Course coordinator
Dr Joff Lelliott
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Politic Sc & Internat Studies
This course provides the foundation for future study in public policy and in political science, which will give students the key skills for employability in the public sector and non-government organisations. It provides an introductory study of Australian system of government focusing on key political institutions such as parliament, cabinet, federalism, the constitution, High Court, parties, and the public service. POLS1101 explains how the Australian political system works, highlighting both the formal structures and informal practices characteristic of Australian politics. POLS1101 develops the research, writing and analytical skills required for further study in political science and related courses.
POLS1101 is an introductory lecture and tutorial course which examines the ideas, interests and institutions that shape Australia’s political system. We will discuss major contemporary political and policy issues, such as:
- Disillusionment with the major parties and the rise of minor parties, independents and populists
- The changing role of the media in the social media age
- The proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and its relationship to broader struggles for political rights
- 'Blame games' between state and federal governments over key policy issues, such as in health care, education and housing
POLS1101 is an introductory elective for BA students wishing to complete a major in Political Science.
Course requirements
Assumed background
No prior study of politics or government is required.
An interest in politics and government will help students, as will keeping abreast of political developments by reading the newspaper, listening to podcasts etc.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
GT100, POLS7100
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Joff Lelliott
Tutor
Mr Simon Kelly
Miss Jacinta Zylstra
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
In addition to the lecture programme, POLS1101 offers a 9-week tutorial program, starting in Week 2. Tutorials provide an opportunity to consolidate and develop your understanding of themes and ideas introduced at the previous week's lecture (and in the associated readings). Students sign themselves up for tutorials by completing a list of tutorial preferences through My Timetable class allocation system.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of POLS1101 is to explain how the Australian political system works and to assist students toﾠdevelop the research, writing and analytical skills needed for further studies in political science and similar disciplines.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a good knowledge of the Australian system of government.
LO2.
Have some insight into the similarities and differences between Australia's system of government and those of other countries.
LO3.
Convey complex ideas and information in spoken and written form.
LO4.
Take part in Australian politics and government as an informed citizen.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection | Tutorials - written reflections and participation | 20% |
24/07/2024 - 23/10/2024 |
| Essay/ Critique | Minor Essay (1100 words) | 20% |
27/08/2024 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Major Essay (2000 words) | 30% |
8/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Tutorials - written reflections and participation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
24/07/2024 - 23/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Part A: Preparation (12 marks)
Prior to the tutorial, write a post on your tutorial 'Padlet', reflecting on a key question, theme or issue that emerged during the relevant lecture. Each post should be 200-250 words (and no longer). They are worth 2 marks each. You should complete 6 posts across the semester. More detail on this aspect will be provided on the Blackboard at the beginning of semester. Your reflections will help inform tutorial discussions with your peers.
Part B: Participation (8 marks)
8 marks are granted for meaningful and participation in tutorials. Attend the tutorial (ensuring your attendance is registered by your tutor) and meaningfully participate in class discussions and activities. You may miss one week without penalty. Marks are for active participation. That is, preparing, engaging intelligently and contributing ideas and information. Simply turning up is NOT participation; if you attend all tutorials but never speak, you will get zero. Of course, meaningful and active participation can take many forms. While making a considered argument is a good way of demonstrating your engagement, so is asking a question of your tutor, considering a new idea in discussion with the person next to you or contributing to a group activity. Just make sure you come to class prepared and willing to engage respectfully with your fellow students.
NOTE: If you are not able to attend your tutorial in a given week for a valid reason (such as a documented illness or family emergency), you may complete a short piece of work to register your participation. For each missed week, record a 1.5-to-2 minute oral reflection on one of the readings for that week and send it to your tutor. In particular, you should outline a key challenge for Australian politics and/or society that emerges from the topic discussed in the reading: why is this a challenge and what might be done to solve or mitigate it?
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please contact the course coordinator or tutor directly if you cannot attend a tutorial.
Minor Essay (1100 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
27/08/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
For this assignment, sources and referencing are critical - be certain to read the instructions below very carefully.
Students will evaluate the merits of one of the following statements:
Statements
- The 'Australian settlement' is no longer a useful device through which to analyse contemporary Australian politics.
- Australia should shift from a parliamentary to presidential system.
- At federal level, Australia should abolish the Senate (thus becoming a unicameral parliament).
- The Australian constitution is too difficult to change.
Sources and referencing
For this assignment you are writing a conventional essay, but your sources and referencing are the most important marking criterion.
You should have at least SIX sources which must include at least one of each of the following:
- A book with one or two authors
- A chapter in an edited book
- An academic (i.e. peer-reviewed) journal article
- A credible on-line source (e.g. a quality newspaper, a think tank document, a govt web-site)
Course readings may be used for the assignment but will not count as one of the types of source you need to find - you must find these for yourself!
