General Information
Australian Government and Politics is an undergraduate elective subject offered by the Faculty of Law. This subject is a practical examination of the legal and constitutional framework within which Australia is governed, and offers an overview of the operation of the Legislatures, Executive Governments and Judiciaries of the Commonwealth, State and local governments. It examines the political foundations upon which Australian politics and government are conducted, including the role, organisation and operation of the media, political parties, candidates, Ministers and governments.
-
Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Law Subject code: LAWS13-514 Subject title: Australian Government and Politics Subject level: Undergraduate Semester/Year: May 2024 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Seminar: x12 (Total hours: 36) - Seminar
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended Study Hours
Attendance and learning activities: The Course is conducted by way of weekly three-hour seminars. As learning is interactive and participatory, we strongly recommend attending all seminars. Most seminars build on material covered in previous seminars, and it may be difficult for you to catch up on content and build knowledge if you miss a class. Seminar Participation is assessed based on the Faculty of Law Class Participation Policy. Missing seminars will have a negative impact on your final mark in the subject. Students are required to attend at least 75% of seminars, or they may be refused assessment. | The course also involves an evening visit to the Queensland Parliament to observe the House sitting and to meet with sitting Members of Parliament (in lieu of one seminar). | Should an election be held during the time of the course, students may be required to actively participate in this electoral process via programmed activities, which will substitute for the minor paper in terms of assessment. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: No Prescribed resources.
After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Law |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | LAWS13-514 |
| Subject title: | Australian Government and Politics |
| Subject level: | Undergraduate |
| Semester/Year: | May 2024 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: | The Course is conducted by way of weekly three-hour seminars. As learning is interactive and participatory, we strongly recommend attending all seminars. Most seminars build on material covered in previous seminars, and it may be difficult for you to catch up on content and build knowledge if you miss a class. Seminar Participation is assessed based on the Faculty of Law Class Participation Policy. Missing seminars will have a negative impact on your final mark in the subject. Students are required to attend at least 75% of seminars, or they may be refused assessment. | The course also involves an evening visit to the Queensland Parliament to observe the House sitting and to meet with sitting Members of Parliament (in lieu of one seminar). | Should an election be held during the time of the course, students may be required to actively participate in this electoral process via programmed activities, which will substitute for the minor paper in terms of assessment. |
| Prescribed resources: | No Prescribed resources. After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List. |
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. N/A |
| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Identify the Australian political system and its history and development; the doctrine of Separation of Powers and Responsible Government; the relationship between Australia's political environment and its impact within the international arena.
- Critically analyse and apply the doctrines studied to the current political setting.
- Identify the Australian political history, parties and institutions and the practical workings of government and the interaction between the three arms of government.
- Build upon existing communication skills (both written and oral).
- Develop and present arguments both orally and in writing in relation to law and practice in the area of federal, state and local government politics.
- Critically analyse current political laws, policies and practice in order to place knowledge in a local and global context.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
-
Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Essay Written Assignment 20.00% Week 9 2,3,4,5,6 Research Paper Research paper on individually negotiated topic 50.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4,5,6 Computer-aided Test (Closed) Weekly seminar pop quiz 10.00% Weekly 1,2,3,4,5,6 Student Engagement Class attendance, participation and contribution 20.00% Ongoing 1,2,3,4,5,6 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
-
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Written Assignment | 20.00% | Week 9 | 2,3,4,5,6 |
| Research Paper | Research paper on individually negotiated topic | 50.00% | Week 12 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Computer-aided Test (Closed) | Weekly seminar pop quiz | 10.00% | Weekly | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Student Engagement | Class attendance, participation and contribution | 20.00% | Ongoing | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
Students may be asked to respond to questions from the subject coordinator regarding the content of their assessments. Students are expected to keep evidence of drafting and research.
Subject curriculum
-
Introduction
The Constitutional foundations of the Australian political system.
-
The Australian way of politics and Australian political development
Australian culture and characteristics influencing our political history.
-
Constitutions and constitutionalism
The role and function of constitutions, constitutional structure and development; contrasts between constitutions.
-
Branches of government
The Westminster System; Executive and Governors and Governors and Governors–General.
-
The electoral process
The State and Federal voting system; conduct of elections.
-
Australian Political parties
Development and history of Australia's political parties; their policies and philosophies; role of parties in the Westminster system.
-
Politics and the media
The importance, role and function of the media in politics; the impact of 'new media'.
-
International relations and foreign policy
Australia's role in the world; development of foreign policy.
-
Security and law and order; international politics
National security; risks and responses.
-
Revision and special topics (TBD)
n/a