Students

POIR7000 – Key Questions in Political Science and Public Policy

2022 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Govand Azeez
govand.azeez@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit aims to guide the students through some of the fundamental literature in Comparative Politics and Comparative Public Policy. The goal is to give students the opportunity to read in depth about and reflect upon key methodological and conceptual debates, so that they can acquire the fundamental theoretical and methodological tools to carry out comparative political analysis. The unit is structured as a seminar and thus is based on weekly discussions of the required readings.

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:

  • ULO1: Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as democratization, development, party systems and the political and policy implications electoral rules
  • ULO2: Engage with the key methodological debates in comparative politics and comparative public policy
  • ULO3: Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
  • ULO4: Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research
  • ULO5: Communicate views accurately and effectively in oral scholarly discussions

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

 

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% No Week 12
Literature Review 1 30% No Week 4
Literature review 2 30% No Week 7
Literature review 3 30% No Week 11

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 10%

 

Informed and constructive participation in class discussions and activities

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as democratization, development, party systems and the political and policy implications electoral rules
  • Engage with the key methodological debates in comparative politics and comparative public policy
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
  • Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research
  • Communicate views accurately and effectively in oral scholarly discussions

Literature Review 1

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 30%

 

Literature review reviewing scholarly work with regard to methodology and the connection with the broader literature

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as democratization, development, party systems and the political and policy implications electoral rules
  • Engage with the key methodological debates in comparative politics and comparative public policy
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
  • Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research

Literature review 2

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

 

Literature review reviewing scholarly work with regard to methodology and the connection with the broader literature

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as democratization, development, party systems and the political and policy implications electoral rules
  • Engage with the key methodological debates in comparative politics and comparative public policy
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
  • Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research

Literature review 3

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 30%

 

Literature review reviewing scholarly work with regard to methodology and the connection with the broader literature

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in issues such as democratization, development, party systems and the political and policy implications electoral rules
  • Engage with the key methodological debates in comparative politics and comparative public policy
  • Show competent knowledge of the theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
  • Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This is the online mode. For face to face delivery please check the other unit guide. 

Unit Schedule

Week 1 February 26 Introduction to the Course and Introducing Key themes and Theoretical schools
Week 2 March 5 What is politics?
Week 3 March 12 What or who is the subject of the political act? 
Week 4 March 19 What is the state? 
Week 5 March 26 What is the market? 
Week 6 April 2 On the question of political truth or ideology? 
Week 7 April 9 Rights or Needs? 
Sept 16- 29 Mid Semester Break
Week 8 April 30 Revolution or Reform? 
Week 9 May 7

How should we understand identity? 
Week 10 May 14 Understanding future Challenges: Automation 
Week 11 May 21

Reading Week (no lectures or tutorials)
Week 12 May 28 Understanding future Challenges: Ecology
Week 13 June 4 Concluding Remarks

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

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Student Enquiries

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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.

Unit information based on version 2022.03 of the Handbook