Referencing is a key criterion for this assignment. That means it must be a key focus for you. Students must use one of the two referencing systems outlined in the POLSIS Essay Guide (see section 3.4 of the ECP for the link). This includes fully referencing in the text and providing a list at the end that contains all the information for each reference, in the correct order, with the correct spacing and punctation. Students MUST use the referencing style as set out in the School's Essay Guide, not some other variation of the style. Self-evidently, the Essay Guide is a critical tool for this task! Author-in-text is strongly preferred, but students may use footnotes if they wish.
Other
- Your essay must meet all the normal criteria for an essay (see the major essay for some of the key features of an essay).
- Please list the question chosen for the essay in the title of your submission.
- The assignment must be submitted electronically through Turnitin in Word form (not PDF). Penalties will apply for late submissions (10% per day) and excessive variation from the set word limit- more than 10% variation from the word limit will result in a penalty of 10%.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Major Essay (2000 words)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
8/10/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student will write a research essay. A list of essay questions will be made available near the start of semester. Alternatively, students may choose a topic of their own, with approval for a specific question from the course coordinator (this must be agreed before the mid-semester break).
Your essay must:
- have an introduction stating your central argument and telling the reader clearly the key points you will raise in the essay
- have a proper structure, with paragraphs that deal with one topic each, linking and signposting sentences where necessary, and findings that flow logically from the evidence and analysis presented
- define terms used in the essay
- have a conclusion
You must use a range of relevant information in your essay including:
- At least TEN academic sources (any combination of academic journal articles, chapters from edited scholarly books and scholarly books)
- These should be supplemented with newspaper articles, government reports, papers from think tanks and other non-academic sources as appropriate.
Assignments must be typed (1.5 spaced), fully referenced and include a reference list. All assignments submitted are to be the original and individual work of the student submitting them. The assignment must be submitted electronically through Turnitin in Word form (not PDF). Penalties will apply for late submissions (10% per day) and excessive variation from the set word limit- more than 10% variation from the word limit will result in a penalty of 10% . Please consult the School Essay guide for additional guidance on referencing systems. Please list the question chosen for the essay in the title of your submission.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The final piece of assessment for this course will be a central exam conducted in the central exam period. Students will have 2 hours to complete the exam. Students will be required to answer two questions in essay form. Students will be required to complete one question from Part A of the exam questions and the other from Part B. The topics covered in Part A correspond approximately with the lectures in the first half of the course (from 'Politics and Power' to 'Governance and Public Policy'), while the topics covered in Part B correspond with the lectures in the second half of the course (from 'Indigenous Politics and Policy' to 'The Future of Australian Politics'). Students will choose one of 6 possible questions from Part A and one of 6 possible questions from Part B.
Each of the two questions will be worth 15 marks. The maximum score for the assessment will be 30 marks.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student does not address the question, shows no evidence of reading and minimal comprehension of the issues at hand. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student addresses the question poorly and shows very little evidence of reading. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student makes an effort to establish a single major argument for the essay and employs some research which is correlated with the argument. Makes a visible effort to achieve adequate grammar, spelling and punctuation. Evidence of attempting to achieve a recognisable narrative flow appears throughout the assignment. The student addresses the question and shows evidence of required research and a basic grasp of the issues at hand. However, falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student makes a reasonable effort to provide evidence to support a visible argument and employs an adequate research base to support the argument. Achieves a reasonable, if not completely coherent standard of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A recognisable narrative flow is sustained throughout the essay. The student answers the question and shows evidence of adequate research and a degree of understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student provides suitable evidence to support an argument and employs a comprehensive research base that directly relates to the topic, though it may not completely support the argument. Achieves decent levels of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The student answers the question in a direct, well supported fashion and shows evidence of some wide reading and a reasonable understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a very good grasp of the chosen topic and provides a considerable amount of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The student employs a reasonably extensive and well-organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument and achieves a high level of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The student answers the question in a direct, reasonably sophisticated fashion, employs wide research and shows a sound understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a highly sophisticated grasp of the topic and succeeds in addressing the question by providing a high level of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The student employs an extensive and well organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument and achieves impeccable levels of grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The student answers the question in a direct and elegant fashion, employs significant research and shows a deep understanding of the issues at hand. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be awarded on the following basis:
1. Fail 1 - 19%
2. Fail 20 - 44%
3. Fail 45 – 49%
4. Pass 50 - 64 %
5. Credit 65 - 74 %
6. Distinction 75 - 84 %
7. High Distinction 85 - 100 %
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Word Count and Word Limit Penalty
Unless otherwise indicated, in the case of written submissions with a specified word count, you are given a +10% leeway on the upper word limit. If your written submission is over this leeway limit, it will attract a 10 percentage point penalty. For example, if your essay is 1,500 words, you may write up to 1,650 before attracting a word count penalty. If your essay exceeds the upper word limit, it will attract a 10% word count penalty. Therefore, if your essay is worth 40 marks, you will lose 4 marks from your allotted grade. Unless specified, penalties only apply to exceeding the word length, not for failure to write a sufficient amount.
