166-411 Australian Politics: Approaches and Issues

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Admission to fourth year political science

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The subject studies key developments in the Australian political system and a selection of major issues facing Australian politics. It explores current theoretical debates and critically reviews various approaches to Australian politics. There is a focus on historical origins as well as current issues and problems. Topics concerning the political system will include political culture and national identity, constitutional design and conventions, political parties and elections, women in politics, parliament and the core executive. Students will gain a critical understanding of contemporary issues including citizenship, individual and group rights, Aboriginal self-determination, public sector restructuring, and the impact of globalisation and treaty making. Students doing the subject will be encouraged to review current theoretical debates and to evaluate different approaches used in the study of Australian politics. Comparative developments in comparable countries will also be used to highlight Australian characteristics and identify similarities and differences. There will also be an emphasis on identifying the impact of political changes on Australian public policy.

Assessment

Essay and assignment work totalling 6,000 words.

Prescribed Texts

B. Galligan, I. McAllister & J. Ravenhill (eds), New Developments in Australian Politics, Macmillan, 1997.