Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700294

Coordinator Chantal Rozairo Opens in new window

Description We live in an increasingly interconnected world where international trade, digital communication and flows of migrants and cultures across borders appear to undermine the importance of national communities. Despite this, everyday life is still profoundly influenced by the decisions which national governments make and the powers they exercise. This subject introduces Australian political institutions, processes and contemporary issues. It traces democracy beyond Parliamentary representation to encompass active citizenship, through which public opinion is formed and expressed. Students will identify key political issues in contemporary Australia, understand how political institutions respond, and develop the skills to contribute to public debates.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Studies in Human Society, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects HUMN 1005 - Australia and the World HUMN 1006 - Australia and the World (WSTC) HUMN 1052 - Australian Politics and Active Citizenship

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in Extended College programs must have passed 40 credit points of the preparatory subjects in these programs.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Explain Australia�fs representative systems of government.
2. Explain Australia�fs federal system.
3. Identify key issues in Australian foreign policy.
4. Participate in contemporary public debates using a variety of written genres.

Subject Content

1. What is liberal democracy? To what extent do Australian political institutions reflect liberal democratic principles?
- The origins and development of Australian Federation
- Responsible government: representative democracy and the policy process
- The Australian State: The Federal system and the Constitution, the legislature, the cabinet, the judiciary, and the public service
2. Political representation: reflecting the political will?
- Australia's electoral system and elections: How democratic are they?
- The history and development of the major parties
- The role of minor parties and independents in Australian politics
- Communal rights in Australian democracy, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights
3. Australia in the world
- Thinking about foreign policy the traditional agenda/traditions in Australian foreign policy
- The changing foreign policy agenda in the 21st century (e.g. human rights, environment, borders, migration, terrorism, aid, the changing nature of citizenship)
- Australia's engagement with Asia the challenge in the 21st century?
4. Political processes and the public sphere
- Media and political discourse in the digital age
- Gender politics and the representation of women
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the political sphere
- Citizen participation, engagement and activism
1. What is liberal democracy? To what extent do Australian political institutions reflect liberal democratic principles?
- The origins and development of Australian Federation
- Responsible government: representative democracy and the policy process
- The Australian State: The Federal system and the Constitution, the legislature, the cabinet, the judiciary, and the public service
2. Political representation: reflecting the political will?
- Australia's electoral system and elections: How democratic are they?
- The history and development of the major parties
- The role of minor parties and independents in Australian politics
- Communal rights in Australian democracy, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights
3. Australia in the world
- Thinking about foreign policy? the traditional agenda/traditions in A