Students should note:
• The Author-date in-text referencing system will count toward the word length;
• References in the Footnote referencing system will not count toward the word length. If you are using footnotes, any content included in footnotes beyond the specific text reference will count towards the word length.
Marking Criteria/Rubric
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Please remember to visit the POLS1101 Blackboard site regularly and to check your UQ student email account for notices and updates.
Essay Guide
The School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide can be downloaded from the School’s Student Support webpage.
The Guide sets out guidelines you should follow in preparing written assignments.
Essay Writing Assistance
The School of Political Science and International Studies schedules regular “drop-in” sessions designed to provide one-on-one advice and assistance in essay planning and writing.
There is no need to make an appointment and you are encouraged to bring your essay with you.
The day and time of these sessions will be finalized at the beginning of each semester and published on the Student Support webpage.
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills and thus your academic performance in this course.
Library Resources
UQ Library offers training in software, assignment writing, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Political Science and International Studies are primarily located in the Central Library.
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the BEL/HASS Librarians for assistance.
Email: librarians@library.uq.edu.au
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Introduction and Politics & Power As well as welcoming everyone to the course and discussing some key aspects of the Course Profile (ECP), we will also encounter some foundational concepts in political science (power, the state and democracy) and analyse claims that we face a crisis of trust in Australian politics. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Early Australian politics This week we encounter Australia's political origins from two different vantage points. The first considers the complex (and continuing) socio-political orders developed by Indigenous peoples over tens of thousand of years, with distinctive understandings of country, law and language. The second focuses on the nation state that emerged out of white settlement. Here we discuss: terra nullius and white Australia, debates over economic protectionism, relations between the early colonies and the eventual approval of a national Constitution. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Introduction This tutorial introduces you to your tutor and discusses the introductory lecture Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Government in Australia Here, we consider Australia's Constitution and federal system. Why does the constitution not say what is means? Should there be a bill of rights? And what causes the 'blame games' between state and federal governments? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Early Australian Politics Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
NO LECTURE - Ekka Holiday (Weds only) This week you have the Ekka public holiday. Maybe a good chance to do some more work on your minor essay (or perhaps start it). |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet This topic introduces Australia's 'Washminster mutation'. We examine the powers of the Prime Minister in comparison to the US Presidency, the challenges of a 'bicameral' legislature and consider how essential diversity is in parliamentary representation. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Government in Australia Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Elections and Political Parties Australia's elections are very well-organised and run. But is the electoral system as democratic as many Australians like to believe? We also consider the central role of political parties and seek to explain the now decades-long rise of minor parties. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Governance, Integrity and Public Policy Public policy touches on every aspect of our lives, but its mechanisms are not always obvious. What is 'governance'? Who should we hold to account for policy failures? And why is policy not always 'rational'? This week we consider these questions with reference to a variety of policy areas. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Elections and political parties Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Indigenous Politics & Policy Here, we focus on the political ideas and activism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Indigenous-settler relations. We compare understandings of sovereignty and country, consider struggles for political rights and constitutional change and critically evaluate government policies towards Indigenous people. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Governance, Integrity and Public Policy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Movements, campaigns and the media This topic focuses on influence. We will discuss the agenda-setting and framing powers of the Australian media, whether debates over media ownership hold relevance in the digital age and possible responses to misinformation. We will also consider strategies for political advocacy, with a case study on the progressive group GetUp. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Indigenous politics & policy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK NO LECTURES THIS WEEK |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Gender & Sexuality We focus on the ways in which gender shapes experiences and understandings of Australian politics. We will compare feminist understandings of politics and consider gender differences in voting. We will also examine recent debates over sexual and reproductive rights, care work and gender identity. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Multiculturalism and populism Recent governments have made much of Australia's increasingly multicultural character. And yet, we are regularly criticised by international organisations for human rights violations in relation to treatment of refugees. We consider this apparent contradiction and make links to the rise of radical right populism. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Gender and sexuality Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Class, inequality and welfare While the importance of class is contested, there can be little doubt that economic inequality is a key influence on contemporary Australian life. This week we examine welfare in Australia from a comparative perspective. Just how lucky is the 'lucky country'? And why are social programs becoming increasingly 'conditional'? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Tutorial |
Multiculturalism and populism Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
The Future of Australian Politics We wrap up the course by considering future challenges for Australia's democracy and also prepare for the exam Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.