Available in 2024
Course code

POLI4001

Units

20 units

Level

4000 level

Course handbook

Description

POLI4001 must be studied in conjunction with POLI4002; POLI4003; and POLI4004 and together constitute the full Honours program in Politics. The Politics Honours program is the culmination of undergraduate teaching in the discipline of Politics. It enables students who have distinguished themselves in Politics at the undergraduate level to continue advanced studies in politics and political analysis. As such it forms an introduction to the world of international scholarship and research. The principal teaching style will be through seminar studies and thesis supervision.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Judgement: Identify and articulate complex Politics and International Relations issues; Apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to Politics and International Relations issues.

2. Knowledge: Demonstrate an advanced understanding of a complex body of knowledge in Politics and International Relations.

3. Application Skills: Critically apply theoretical and technical Politics and International Relations knowledge and skills to resolve issues

4. Communication and Collaboration: Able to (a) communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for discipline and non-discipline audiences; and (b) collaborate effectively.

5. Research Skills: Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, and research methodologies, as well as to identify research, evaluate and synthesise relevant discipline and policy issues.

6. Self-Management: Able to learn and work with a high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism.


Content

The Honours program in Politics consists of two inter-related elements, coursework and thesis, which are designed to provide the student the opportunity to explore in greater depth interests developed during their undergraduate degree.

The coursework component is provided jointly by POLI4001 and POLI 4002, both of which provide analysis of two advanced specialist topics in political science. These topics, which may vary from year to year depending on staff availability and student demand, will give students the opportunities to engage with the most recent research debates in the respective sub-fields of political science.

As part of the specialist topic in POLI4001 (and POLI4002) students will undertake up to five weeks of research methodology to be followed by up to seven weeks of topic specific study.

POLI4001 will contribute 25% towards the total Honours mark.


Assumed knowledge

The Politics Honours program requires successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Science or equivalent, with a major in Politics or a field relevant to their proposed Honours study and at least a credit average in the field in their undergraduate program.


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Research Paper 1

Written Assignment: Research Paper 2

Presentation: Oral Presentation of Research Proposal

Written Assignment: Research Paper 3

Presentation: Oral Presentations


Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Integrated Learning Session-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Students are expected to complete 4 hours of guided learning via online preparation, lectures, interactive workshops, tutorials, discussion groups or self-directed learning and an additional 6 hours of independent study per week.

Course outline