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PAIS381 Australian Civics and Democracy

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions EDST277 or SS103 or SS203 or SS217 or PDPS277
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Belinda Beattie (bbeattie@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit introduces students to the concept of what it means to be an active citizen in a democracy. Students are introduced to the mechanisms of Australian democracy, including the legal system, how laws are made, the Constitution, voting mechanisms, rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the structure and function of Federal, State and Local Government. The student is then expected to use this background as the basis for approaching, researching and analysing an issue affecting their profession or local area. The student will be asked to consider the roles of the various 'actors' in the issue, and how influence could be exerted on the issue.
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Australian Political Institutions
ISBN: 9781442504080
Singleton, G. and others, Longman 9th ed. 2009
Text refers to: Semester 2 , Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 40% 2500
Assessment Notes
Short answers
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1,2,4,5,6
Bulletin Board 10%
Assessment Notes
Online participation.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1,2,4,5,6
Project 50% 3500
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1,2,4,5,6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. argue the meaning of citizenship in Australia;
  2. describe the institutions of the political and legal process in Australia;
  3. analyse a problem as an 'active citizen' and produce possible solutions; and
  4. describe the role and influence of your profession in the Australian democratic process.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of public policy and practice is advanced by learning about citizenship is essential as this unit is taught on an external basis only by using the unit guide, which provides essential material in order to successfully complete the unit. The unit is assessed through two written assessments and online participation. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written and oral feedback on the written components of the unit. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practice their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks (written through essays) and online participation. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students will demonstrate an awareness of the global context of the subject area and they will develop an in depth knowledge of Australian citizenship, to extrapolate glovally to other societies. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students will be taught, and directed, to relevant literature and how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed (through the essays) on their ability to identify relevant literature, and on their ability to critically analyse the literature 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments (written skills; analytical skills). 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct the essay question and to integrate theory and literature into their answer. Students will need to work out how to address the question and where the most appropriate material is to answer the question. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will recognize social issues relevant to their subject area; students will be expected to use professional language and show sensitivity towards political standpoints, cultures or other groups in their written assessments. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will practice their teamwork skills through participating in online discussion postings. They will be required to discuss the weekly topics with their fellow students in a thoughtful and respectful manner (practice). 		True
   

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