• Class Number 2040
  • Term Code 3030
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Matthew Kerby
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Feodor Snagovsky
    • Dr Matthew Kerby
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 24/02/2020
  • Class End Date 05/06/2020
  • Census Date 08/05/2020
  • Last Date to Enrol 02/03/2020
SELT Survey Results

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.

Examination Material or equipment

A final exam will be scheduled during the formal examination period in June. Once the date is known, it will be posted on Wattle. No materials are allowed in the examination room. 

Required Resources

Required Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course. Required readings will be posted on Wattle according to the course outline.


Commonwealth supported students and domestic full-fee paying students generally must be able to complete the requirements of their program of study without the imposition of fees that are additional to the student contribution amount or tuition fees. 

Provided that its payment is in accordance with the Act, a fee is of a kind that is into any one or more of the following categories:

  1. It is a charge for a good or service that is not essential to the course of study.
  2. It is a charge for an alternative form, or alternative forms, of access to a good or service that is an essential component of the course of study but is otherwise made readily available at no additional fee by the higher education provider.
  3. It is a charge for an essential good or service that the student has the choice of acquiring from a supplier other than the higher education provider and is for:
  4. equipment or items which become the physical property of the student and are not consumed during the course of study; or
  5. food, transport and accommodation costs associated with the provision of field trips that form part of the course of study. 
  6. It is a fine or a penalty provided it is imposed principally as a disincentive and not in order to raise revenue or cover administrative costs.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.


Other referencing requirements:

Students may use any referencing system they like. Please note that it must be a known accepted style, and must be used in the correctly and consistently. We recommend that you use the Chicago in-text style.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Introduction & The Study of Political Science
2 Sovereignty and Nations
3 Democracy, Democratisation and Dictatorship Quiz #1 (on wattle Tuesday March 10)
4 Civil Society: Preferences and Interests
5 Representation Quiz #2 (on wattle Tuesday March 24)
6 Political Parties and Party Systems
7 Legislatures and Executives Paper DUE Tuesday April 21 at 23:59 (11:59pm)
8 Elections Quiz #3 (on wattle Tuesday April 28)
9 Political Behaviour
10 Public Policy Quiz #4 (on wattle Tuesday May 12)
11 Constitutions, Courts and Judicial Politics
12 Wrap up and Final Exam Review Quiz #5 (on wattle Tuesday May 26)

Tutorial Registration

Through Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Learning Outcomes
Take-Home Quizzes (20% - 4% each) 20 % * 1, 3, 5
Essay (30%) 30 % 21/04/2019 2, 3, 4, 5
Tutorial Participation (10%) 10 % * 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Final Examination (40%) 40 % * 1, 3, 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 20 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 3, 5

Take-Home Quizzes (20% - 4% each)

There will be five take home quizzes during the semester (30 minutes each). They will be available on Wattle from 0700-2200 each day (please see schedule above). Students may complete the quiz at any time during that 15-hour period. The format will be multiple-choice and true/false. It will cover all materials (lectures and readings) during the indicated period:


Quiz 1 (Tuesday 10 March): covers material from weeks 1 and 2

Quiz 2 (Tuesday 24 March): covers material from weeks 3 and 4

Quiz 3 (Tuesday 28 April): covers material from weeks 5, 6 and 7

Quiz 4 (Tuesday 12 May): covers material from weeks 8 and 9

Quiz 5 (Tuesday 26 May): covers material from weeks 10 and 11


Students will have the 4 highest graded quizzes counted towards the final mark. Each student will have the lowest quiz dropped from the final calculation. Students who are unable to write a quiz on the specified date and within the designated time window may apply for a deferred assessment in accordance with ANU Policy (see section 44 for acceptable reasons to apply for a deferred quiz). Deferred quizzes will take place on Friday 29th May between 0700 and 2200 on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 21/04/2019
Learning Outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5

Essay (30%)

Details of Task: Each student will be expected to write a research essay due Tuesday April 21 at 11:59pm. The topics of the research essay will be released early in the semester on Wattle. Each paper will be 1500 words (+/- 10%). The papers should demonstrate a significant research effort. They will be evaluated on the strength (and quality) of the research, as well as the clarity of the written expression and organization. It is an individual assignment and should be completed as such. While essays can certainly cite newspapers, magazines, and websites, they should go beyond this to reference at least five (5) academic sources (i.e. books or journal articles). 

Assessment Task 3

Value: 10 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Tutorial Participation (10%)

Participation in the tutorials is a critical part of POLS 1002. As such, attendance is encouraged. Students are expected to come to the lectures and participate during the in class discussions. You will be asked numerous questions throughout the course of the semester. In tutorial, students are expected to have done the readings and be active participants in the discussions guided by the Tutor. Mere attendance in the tutorials is not sufficient participation. 

Assessment Task 4

Value: 40 %
Learning Outcomes: 1, 3, 5

Final Examination (40%)

The final exam will be scheduled by the Registrar’s Office during the final examination period. The final will be cumulative. It consists of short and long answer questions. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

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 assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5 marks of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date.


The Course Convener may grant extensions (in writing) for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it 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. 

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Work will be returned to students via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions 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

Online Submission: Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) a submission must be through Turnitin. Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. 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.


Hard Copy 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). Please state how the students submit such assignments to you via, for example, the physical assignment box. The cover sheet must use the assignment cover sheet template. If your course does not require hard copy submission, delete this sub-section. Assignments must include the cover sheet available here. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.


There is no resubmission of assignments.

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).
Dr Matthew Kerby
u5047699@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Matthew Kerby

Dr Feodor Snagovsky
feodor.snagovsky@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Feodor Snagovsky

Dr Matthew Kerby
matthew.kerby@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Matthew Kerby

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions