Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and Lecturer
Lloyd Cox
Contact via by email
W6A, room 423
Tuesday 10-12
Convenor and Lecturer
Ashley Lavelle
Contact via by email
W6A 435
TBA
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit, we introduce Australian politics through the lens of debates about globalisation and in so doing, we examine key Australian political institutions, ideologies and contemporary issues. We explore the ways in which they have been effected by, and have also filtered the effects of, accelerated globalisation. We ask: What is globalisation and how, if at all, has it blurred the boundaries between domestic and foreign policy issues? What is the nature of Australia's key political institutions (the Constitution, the High Court, Federalism, and Parliament), and are they democratic? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the main political ideologies? What are the key contemporary issues in Australia's political life (reconciliation, immigration, the war on terror, political information management), and is globalisation a sufficient or even a necessary explanation for understanding them?
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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First Essay | 20% | Friday, 1 April |
Main essay | 40% | Friday, 6 May |
Discussion board participation | 10% | All year |
Open book, at home exam | 30% | Monday, 13/06/2016 |
Due: Friday, 1 April
Weighting: 20%
This first essay will be based on topics covered in the first four weeks of the unit. These topics will be posted on ilearn in the first week of semester. Students should submit their essay in electronic form to lloyd.cox@mq.edu.au, by 5.00 pm on Friday, 1 April. The file should be labelled with your family name, essay one, and your name must also be on the essay as it will be printed out.
Due: Friday, 6 May
Weighting: 40%
The main essay will be 2000 words +/- 10%, with essay topics to be put on ilearn in week two of the unit. Late submissions without an extension will be penalised 1 mark out of 40, for each late day. Essays without an extention beyond two weeks late will not be accepted. Students should submit their essay in electronic form to lloyd.cox@mq.edu.au, by the close of 5.00 pm on Friday, 6 May. The file should be labelled with your family name, essay two, and your name must also be on the essay as it will be printed out.
Due: All year
Weighting: 10%
These marks are for "participating" on the ilearn discussion board. Students should make regular, weekly contributions. Grades will be assigned based on the regularity and quality of your contributions.
Due: Monday, 13/06/2016
Weighting: 30%
This open book, at home exam will consist of 3 short, 800 word essays, with usual referencing conventions applying (i.e., provide references). The topics will be placed on ilearn on Friday, 10 June at midday, and students will be required to submit their completed work by 5.00 pm on Monday, 13 June. Students should submit their work in electronic form to lloyd.cox@mq.edu.au. All three essay should be on one file, which should be labelled with your family name, final exam, and your name must also be on the essays.
Australian Politics in Global Context
Welcome to POL 101, Australian Politics in Global Context. Australian politics has undergone rapid change over the past three decades. The relative stability of the post-war era has given way to a political and social landscape of accelerated transformation. Previously taken-for-granted values are challenged, once stable institutions are destabilised, and the very idea of an Australian political community (what it is, who it encompasses, and the future directions it should take) is the subject of fierce controversy. These political tremors have been expressed most acutely in the rise of and subsequent challenges to multiculturalism, and in the neo-liberal restructuring of key Australian institutions, with an attendant growth of inequality.
In this course, we introduce Australian politics through the lens of debates about globalization and its consequences for state capacities, sovereignty and decision-making. In so doing, we examine key political institutions, ideologies and contemporary issues. We explore the ways in which they been affected by, and have also filtered the effects of, accelerated globalization. Amongst other questions, we ask: what is globalization and how, if at all, has it blurred the boundaries between ‘domestic’ and ‘foreign’ policy issues; what is the nature of Australia’s key political institutions, and do they ensure a high degree of democratic participation and accountability in a global era; what are the strengths and weaknesses of the main political ideas that inform public debate in this country, and how are they expressed in political struggle between the main parties?
In trying to answer these quesitons, we will provide a number of weekly readings that will be available on ilearn. To get the best out of this unit it is essential that students read, think carefully about what they are reading, and discuss their thoughts on the ilearn discussion board.
To do well in this unit it is imperative that students listen to all lectures and make regular contributions to the discussion board. You will enjoy the unit much more if you do.
Useful General Texts and Background Reading on Australian Politics
Aulich, C. & Wettenhall, R. (eds.) (2005) Howard’s Second and Third Term Governments. Sydney: UNSW Press.
