Students
POIX399 – Political Thought in Action
2016 – SP4 OUA
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Course Convenor
Sandey Fitzgerald
OUA Coordinator MHPIR
Matthew Bailey
Matthew Bailey
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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
This unit builds on the diversity of earlier units in the discipline by inviting students to research and write an essay on a topic explored in earlier study that they wish to spend more time on. They will engage in workshopping their ideas as they work through the research process and will contribute to the work of others by engaging in constructive discussion. The unit concludes with a reflective analysis of their own study practices. Emphasis is placed on the ability to form reasoned arguments and to present findings to a critical audience.
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
General Assessment Information
This unit is a capstone unit and is required for those undertaking a major in politics. It is designed to allow students to integrate their studies in a single major project. It is also available to students generally who wish to undertake a 300 Level Politics unit, but these students should have completed the equivalent of three 300-level units at least one of which should be a Politics or International Relations unit at 300 level.
In all cases the Unit requires students to continue study in an area they have previously explored in a Politics or International Relations unit at 200 or 300 level. The aim of the unit is to build on these earlier units. Students will be asked to specify what this area is in the first week of the course.
Areas available for further exploration in this unit:
- Aboriginal Politics
- African Politics
- American Foreign Policy
- American Politics
- Asian Politics
- Australian Politics and Public Policy
- Elections and Public Opinion
- Environmental Politics
- EU Politics
- European Politics
- History of Political Ideas
- Human Rights
- International Relations
- Asia-Pacific Politics
- Political Economy
- Political Theory
- Radical Politics
- Religion and Politics
- Social Movements
- Social Democracy
Within the areas listed above, your chosen topic should be drawn from a unit you have studied before and should represent a continuing concern with issues that you feel you did not address to a satisfactory conclusion in that unit. Your essay must nevertheless be new and original and must not reproduce work done before.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course is a high-pressure course, with a number of early deadlines, particularly in Weeks 1 and 3.
Students should enter this unit with a general area of study already in mind, some understanding of why they think further exploration would be worthwhile, and some understanding of the key literatures relating to that area already in place. (These are most likely to be drawn from previous unit/s of study). They will be required to articulate this to other students in an assessable workshop and question-building game and come up with a workable research question by the end of Week 1. Students are not required to have done any more than this on their project, but if they have, they will still have to go through the formulation process. The course is as much about how to approach and manage a research project in a constrained time period as it is about producing a major essay.
A key requirement of this unit is the production of a well-written and fully referenced 3500-4000 word research essay in response to an original research question workshopped in the first week of the unit and developed through the course of the minor assessments. You will be assessed on your ability to meet the early requirements of the unit as well as develop a logical, consistent and complex argument and a strong critical analysis demonstrating your sound knowledge of the chosen topic; on your ability to use relevant sources, and properly reference these sources; and your ability to produce a well-structured essay using correct English expression and style.
You must allow sufficient time to write a number of drafts and for scrupulous editing before final submission. You will be asked to submit a draft of your thesis to your tutor three weeks before final submission. If possible, you should also aim to have someone else read over your work before submission.
Students who will be unable to meet the Week 1 requirements because of commitments from the previous SP or other commitments should reconsider their choices.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
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| Participation | 10% | Variable - see Unit home page |
| Proposal and selected reading | 10% | 9am EST Monday Week 4 |
| Progress Report | 20% | Sunday Week 8 |
| Major Research Essay | 60% | Sunday Week 13 |
Participation
Due: Variable - see Unit home page
Weighting: 10%
1. Participation in Workshops and a Question-building Game Weeks 1-5
2. Participation in weekly forums and/or blogs as directed
3. Development and submission of proposed Research Question (due Sunday Week 1)
Submission Methods: please see Assessment and Guides section.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Proposal and selected reading
Due: 9am EST Monday Week 4
Weighting: 10%
A formal research proposal essay of 1000 words on the proposed research project, discussing the problem being addressed as well as what the key literature has to say about it and what you think your project will add to that literature. A proposed reading list of material to be explored for the project should accompany the proposal, which must also have the standard bibliography covering intext citations required of any academic essays. You are not expected to have read all of the material in the proposed reading list at this stage, but your proposal should reflect an awareness of the relevant literature and theory in the field of study in which your project is placed.
