Introduction to Politics and Government
- Weighting Percentage: 40%
- Addresses learning outcome(s):
- After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Identify the nature and significance of politics and government as human activities;
- Apply concepts and theories in the study of politics and government to the analysis of political ideas, events, institutions and practices, relative to the historical and contemporary context;
- Assess how politics is mediated and evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events;
- Related graduate attribute(s):
- UC graduates are professional – communicate effectively
- UC graduates are professional – display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
- UC graduates are professional – employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
- UC graduates are professional – take pride in their professional and personal integrity
- UC graduates are professional – use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
- UC graduates are global citizens – adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
- UC graduates are global citizens – behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
- UC graduates are global citizens – communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
- UC graduates are global citizens – think globally about issues in their profession
- UC graduates are global citizens – understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
- UC graduates are lifelong learners – adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
- UC graduates are lifelong learners – be self-aware
- UC graduates are lifelong learners – reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
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Essay Questions:
Using concepts and theories introduced in this unit as-well as your own research answer one of the following essay questions:
- Australia has had six prime ministers in the last ten years. What factors have contributed to this and what impact does it have on contemporary Australian politics and public policy?
- What are the key factors in the debate about Indigenous constitutional recognition? Why hasn’t it been achieved despite numerous government reports since 2012?
- Outline what you consider to be the three most important achievements of the Morrison government to date.
- What are the main policy differences between the two major parties heading into the 2019 federal election?
- Should Australia have a Bill of Rights? What are the main arguments for and against a Bill of Rights? Which is more persuasive?
- In the last two decades, there has been a shift away from multiculturalism to citizenship in Australian politics. Is this a good or a bad thing?
- Does the media have too much power in contemporary Australian politics? Use two examples to illustrate your answer.
- Does the importance of national security mean that individual rights are no longer as relevant as they once were? Does it matter in a liberal society such as Australia?
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