166-047 Australian Politics: Citizenship, Rights and Democracy

Note

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Admission to fourth year Honours in Political Science.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The seminar will investigate how citizenship has been defined and developed, and human rights protected within Australia' constitutional democracy. It will examine critical and alternative views on these issues and explore current options for enhancing citizenship, human rights and democracy. In order to address these concerns, the seminar will investigate the following broad theoretical and empirical questions: (1) how has Australia's traditions of citizenship and human rights been conceptualised and implemented in practice; (2) how are citizenship and human rights connected with broader issues of democracy and constitutional structure; (3) what is the theoretical and practical justification for current dissatisfaction with, and criticism of, the Australian tradition and what are the alternatives; (4) does Australia now need to reconceptualise and reform its regimes for citizenship and human rights; and (5) how is globalisation affecting these issues in Australia, and how should Australia respond. Students will gain a critical understanding of contemporary issues concerning citizenship, individual and group rights, Aboriginal self-determination, the impact of globalisation and treaty making, women's rights, multiculturalism, and immigration.

Assessment

Written work totalling 5000 words.