Students

POL 831 – Parties, Elections and Campaigns

2019 – S2 External

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Conor Keane
Contact via via email
N/A
by email appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPPP or MPASR or GradDipPASR or GradCertPP or GradDipPP or MIntLawGovPP or MPPPMDevStud or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MPASRMDevStud or MPPPMPASR or MPPPMIntRel or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCTerrorismMCrim
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit investigates the electoral context of policy making. It does this by deepening students’ knowledge of the key institutions, actors and phenomena of electoral politics across the liberal democratic world. Students will learn more about the history, evolution and impact of political parties; the impact that different electoral systems have; changing modes of campaigning used by parties, interest groups and social movements; and the impact of populism on liberal democracy.

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:

  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalty

“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.”

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Participation 10% No Weekly
Take-Home Exam 20% No 14 September 11:55pm
Online Quizzes 20% No Ongoing
Major Essay 50% No 26 October 11:55pm

Online Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Each of the relevant weeks where an internal tutorial is being held, an external discussion forum has been established. What this means is that the week 1 material is to be answered in week 2. Week 2 material in week 3 and so on as per a normal tutorial that trails a week behind. Students will not be able to see what other students post till they post their own. As participation on the discussion forum on ilearn replaces on-campus participation (and the associated 10% of the overall mark), students are asked to not only participate by responding to the set questions, but also by responding to one another. Once you post your responses you can then respond to the points made by the other external students so that a conversation develops about the content.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Take-Home Exam

Due: 14 September 11:55pm
Weighting: 20%

This take-home exam is designed to test students' knowledge of the content from the first half of the semester. Answers will be submitted via turnitin. More details to come once the semester starts.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Online Quizzes

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Students will be asked to complete 10 quizzes worth 2% each throughout the semester. The quiz questions will be available via ilearn and will be posted weekly from week 3.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties

Major Essay

Due: 26 October 11:55pm
Weighting: 50%

The essay, approximately 3000 words in length, provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of interest in depth. Students should develop a considered answer to a specific question based on reading a range of sources wider than simply the key readings (Students must read and refer to a minimum of 15 substantive sources). More details will be provided on ilearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Delivery and Resources

1 x 1-1.5 hour pre-recorded lecture available via iLearn

Participation in the online discussion forum on iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Assessment tasks

  • Online Participation
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Online Quizzes
  • Major Essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Assessment tasks

  • Online Participation
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Major Essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Assessment tasks

  • Online Participation
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Major Essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain and critically analyse the way in which political parties and party systems have evolved
  • Identify the range of actors and institutions involved in electoral politics, including using the methods of comparative politics to compare these actors and institutions
  • Analyse the role of different actors and institutions in shaping voting behaviour
  • Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved in this subject, including debates around the declining support for liberal democracy and political parties
  • Analyse one of the major causes of contemporary democratic dissatisfaction by comparing cases from across the liberal democratic world
  • Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of evidence about the policy process, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument

Assessment tasks

  • Online Participation
  • Take-Home Exam
  • Online Quizzes
  • Major Essay

Changes since First Published

Date Description
28/07/2019 As per last request: due dates changed to match what Glenn mentions in the prerecorded lectures.