Referencing is to be done according to the Harvard-style Referencing Guide provided in Week 5. (No footnoting for referencing purposes).
See Assessments and Guides section for submission requirements.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Progress Report
Due: Sunday Week 8
Weighting: 20%
A formal, fully referenced report essay of 1000 words outlining where you are up to in your project. The report should reiterate the research question and aims of the project, summarise where the project is up to at this point and what remains to be done, discuss any unexpected issues that have arisen so far in your research and any problems you have encountered and how you overcame/plan to overcome them. There should be an overview of your plan of attack for the remaining research period, and a considered estimation of what you still need to do to produce your final essay.
Referencing is to be done according to the Harvard-style Referencing Guide provided in Week 5. (No footnoting for referencing purposes).
See Assessment and Guides section for submission requirements.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Major Research Essay
Due: Sunday Week 13
Weighting: 60%
The final essay must be 3500-4000 words (no additional tolerance: your essay must be between these limits). It must be fully and precisely referenced according to the Harvard-style Referencing Guide provided in Week 5 of the course and accompanied by a full Bibliography. (No footnoting for references).
The essay will discuss your project, your approach, your process of analysis and your findings. It should provide an argument that situates your issue within the relevant literature and theory and that pays attention to a variety of viewpoints and meets likely objections while clearly offering an informed perspective of your own. The essay must demonstrate an extended and sustained effort commensurable with spending a full study period on producing it.
Submission of this Assessment is in two parts:
1. A draft of your Final Essay should be submitted to the tutor by Wednesday of Week 10. You will receive feedback in relation to written expression, structure of your argument, referencing and overall presentation. The tutor will not critique content, although attention may be drawn to deficiencies in support of your argument. This feedback will be provided in Week 11, giving you two weeks to consider changes to your essay.
2. Submission of your completed Research Essay by midnight (EST) Friday of Week 13.
See Assessments and Guides for submission requirements.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Delivery and Resources
Unit webpage and technology used and required
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Please contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
Weekly Readings: required and recommended texts and/or materials
* Required Reading
Tutorial Papers in relation to the research process are available under each week.
* Recommended Reading
Links to recommended readings in relation to the research process are provided under the appropriate week. Readings held in Unit Readings are in Macquarie University Library are indicated. A link is provided on the course home page.
Reading for each individual project
Students are responsible for identifying the literature that they need to read for their research project. They should have done this by the time their Proposal is due. This material should form the proposed selected reading list which is a part of the Proposal.
Unit Schedule
Weekly schedule
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Week 1 |
Topic Selection and Research Question Formation
Submission of Research Question |
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Week 2 |
Methods of Research and Identification of Literature
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Week 3 |
Preparing a Proposal
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Week 4 |
Concepts
Submission of Proposal and select bibliography (Assessment 2) |
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Week 5 |
Good Writing and Meticulous Referencing
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Week 6 |
Focused Research and Writing
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Week 7 |
Preparing a Progress Report
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Week 8 |
Pause for Review
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Week 9 |
Identifying strengths and weaknesses
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Week 10 |
Focused Writing
Submission of Draft Essay |
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Week 11 |
Focused writing/Responding to feedback
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Week 12 |
Focused Writing/Mending Fences
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Week 13 |
Polishing Writing and Meeting Deadlines
Submission of Research Essay (Assessment 4) |
Policies and Procedures
Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Extension Request
Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
- were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
- were beyond your control
- caused substantial disruption to your academic work
- substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
- lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
- Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
- Fill in your relevant details
- Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
- Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
OUA Specific Policies and Procedures
Withdrawal from a unit after the census date
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
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.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
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.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Assessment tasks
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Undertake independent learning and research throughout the study period
- Work with other students enrolled in the unit to offer critical yet constructive comments on the work of others considered in the workshop components of the unit
- Effectively communicate understanding and analytical ability and reflection in both formal and informal written forms
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Use a wide range of digital and written resources related to the chosen essay topic and appropriately acknowledge these resources
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Proposal and selected reading
- Progress Report
- Major Research Essay