2019 Undergraduate Courses
  • 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 Major | 2019 

Studying Politics at UOW involves examining the origins and nature of power, consent, authority, and consensus that underpin social and global order. In the Politics Major we examine and explore political institutions, culture, class, gender, ethnicity, political economy, political theory and international relations. A Politics major aims to give you an understanding of how politics can and does operate at many levels—from the gender politics of the bedroom, home or workplace, to the government of nation states, and into the international realm. The study of politics is not just to do with how people organise power in the here and now, it also 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, studying Politics helps you engage with complex ideas about the individual, government and society. 

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the UOW Course Finder.

Major Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this major students will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Evaluate different political systems and the contexts in which they operate
2 Critically analyse political issues and policy debates
3 Evaluate the influence of key political thinkers and their influence on contemporary debates
4 Apply different research methods used to investigate political phenomena

Subjects Required for Major Study

Students studying the Politics major will complete at least 48 credit points as outlined below: 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
Year 1 Core
POL 150 Government, Power and Political Systems 6
Year 2 Core
INTS206 Methods in International Studies and Politics 6
Year 3 Core
POL 304 Power and the State (Capstone) 6

Electives:

Plus a minimum of 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
POL 202 Politics in the USA 6
POL 204 Politics and the Media 6
POL 221 Australian Politics 6
POL 306 Complex Peace Operations 6
POL 308 The Politics of Asian Development 6
POL 309 Global Political Economy 6
POL 310 Twentieth Century Dictatorships 6
POL 311 Politics of the Middle East 6
POL 326 Global Inequality 6
POL 327 Culture and Politics 6
POL 328 Special Topics in Politics 6
POL 345 Politics Internship 6
POL 346 Australian National Internship Program 12
POL 347 Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program 12
A maximum of TWO of the following can be included in the 30 credit points of electives:
INTS121 Global Politics and Power 6
INTS200 Model United Nations 6
INTS204 Global Aid and Development: Challenges and Prospects 6
INTS207 Conflict, Peace & Security 6
STS 302 Climate Change Policy, Possible Futures 6

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Minor Study

A 24 credit point minor in Politics is available. Information is available on the 2019 LHA General Schedule of Minors page.

Students cannot complete both a major and minor in Politics.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

Students in the Politics Major can apply to the Discipline Leader to complete an Internship under the subjects POL 345, POL 346, or POL 347.

  • POL 345, Politics Internship, enables students to undertake internships in relevant political offices in the Illawarra or Sydney attached to the office of an elected politician, or working within a part of government bureaucracy. Students will undertake duties as directed by their supervisor in that institution.
  • POL 346, Australian National Internship Program (ANIP), is highly competitive and by application to the ANU. If selected students will undertake two months or more full-time work in as a parliamentary intern based in the offices of Members of Parliament and Senators and engaging with a range of activities that shape national policy-making. Placements in the Public Service or other agencies are also possible. Enrolment in POL 346 is conditional on being selected for the ANIP.
  • POL 347, Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program (UCWIP), provides interns with a unique perspective of the US political system and institutions over a two-month placement. In-office experiences will vary widely according to the needs of the congressional hosts but will typically include administrative functions, constituent liaison and legislative research and support. Interns are encouraged to attend hearings, briefings and press conferences both on and off Capitol Hill in addition to the UCWIP-organised briefings at the US State Department and the Australian Embassy.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Other Information

For further information email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 5 November, 2018