Frankel, B. (2004) Zombies, Lilliputians and Sadists: The Power of the Living Dead and the Future of Australia. Fremantle: Curtin University Press.
Hirst, J. (2002) Australia’s Democracy: A Short History. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
Irving, H. (2004) Five Things to Know About the Constitution. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. Pp. 92-107.
Maddox, G. (2005) Australian Democracy in Theory and Practice, 5th edn. Melbourne: Longman.
Parkin, A., Summers, J. & Woodward, D. (eds.) (2006) Government, Politics, Power and Policy in Australia 8th edn. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
Singleton, G. (ed.) (2000) The Howard Government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1996-1998. Sydney: UNSW Press.
Singleton, G., Aitkin, D., Jinks, B. & Warhurst, J. (2006) Australian Political Institutions, 8th edn. Melbourne: Longman.
Smith, R. (2001) Australian Political Culture. Melbourne Longman.
Vromen, A. & Gelber, K. (2005) Powerscape: Contemporary Australian Political Practice. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
Young, S. (2004) The Persuaders: Inside the Hidden Machine of Political Advertising. Melbourne: Pluto Press Australia.
USEFUL JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES
Arena
Australian Journal of Political Science
Australian Journal of Politics and History
Australian Journal of Political Economy
Australian Journal of Public Administration
Australian Journal of Social Issues
[Australian]Journal of Sociology
AQ: Journal of Contemporary Analysis
Griffith Review
Journal of Political Ideologies
The Monthly: Australian Politics, Society and Culture
Thesis Eleven
USEFUL WEBSITES
Macquarie University’s Politics subject site:
http://www.lib.mq.edu/resources/subject/politics
The Commonwealth parliamentary Library:
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/index.htm
The National Library of Australia:
http://www.nla.gov.au/oz/gov /
Elections data base website at the University of Western Australia:
NSW government website:
http://www.nsw.gov.au/government.asp
Australian Bureau of Statistics:
ABC Online:
Australian Policy Online:
http://www.apo.org.au/index.shtml
Australian Review of Public Affairs:
Online Opinion
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au
New Matilda Magazine
www.newmatilda.com/home/default/.asp
The Whitlam Institute
The Australia Institute
The Centre for Independent Studies
The Green Left Weekly
Lecture and Tutorial Outline
Week |
Lecture Dates |
Lecture Topics |
Tutorial Topics |
1 |
March 4, A March 4, B |
Introduction: Australian Politics and Globalization Democracy and Inequality in Australia |
No Tutorial |
2 |
March 11, A March 11, B |
The Australian Constitution The Constitution and the "Dismissal" |
Was the Dismissal Constitutional? Whose class interests were served? |
3 |
March 18, A March 18. B |
Australian Federalism Reforming Federalism: How and Why? |
Federalism versus Centralism? |
4 |
March 25
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Easter Friday, no lecture |
Easter Friday, no tutorials |
5 |
April 1, A April 1, B |
The Legislature Whose Laws? Social Class and Political Lobbying
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Can laws and decisions be bought? |
6 |
April 8, A April 8, B |
The modern Executive The modern Executive, Secrecy and Refugees |
Cabinet confidentiality. Whose Secrets? |
7 |
April 29, A April 29, B |
The High Court The High Court and Aboriginal Land Rights |
Mabo, Wik and the High Court. |
8 |
April 28 April 30 |
Social Democracy and the ALP: Flickering Light on the Hill Finally Extinguished? |
The High Court |
9 |
May 5 May 7 |
The Coalition: Liberalism or Class Rule? |
Social Democracy and the ALP: Flickering Light on the Hill Finally Extinguished?
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10 |
May 12 May 14 |
Relevancy Deprivation Syndrome? Minor Parties and Independents |
The Coalition: Liberalism or Class Rule?
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11 |
May 19, A May 21, B |
Radicals and Resistance: Left Right Out? Religion and Politics in Australia |
Relevancy Deprivation Syndrome? Minor Parties and Independents |
12 |
May 26 May 28 |
Neo-liberalism, Business Power, and Economic Crisis Down Under: Sun, Sand, Surf, and Stockjobbers |
Radicals and Resistance: Left Right Out? Religion and Politics in Australia |
13 |
June 2 June 4 |
Living in the End Times: The Age of 'Natural Disasters' and Environmental Catastrophe |
Neo-liberalism, Business Power, and Economic Crisis Down Under: Sun, Sand, Surf, and Stockjobbers |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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