Students
POIX101 – Australian Politics in Global Context
2017 – S1 OUA
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Bailey
Conor Keane
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
In this unit, we critically assess Australian politics from the perspective of political and economic history, through the lens of social power and financial interests, and drilling down into contemporary debates about economic crisis, globalisation, nationalism, environmental catastrophe and war. With this approach in mind, we examine key Australian political institutions, ideologies, and issues. What is the nature of Australia's key political institutions (the Constitution, the High Court, Federalism, Government and Parliament), and are they democratic and just? Could we live without them? What are some of the radical critiques of these institutions and the interests they serve? What is 'Australia', after all – a unified nation of peoples with shared identities and interests, or a construct that serves wealth and power by masking deep social fractures, or something else again? These questions should be seen as an entrée to Australian politics before embarking on the more in-depth companion unit PLT210.
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:
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay One | 30% | No | 16/4/2016 |
| Major Essay | 45% | No | 4/6/2016 |
| Reading Critique | 10% | No | Mutiple |
| Weekly Participation | 15% | No | Ongoing |
Essay One
Due: 16/4/2016
Weighting: 30%
In this first 1000 word essay, students will have an opportunity to explore one of the key Australian political institutions that we deal with in the early weeks of the unit. Essays should be submitted via turnitin. The essay topics are available on ilearn under the assessments tab, a separate word file for the essay has also been provided. Late submissions without an extension will be penalised 1 mark out of 20 for each late day.
Choose one of the following topics, making sure to reference all of the sources that you use:
- Does inequality represent a threat to Australian Democracy? Discuss
- What can the Constitutional Crisis of 1975 tell us about the ambiguities in Australia’s Constitution?
- Outline the strengths and weaknesses of Federalism, and discuss the ways in which it contributes to tensions between State and Commonwealth governments in Australia.
- Outline the key differences between the Commonwealth House of Representatives and the Senate, and discuss whether or not the later enhances or curtails democracy.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
Major Essay
Due: 4/6/2016
Weighting: 45%
Write 2000 words, +/- 10%, on one of the following topics:
- Both major political parties in Australia have a policy of mandatory detention for “unauthorized boat arrivals.” Outline the origins of this bi-partisan policy, and provide arguments either for or against its continuation.
- There has been much recent talk about the politicization of Australia’s federal public service. Discuss
- What are the key elements of “economic rationalism,” and how have they impacted on Australia over the past three decades?
- How, if at all, has Australia’s High Court contributed to indigenous people securing land rights? Discuss in relation to the High Court’s Mabo judgment
- What have been the consequences of political professionalization on Australian politics?
- What political and electoral challenges does the contemporary Liberal Party face?
- What political and electoral challenges does the contemporary Labor party face?
- Outline the political challenges that environmentalists face in Australia today
- Marxists argue that political and economic change in Australia over recent decades can be best understood through the lens of social class and capitalism. Discuss
- Can Australian foreign policy be simply understood as being a lapdog to the US?
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
Reading Critique
Due: Mutiple
Weighting: 10%
Chose one of the additional readings or a journal article/book chapter that you have found yourself and write a 500 word analysis about it. There is no need to reference or include a bibliography. This only has to be done once a semester. It is a good way of delving into a topic you chose to assess for your minor and/or major essay.
Post your reading critique in the relevant weekly forum as a word document. All reading critiques should be completed by the end of semester, but it is preferable that you post your reading critique during the time of the forum discussions for the relevant week so other students have the opportunity to look at it as this is an important opportunity for peer assisted learning.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Weekly Participation
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%
Post at least one 100-250 word response to the weekly questions. One student should start a forum thread and include their answer; then others may also respond. Do not create more than one forum thread for each question.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Delivery and Resources
Welcome to POIX101, 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 follow readings from the prescribed text book quite closely. Hence it is essential for all students to purchase a copy from the university bookshop:
Narelle Miragliotta, Wayne Errington and nicholas Barry (2013)The Australian Political System in Action (2nd edn.) South Melbourne: Oxfor University Press.
To do well in this unit it is imperative that students listen to all lectures and contribute to the discussion board on ilearn. You will enjoy the unit much more if you do. Beyond the perscribed text, I will also be recommending additional supplementary readings as we go. Students will also find the following resources useful:
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: http://elections.uwa.edu.au
NSW government website:
http://www.nsw.gov.au/government.asp
Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.goc.au/
ABC Online: http://www.abc.net.au
Australian Policy Online: http://www.apo.org.au/index.shtml
Australian Review of Public Affairs: http://australianreview.net
Online Opinion http://www.onlineopinion.com.au New Matilda Magazine www.newmatilda.com/home/default/.asp
The Whitlam Institute http://www.whitlam.org/about
The Australia Institute www.tai.org.au/
The Centre for Independent Studies http://cis.org.au/
The Green Left Weekly http://www.greenleft.org.au/
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
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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 outcome
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Assessment tasks
- Essay One
- Major Essay
- Reading Critique
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
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Assessment task
- Weekly Participation
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 outcome
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
Assessment task
- Weekly Participation
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
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Assessment tasks
- Essay One
- Major Essay
- Reading Critique
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
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Assessment tasks
- Essay One
- Major Essay
- Reading Critique
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
- 1. A sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
Assessment tasks
- Essay One
- Major Essay
- Reading Critique
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
- 2. A working knowledge of the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- 3. Familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australian political scene
- 4. Development of an analytical vocabulary for better appreciating some of the more pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
Assessment tasks
- Essay One
- Weekly Participation
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:
Assessment task
- Weekly Participation
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:
Assessment task
- Weekly Participation
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 22/03/2017 | Assignment due dates changes due to issues with updating the lecture |