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PAIS551 Comparative Federalism: Australia, USA and Canada

Updated: 15 January 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering Not offered in 2010
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
N/A N/A Non-Mandatory Intensive school cancelled
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PAIS351 or PAIS451 or POLS251 or POLS351
Notes

offered in odd numbered years
Combined Units PAIS351 - Comparative Federalism: Australia, USA and Canada
Coordinator(s) To be advised
Unit Description

This unit will expose students to the theoretical and methodological tools of Comparative Politics. A unifying theme will be federalism, and the USA and Canada will provide comparative case studies of constitutions, legislatures, judiciaries, fiscal federalism, inter and intra-state federalism, political parties, pressure groups, bureacracies and other institutions. Contemporary political issues will be examined as well as regional and global challenges facing federal states.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Comparing Federal Systems
ISBN: 9781553391883
Watts, R.L., Mcgill-Queen's University Press 3rd ed. 2008
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
Comparative Federalism, Theory and Practice
ISBN: 9780415364553
Burgess, M., Routledge 2006
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

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

Canadian Federalism: Performance, Effectiveness and Legitimacy
ISBN: 9780195425123
Bakvis, H. and Skogstad, G., Oxford University Press 2nd ed. 2001
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and 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
Report 50% 5000
Assessment Notes
research paper
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1,2,4,5,6
Final Examination 2 hrs 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1,2,4,5,6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. compare and contrast political systems;
  2. have an in-depth comprehension of the dynamics of federalism, especially in the USA and Canada;
  3. possess a critical understanding of the importance of institutional influences on the politics of nations;
  4. construct detailed theories about the nature of federal systems of government;
  5. form generalizations based on in-depth observation and analysis;
  6. offer predictions on outcomes, given changes to institutions and society;

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students will deepen their knowledge of advanced concepts and skills underpinning the political and international studies discipline, which will be taught through lectures and tutorials. It will be assessed through a written report and an examination. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
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 the essay). 		True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students will demonstrate an awareness of the global context of the subject area and they will develop an awareness of the need for tolerance and inter-cultural understanding. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are encouraged to develop research skills in collecting and evaluating data, including the skills to assess the utility of information, identify the most useful sources of information and critically analyse and examine those sources. 		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 conceptualise the essay question and formulate a range of solutions to both research and presentation. Collect, collate and analyse relevant information to assist problem solving (practice). 		True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the assignment questions and discussions in online postings. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will practice working collaboratively and network effectively to solve problems on the discussion board (Blackboard) and in tutorials taking initiative and leading others in this environment. They will also negotiate and assert their own values and respect the values and contributions of others on the discussion board and in their own essays. 		True
   

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