Australia is one of the world’s oldest liberal democracies.  This longevity is due, in part, to institutional design.  A close examination of Australia’s political institutions reveals both stability and evolution from their original design.  This course explores this stability and change dynamic through an examination of the Australian political system. It provides students with an overview of the cleavages that characterize Australia and the institutions that attempt to manage them.  This course concentrates on formal political institutions paying particular attention to the constitution, institutions of government (e.g. High Court, Parliament, federalism), and electoral competition. We will also compare Australia to other advanced democracies enhancing our understanding of the Australian state.

Upon completing this course students should be able to:

1.     Critically analyse the structure and dynamics of Australian political institutions

2.     Analyse the contribution of institutions to our understanding of Australian politics

3.     Apply the various analytical frameworks of political science to Australian institutions

4.     Be able to place Australian political institutions in comparative perspective by making reference to other advanced democracies

5.     Have developed their research, writing, and verbal presentation skills.

Mid-Term 20% (Outcomes: 1, 2, 3)

Research Paper (6-8 pages, 1500-2000 words) 30%    (Outcomes: 1, 3, 5)

Simulation Participation 10% (Outcomes: 1, 4, 5)

Simulation Presentation 10% (Outcomes: 4, 5)

Final Exam 30% (Outcomes: 1, 2, 3)

2 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial per week

POLS 1002 AND 6 units of 1000-level POLS courses.

none

To be determined

I do not anticipate any peculiar requirements.