Students

POIR333 – Local and Global Practice

2016 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ashley Lavelle
Jumana Bayeh
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The application of disciplinary learning and the writing and speaking skills gained in other units is translated beyond the campus in this unit. Students gain practical working experience in a range of organisations that grapple with issues of politics and international relations in the constrained circumstances of their values and missions: advocacy and lobbying organisations, political consultancies, non-government organisations, local governments, and media and business organisations are some of the bodies that may support the experience that the unit offers. Preparation for the off campus experience is important and undertaken early in the semester, and staff monitor and support the student experience throughout. The cohort of the unit share their experiences of the unit in its closing stage and offer their reflections on the study to work transition they have undertaken.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Critical Reading 20% Friday, Week 6
Major Essay 40% Week 10, October 18
Take-Home Exam 40% Week 13

Critical Reading

Due: Friday, Week 6
Weighting: 20%

Students should choose one reading from the list of Required Readings provided after each week’s lecture topic, or choose a suitable alternative reading.  The aim is to critique and discuss the reading and the subject matter it raises.  No references are required other than for the reading that is chosen.  The critique should be approximately 2000 words long.  


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Major Essay

Due: Week 10, October 18
Weighting: 40%

This essay, approximately 5000 words in length, affords students the opportunity to explore a topic of interest in depth. In particular, papers should critically reflect on the idea of political practice, including paid or unpaid work students have undertaken, or other forms of political practice, including protests and campaigns, in which they have been involved, and they should incorporate one or more significant elements of what students have learned over the course of their degree.  

Students must read and refer to a minimum of 25 substantive sources.  The Harvard referencing system is preferred.  


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Take-Home Exam

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

This exam will be in a take-home form.  Students at the end of semester will be asked to respond to a series of questions.  The questions, which will cover subjects studied over the course of semester, will be provided via email or iLearn, and answers returned to the convenor by a set time.  


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Delivery and Resources

This unit will be delivered externally, with the aid of electronic resources, in particular iLearn.

Week 1: Introduction: The Failure of Political Practice: Distrust, Disillusionment, and Disengagement?

This week's workshop introduces the content and structure of the unit, as well as set the context of the challenges to meaningful political practice in an era of widespread distrust, disillusionment, and disengagement with mainstream political institutions, when mavericks all over the world are moving from the fringes to occupy centre stage.

Required Reading

Watkins, S. (2016) 'Oppositions', New Left Review, 98, March-April.

 

Week 3: What Kind of Political Practice? Institutions v Movements (debate)

This week features a debate between two staff members from the Department of Modern History, Politics, and International Relations, covering the subject of how to achieve social change: through elections and state institutions, or through social movement activism?

Required Reading

Solidarity (2009) 'Rosa Luxemburg: Reform or Revolution?', Solidarity, March 25.

 

Week 5: Political Practice in a Hostile World

The goal of achieving social change is one thing - as we saw from last week's workshop - achieving it is another. This workshop tries to explain the phenomenon of the renegade - that radical political activist who trades his revolutionary rhetoric for reform and consensus politics. What does this phenomenon reveal about the nature of political practice and its challenges?

Required Reading

Lavelle, A. (2013) 'From Soul on Ice to Soul on Fire: The Religious Conversion of Eldridge Cleaver', Politics, Religion & Ideology, 14 (1), January.

 

Week 7: The Killing of the University

This workshop deals with the crisis in Australian universities, from their underfunding, to a user-pays system creating large debts for students, to their corporate-driven vocational culture that has led to offering of courses involving internships...

Required Reading

Davies, B. (2005) 'The (im)possibility of intellectual work in neoliberal regimes', Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 26:1, 1-14.

 

Week 9: The Killing of the University

This workshop takes up where Week 7 workshop left off, continuing the reflexive analysis of theory and practice in the contemporary Australian university.

Required Reading

Hill, R. (2015) Selling Students Short: Why You Don't Get the University Education You Deserve, Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, Chapter 6.

 

Week 11: Business as Political Practice

Following on from the previous workshop's discussions of the enmeshing of the university and corporate worlds, this workshops deals with business as political practice, or the various ways in which aspects of business conduct constitute politics, whether it be preserving the wage labour system, lobbying or benefiting from war. This is important preparation for students who will soon be entering - or will likely have spent time in - the business world.

Required Reading

Gilding, M. (2006) ‘Class and Elite Analysis’, in Parkin, J., Summers, J. & Woodward, D. (eds) Government, Politics, Power and Policy in Australia, Election Update (8th) Edition, Frenchs Forest: Pearson.

 

Week 13: Psychopolitical Practice

This workshop deals with the variety of psychological dimensions to political practice, including the contemporary pandemic of depression and its implications for governments and people, and their capacity to make change.

Required Reading

Hart, J.T. (2009) ‘Mental Health in a Sick Society: What are People For?’, in Panitch, L. and Leys, C., Eds, Morbid Symptoms: Health Under Capitalism, Socialist Register 2010, London: Merlin Press.

Policies and Procedures

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment task

  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam

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

  • Gain a comprehension of the variety of meanings of political practice, as well as its multi-dimensions
  • Understand some of the different modes of political practice
  • Appreciate the various ways in which commercial and non-commercial organisations engage in Political Practice
  • Be able to nominate some of the limits and failures of political practice in the 21st century western polity
  • Be capable of applying key aspects of study learned over the course of one's degree to the challenges of political practice, both in this specific unit and beyond

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reading
  • Major Essay
  • Take-Home Exam