The first aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the key concepts in the discipline of Political Science: power, influence, authority, legitimacy, coercion, conflict, and democracy.  The second aim is to introduce the concepts and institutions of the political process.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature and significance of politics and governance;
2. critically analyse some of the key concepts in political science;
3. apply concepts and theories used in the study of political science to the analysis of interests, institutions and behaviour;
4. demonstrate the capacity to use different research methods used to investigate political phenomena; and
5. have developed their research, writing, and verbal presentation skills.

Research-Led Teaching

Students will be exposed to Political Science's most influential research, drawing from foundational works and the latest developments. This will include research that relies on quantitative methods, which will be presented in a way that assumes no prior statistics training.

Required Resources

There is no class textbook. All readings will be posted on Wattle in the relevant week's folder.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	19-23 FebClass Introduction; Science, Politics, Political Science
2	26 Feb-1MarThinking Like a Political Scientist
3	4-8 MarPolitical Attitudes and Behaviour	Quiz 1
4	12-15 MarCollective Action and Political Institutions
5	18-22 MarSovereignty, the Nation, and the Interstate System	Quiz 2
6	25-28 MarDemocracy	Exercise 1: 26 MarchQuiz 3 opens 30 March (closes 19 April)
7	15-19 AprNon-Democracy
8	22-26 AprInstitutions, Constitutions, and Introduction to Typologies	Exercise 2: 23 April
9	29 Apr- 3 MayIntroduction to Veto Players and Multilevel Governance	Quiz 4
10	6-10 MayLegislatures, Executives, and Judiciaries
11	13-17 MayElectoral Systems, Political Parties, & Party Systems	Quiz 5
12	20-24 MayOverview & Wrap-Up	Exercise 3: 21 May

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial participation is part of students' mark in this class. Tutorial registration will take place in February via My Timetable. Please check the Wattle page for information on when tutorials meet.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Participation	10 %	*	1,2,3,4,5
Quizzes	10 %	*	1,2,3,4,5
Political Analysis Exercise #1 (400 words)	5 %	26/03/2024	1,2,3,4,5
Political Analysis Exercise #2 (600 words)	15 %	23/04/2024	1,2,3,4,5
Political Analysis Exercise #3 (750 words)	25 %	21/05/2024	1,2,3,4,5
Final exam	35 %	*	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation comprises 10% of the total mark for this class. See above.

Examination(s)

Quizzes take place throughout the semester. The final exam is scheduled through the Exams office. Details will be made available on the class Wattle site once the Exams Office sets a date and time.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial Participation

Tutorials are in person and make up 10% of the final grade in the class. Tutorial marks consist of three main components, described in greater detail in Wattle: 

• physical presence
• thoughtful and thorough engagement with the material and conversation 
• respectful engagement with the tutor and other students. 

Assessment Task 2

Quizzes

Quizzes comprise 10% of the final grade in the class.

• There are 5 quizzes throughout the semester.
• Quizzes are pass/fail. Students who get 10 or above out of 20 on a quiz get 100% on that quiz. Students who get less than 10 get 0% on that quiz.
• One failed quiz will be dropped from the overall mark. Therefore, students who successfully complete at least 4 quizzes get 100%, 3 successfully completed quizzes = 75%, 2 successfully completed quizzes = 50%, and one successfully completed quiz = 25%. Students who successfully complete 4 quizzes are nonetheless encouraged to take the 5th, as the these are excellent learning tools and a good way to prepare for the final exam.

Assessment Task 3

Political Analysis Exercise #1 (400 words)

This exercise represents one of the first stages in the process of writing a political science paper: starting a literature review. Students will select one article from a list provided by the conveners. The assessment will be discussed in lectures and further information is on the class Wattle site.

Assessment Task 4

Political Analysis Exercise #2 (600 words)

This exercise represents an important next step in political science writing: an extended literature review, of the article selected in Exercise 1 as well as a second article from a list provided by the conveners. The assessment will be discussed in lectures and further information can also be found on the class Wattle site.

Assessment Task 5

Political Analysis Exercise #3 (750 words)

This exercise represents the body of a political science paper: the analysis section. Building on the work done in Exercises 1 and 2, students will source at least two additional pieces of academic work and will provide an analysis of all four pieces of work. The assessment will be discussed in lectures and further information can also be found on the class Wattle site.

Assessment Task 6

Final exam

The final exam will be held during the ANU examination period. The exam is cumulative (i.e. covers content from Weeks 1-12 inclusive). The structure and format will be announced on Wattle as soon as the Exams Office sets a time and day. Any questions about exam scheduling should be directed to the Exams Office .

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of written assessments requires an extension .

Students who are unable to take a quiz or the final exam must apply for an exam deferral.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Students who submit their Turnitin assignments will receive their grade and comments in the Turnitin file within 2 weeks of submission. Comments will be inserted into the Turnitin file and/or will appear at the end of the document. Assessments received after the deadline will be marked and returned in the order received (even if the student has received an extension).

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

There is no assignment resubmission.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students