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  2. Australian Government [POL2127]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Australian Government

  • Unit Code

    POL2127

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit is designed to familiarise students with the theories, institutions and socio-economic forces operating on government in Australia. This unit provides an overview of the operation of Australian democracy. It focuses on democratic theory and practice. It compares the practice of Australian politics and government with democratic ideals. A feature of the unit will be the discussion of relevant contemporary political issues.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL2117, POL3117, POL3127, POL4117

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply theoretical perspectives from political science to an analysis of the structure, organisation and dynamics of Australian political institutions.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of important strands of political thought on institutions and processes of decision making in Australia.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic features of the Australian political system.
  4. Relate contemporary events to the process of government in Australia.

Unit Content

  1. Political parties, interest groups and political communication.
  2. Public opinion, the mass media and political communication.
  3. The electoral system, elections and voting behaviour.
  4. The operation and performance of Parliament, cabinet and political leadership.
  5. The structure of Australian government.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The presentation of unit content is through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, visits, invitation speakers, films and videos.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
ExaminationExamination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
EssayEssay50%

Text References

  • Lewis, P (2003). Issues, indicators and ideas. (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest:: Pearson.
  • Ward, I., & Stewart, R. (2010). Politics one. South Yarra: Palgrave.
  • Drum, M. and Tate, J. (2012). Politics in Australia South Yarra: Palgrave.
  • Willmott, T., & Douse, J. (2002). Process and participation: Politics in law in Australia. (2nd ed.). Perth: Politics Law Publishing.
  • Summers, J., Woodward, D., & Parkin. A. (2002). Government, politics, power and policy in Australia. (7th ed.). South Melbourne: Addison, Esley, Longman.
  • Solomon, D. (1998). Coming of age: Charter for a new Australia. St. Lucia, QLD: Queensland University Press.
  • Boreham, P., Stokes, G., & Hall, R. (Eds.). (2000). The politics of Australian society: Political issues for a new country. Melbourne: Pearson Australia.
  • Singleton, G., Aitkin, D., Jinks, B., & Garhurst, J. (2003). Australian political institutions. (7th ed.). Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.

Journal References

  • Parliamentary Hansard (Commonwealth and Western Australia)
  • The Australian Quarterly
  • Australian Journal of Political Science

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL2127|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Australian Government

  • Unit Code

    POL2127

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit is designed to familiarise students with the theories, institutions and socio-economic forces operating on government in Australia. This unit provides an overview of the operation of Australian democracy. It focuses on democratic theory and practice. It compares the practice of Australian politics and government with democratic ideals. A feature of the unit will be the discussion of relevant contemporary political issues.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL2117, POL3117, POL3127, POL4117

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply theoretical perspectives from political science to an analysis of the structure, organisation and dynamics of Australian political institutions.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of important strands of political thought on institutions and processes of decision making in Australia.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic features of the Australian political system.
  4. Relate contemporary events to the process of government in Australia.

Unit Content

  1. Political parties, interest groups and political communication.
  2. Public opinion, the mass media and political communication.
  3. The electoral system, elections and voting behaviour.
  4. The operation and performance of Parliament, cabinet and political leadership.
  5. The structure of Australian government.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The presentation of unit content is through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, visits, invitation speakers, films and videos.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
ExaminationExamination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
EssayEssay50%

Text References

  • Lewis, P (2003). Issues, indicators and ideas. (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest:: Pearson.
  • Ward, I., & Stewart, R. (2010). Politics one. South Yarra: Palgrave.
  • Drum, M. and Tate, J. (2012). Politics in Australia South Yarra: Palgrave.
  • Willmott, T., & Douse, J. (2002). Process and participation: Politics in law in Australia. (2nd ed.). Perth: Politics Law Publishing.
  • Summers, J., Woodward, D., & Parkin. A. (2002). Government, politics, power and policy in Australia. (7th ed.). South Melbourne: Addison, Esley, Longman.
  • Solomon, D. (1998). Coming of age: Charter for a new Australia. St. Lucia, QLD: Queensland University Press.
  • Boreham, P., Stokes, G., & Hall, R. (Eds.). (2000). The politics of Australian society: Political issues for a new country. Melbourne: Pearson Australia.
  • Singleton, G., Aitkin, D., Jinks, B., & Garhurst, J. (2003). Australian political institutions. (7th ed.). Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.

Journal References

  • Parliamentary Hansard (Commonwealth and Western Australia)
  • The Australian Quarterly
  • Australian Journal of Political Science

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL2127|1|2