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). 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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Class Introduction; Science, Politics, Political Science
2	Thinking Like a Political Scientist
3	Political Attitudes and Behaviour
4	Collective Action and Political Institutions
5	Democracy and Dictatorship (and Everything In Between)
6	Sovereignty, Nations, and International Order
7	Constitutions and Multilevel Governance
8	Legislatures & Executives
9	Courts, Judicial Politics, and Policy-Making
10	Elections and Political Behaviour
11	Political Parties, Party Systems, and Interest Groups
12	Conclusion

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial participation is part of students' mark in this class. Tutorial registration will take place in February via the link on Wattle. Please consult Wattle for date and instructions.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Quizzes	20 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Political Analysis Exercise #1 (500 words)	15 %	29/03/2022	12/04/2022	1,2,3,4,5
Political Analysis Exercise #2 (750 words)	20 %	03/05/2022	17/05/2022	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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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 Integrity . 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. "Participation" is more than simply being physically present. Participation involves demonstrating an understanding of the readings and lectures -- summarising key points, raising questions, discussing applications. Participation also involves respecting other students' ideas and giving them the opportunity to participate in conversations, as well as treating all members of the class (including the tutor) in a respectful manner.

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.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

Further details appear on the Wattle site. The conveners will provide greater detail in lectures.

Assessment Task 2

Quizzes

Students will take 5 online quizzes (each worth 5% of total class grade) throughout the semester. Their lowest quiz will be dropped from the final calculation. Students may instead opt to take only 4 quizzes if they prefer.

Due dates: 10 March, 24 March, 28 April, 12 May, 26 May

Assessment Task 3

Political Analysis Exercise #1 (500 words)

Students will summarise two perspectives on a policy issue, drawing from four articles provided by the conveners. Details will be made available on the class Wattle site and discussed in tutorials/lectures.

Assessment Task 4

Political Analysis Exercise #2 (750 words)

Students will write a briefing paper, drawing from and expanding on the work done in exercise #1. Details will be made available on the class Wattle site and discussed in tutorials/lectures.

Assessment Task 5

Final exam

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

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 an exam must apply for an exam deferral.

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

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 Diversity and inclusion 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 and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students