PL1001 - The Political World: An Introduction to Political Science

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	Discipline of Politics

This subject introduces students to political science. It sets the study of politics in the context of an interdependent and constantly changing world, influenced by globalisation, democratisation, environmental challenges, and inter-group conflict. It focuses on conceptual and empirical understanding of the world of politics. The subject is organised around four central themes: foundations of politics; politics and society; machinery of government; political change. It adopts a comparative/holistic perspective, drawing on a diverse range of states and political systems, and introducing key features of Australian politics.

Learning Outcomes

• provide students with an introduction to the discipline of political science;
• enhance understanding of differing political systems, including Australia's and of major political issues and values;
• develop students' capacity for critical and creative political analysis.

Graduate Qualities

• 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 think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically.

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Hayden Lesbirel.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures - 2 hour lecture/week 10 hours tutorials - 1 hour tutorial; tutorials commence Week 3
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures - 2 hour lecture/week 10 hours tutorials - 1 hour tutorial; tutorials commence Week 3
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).
External, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coord/Lect:	Dr Surin Maisrikrod.
Method of Delivery:	and WWW - LearnJCUPrinted materials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); assignments (60%).
Mackay, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (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.