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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Political Science
Political Science is the study of how individuals and groups exercise power and influence, or resist power and influence being exercised over them. It deals with an enormous range of phenomena, from how individuals formulate their own self-identity and political allegiance to how nations become involved in war.
The study of politics is a crucial part of any liberal education, linking readily with history, philosophy, sociology and anthropology, psychology, criminology, social theory and literary studies. The Department of Political Science subjects focus not merely on current Australian issues but also on areas such as Europe, post-communist societies, the United States, the Middle East and China. There are also subjects dealing with broad issues of social and economic change, as well as subjects dealing with political and philosophical ideas, debates and assumptions. Other subjects concentrate on providing practical experience and a variety of skills used in political analysis.
The study of Political Science helps in gaining an understanding of the major social and political issues which dominate the local and international agenda. Heightened personal awareness, self-confidence and a firm grasp of specific knowledge are other key benefits you will derive from a study of politics.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts who have majored in Political Science are highly sought after by employers and find that they are on the threshold of many interesting career paths. For example, you may go on to choose a career as a journalist, a diplomat, a policy analyst, a public servant, a management consultant, research consultant, psychologist, or any job which involves critical analysis and writing skills such as an academic, film-maker, educational researcher, politician, media worker, research assistant to parliamentarians and trade unions, school teacher, in banking, business or management (especially in the export industries). Those considering working in government, the law, for welfare agencies or lobby groups, in the creative arts, in public relations and the public service will find the study of politics especially valuable. You will find that international opportunities are opened up by the study of politics, such as posts in the United Nations or its specialised agencies, GATT, overseas aid agencies, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and many more.
There are no prerequisite for study in Political Science in first-year beyond the normal requirements for university entrance. First-year Political Science subjects make no assumption of previous study of VCE politics.
The general prerequisite for all second and third-year politics subjects is normally 25 points of first-year Politics; students with only 12.5 points in Politics may apply to the 2nd/3rd-year coordinator.
A major in Political Science requires the completion of five subjects at second and third-year level (a total of 83.3 points). Students may enrol in an individual second or third-year subject provided that they have met the normal prerequisites noted above.
Students wishing to enter Fourth Year Politics Honours in 1997 will need to have completed a major in Politics. A minimum overall standard of H2A will be required in the major. These requirements apply to both Pure and Combined Politics Honours. Students who wish to enrol in 166-400 Politics Honours Thesis (Pure Politics students and Combined Politics Honours students wishing to undertake their thesis in the Political Science Department) will need to make written application to the Director of the Politics Honours School by October 31 in the year previous to which admission to fourth-year is sought. Forms will be available from the Departmental Office.
Students taking Pure Politics Honours enrol in Fourth-year Politics subjects to a total of 66.6 points and in 166-400 Politics Honours Thesis (33.3 points). Students taking Combined Politics Honours enrol in 33.3 points of fourth-year Politics and the thesis subject (33.3 points) in Politics or the combining department.
Graduate Studies in Political Science at Melbourne is already well established with over 150 postgraduate students pursuing PhDs, MAs, Postgraduate Diplomas and Graduate Diplomas. Further enquiries about postgraduate courses should be directed to:
The Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Political Science.
Contact:
Department of Political Science
The University of Melbourne.
Telephone: (03) 9344 6565
Fax: (03) 9344 7906
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Political Science
Status: OFFICIAL 1997 Last Modified: Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.