166-411 Australian Politics:Democracy & Justice

Formerly available as 166-047. Students who have completed 166-047 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in political science or public policy and management, or postgraduate coursework programs in political science.

This subject will investigate how Australian constitutional democracy has defined and developed citizenship and protected human rights. To address these issues students will investigate questions such as, How have Australia's traditions of citizenship and human rights been conceptualised and implemented? How are citizenship and human rights connected with broader issues of democracy and constitutional structure? What is the justification for current criticism of the Australian tradition? Does Australia need to reconceptualise and reform its regimes for citizenship and human rights? What is social justice? How should governments ensure appropriate social and economic entitlements? Students should gain a critical understanding of contemporary issues concerning Australian democracy, citizenship, individual and group rights, social justice, Aboriginal self-determination, the impact of globalisation and treaty making, women's rights, multiculturalism and immigration.

Written work totalling 5000 words.