PL1001 - Comparative Politics: Making Sense of a Puzzling World

Credit points:	03
Year:	2006
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:

This subject introduces students to politics in the context of an interdependent and constantly changing world, influenced by technology and communication revolutions and other pressures. It will focus on making sense of puzzling and seemingly disparate events reflected in the colourful media visuals of the worlds political events. The subject is divided into four parts: background to politics (nature and scope of politics); politics and society (culture, ideology, participation, interest groups, elections and political parties); government structure and policy making (political frameworks and the design and output of government); and the politics of change (reform, revolution and democratisation). It will draw on a diverse range of democratic and authoritarian countries and students will have the opportunity to examine and compare aspects of Australian politics with the politics of a range of other countries.

Learning Outcomes

• to provide a capacity for critical and creative political analysis, ability to adapt knowledge to new political circumstances and an appreciation of cross-cultural issues and perspectives;
• to provide a coherent and rigorous introduction to understanding political relations within states in theoretical and comparative contexts;
• to provide students with a comparative introduction to political science and the conceptual vocabulary of the discipline;
• to develop concepts, ideas and organisational tools to understand a diverse range of political systems (including Australia) that students will encounter in their studies and daily and professional lives.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Availabilities
, , Study Period 2
Census Date 08-Sep-2006
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours 10 hours
Assessment:	(40%); (10%); (50%).
, , Study Period 2
Census Date 08-Sep-2006
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Surin Maisrikrod.
Contact hours:	26 hours 10 hours
Assessment:	(40%); (10%); (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.