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Year:

PAIS570 Contemporary Issues in Australian Politics

Updated: 20 January 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 Off Campus C - Internet access required
Armidale Semester 1 On Campus C - Internet access required
Intensive School(s) None
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 PAIS370 or PAIS470
Notes

offered in even numbered years

Combined Units PAIS370 - Contemporary Issues in Australian Politics
Coordinator(s) Anthony Lynch (alynch@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit will critically examine a number of political issues facing Australia including health policy, environmentalism, indigenous issues and federalism, to name a few. It will enable students to explore topics more deeply, enabling them to specialise according to their interests. Students wishing to undertake further study will find this unit helps prepare them for higher level research and writing.

Materials No text required
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 50% 5000
Assessment Notes
Research Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 16 GA: 1,2,4,5,6
Final Examination 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 16 GA: 1,2,4,5,6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Possess written and oral arguments based upon evidence;
  2. recognise different perspectives in contemporary political debates;
  3. develop and identify the political agenda;
  4. analyse public policy, its background, formulation and effects;
  5. research political issues in Australia;
  6. develop postgraduate level research and analytical skills;

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 one written essay 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 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) 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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