Politics is not what is presented on the television news. This unit encourages students to reflect on the fundamental importance of politics for understanding and dealing with the pressing challenges of our times. Students will be introduced to key ideas such as power, the state, participation and conflict. Through these and other concepts and their practical application to topics such as inequality and disadvantage, environmental destruction, war and social justice, students will be assisted to think politically about contemporary dilemmas that impact on all our lives. Illustrative material will be drawn from Australia as well as other regions around the world.