates or cases.
3	Communicate your ideas coherently in written and/or oral formats, drawing upon evidence and applying referencing and style conventions as appropriate.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HSD208 AND HSD308 AND HPP305

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:	Australian politics quiz	Week 5	10 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Essay	Week 11	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Participation - in tutorials &/or online	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Australian politics quiz

Task Description:

Australian politics quiz

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Participation	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: 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 HPP205 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:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that knowledge of key concepts and theories was applied.	LO2
2	Demonstrated the capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies.	LO1, LO2
3	Communicated knowledge and research results using an essay format.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Participation - in tutorials &/or online

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.

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:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that designated material was read and critically reflected on.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Demonstrated the ability to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO1, LO2
3	Demonstrated the ability to communicate knowledge in face-to-face/online tutorials	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Exam

Task Description:

An invigilated exam will be held at the end of the semester during the formal exam period. An exam guide will be issued in week 12 and will be discussed in the final lecture and tutorials.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated knowledge of key concepts and theories.	LO1, LO2
2	Demonstrated capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies.	LO1, LO2
3	Demonstrated ability to respond accurately and concisely to questions asked.	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Communicated knowledge and research results.	LO3

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.