PL2001:04
Politics Through Comedy
Townsville
HECS Band 1
26 hours lectures, 13 hours tutorials. Semester 1.
Staff: Assoc. Professor H Lesbirel.
This subject explores competing theoretical approaches and methods in political science through the systematic use of political comedies. It examines the key approaches (normative, institutional, behavioural, rational choice, feminist and discourse) and methodologies (qualitative, quantitative and structure-agency) used in the study of politics. It will focus on evaluating contested approaches and methods and highlighting the value of using those approaches and methods to understand politics in the real world. Political comedies, such as Yes, Prime Minister, will be used consistently to reinforce and integrate the core theoretical and methodological concerns of the discipline. The subject is designed for not only political science students, but also for students who wish to develop a capacity for understanding politics in their professional and daily lives.
Learning Objectives:
- to understand key theoretical and methodological aspects of the political science discipline;
- to evaluate critically competing approaches and methods in the study of politics;
- to conceptualise about politics and to enhance analytic skills.
Assessment by research essay, tutorial presentations and examination; the respective weights to be determined after consultation with students.