- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Politics
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
The discipline of Politics employs an exciting, vibrant and constantly changing body of ideas, approaches and methods to study the distribution of power and the workings of government and international organisations. The Politics program offers subjects in political theory, international relations, Australian politics, comparative politics, the politics of developing countries, public policy, culture and media. Students should study as broadly as possible across the areas offered by the discipline.
The purpose of the major is to acquaint students with key areas of Politics as a discipline. Students examine the origins and nature of consent, authority, and consensus, which underpin the social order. Many factors are covered in this examination; political institutions, political economy, culture, class, gender and ethnicity. Politics can and does occur at many levels, from international relations to the nation state, from local communities to the individual.
The study of politics is not just to do with politics in the here and now, but concerns itself with both the past and the future. Whether it is a country being studied, relations between countries, or a body of political ideas, politics engages us with choices about how to live life and how best to contribute to society. Graduates have the skills desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, domestically and internationally.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Major students will be able to:
- Evaluate different political systems and the contexts in which they operate;
- Critically analyse political issues and policy debates;
- Evaluate the influence of key political thinkers and their influence on contemporary debates;
- Apply different research methods used to investigate political phenomena.
Subjects Required for Major Study
A major in Politics consists of at least 48 credit points comprised as outlined below.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| POL 150 | Government, Power and Political Systems | 6 | Autumn |
| INTS206 | Methods in International Studies and Politics | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| POL 304 | Power and the State(Capstone) | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| Electives | |||
| Plus 30 credit points from the following. At least 18 credit points must be at 300-level. | |||
| POL 201 | Key Concepts and Thinkers in Political Theory | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| POL 202 | Politics in the USA | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| POL 221 | Australian Politics | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| POL 204 | Politics and the Media | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| POL 305 | Politics Internship | 12 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| POL 306 | Complex Peace Operations | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| POL 311 | Politics of the Middle East | 6 | First Offered 2018 |
| POL 308 | The Politics of Asian Development | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| POL 309 | Global Political Economy | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| POL 310 | Twentieth Century Dictatorships | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
| POL 326 | Global Inequality | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| POL 327 | Culture and Politics | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| POL 328 | Special Topics in Politics | 6 | Autumn, Spring First Offered 2018 |
| Students may up to TWO of the following in their elective subjects | |||
| INTS121 | Global Politics and Power | 6 | Spring |
| INTS207 | Conflict, Peace & Security | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| INTS200 | Model United Nations | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| INTS204 | Introduction to Global Development | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| STS 302 | Climate Change Policy, Possible Futures | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2018 |
| STS 303 | Social Policy, Innovation and Politics | 6 | Spring First Offered 2018 |
Subjects Required for Minor Study
A minor in Politics is available and consists of at least 24 credit points of subjects from the schedule of the politics major.
Honours
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au