Students
POIR7000 – Key Questions in Political Science and Public Policy
2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Govand Azeez
|
|---|---|
| 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Review 1 | 30% | No | 1st of September |
| Literature review 2 | 30% | No | 1st of October |
| Participation | 10% | No | week 13 |
| Literature review 3 | 30% | No | 1st of November |
Literature Review 1
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 1st of September
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: 1st of October
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
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: week 13
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 3
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 1st of November
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
Key Questions in Political Science and Public Policy - Seminar of Two Hours
Unit Schedule
Unit Schedule
The title of the weeks are preliminary and may be subject to change.
| Week 1 | Introduction to the Course and Introducing Key themes and Theoretical schools |
| Week 2 | What is politics? |
| Week 3 | What or who is the subject of the political act? |
| Week 4 | What is the state? |
| Week 5 | What is the market? |
| Week 6 | On the question of political truth or ideology? |
| Week 7 | Rights or Needs? |
| Sept 16- 29 Mid Semester Break | |
| Week 8 | Revolution or Reform? |
| Week 9 |
How should we understand identity? |
| Week 10 | Understanding future Challenges: Automation |
| Week 11 |
Reading Week (no lectures or tutorials) |
| Week 12 | Understanding future Challenges: Ecology |
| Week 13 | 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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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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- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
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Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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 2024.02R of the Handbook