Australian and Global Politics

Learning Area Leader: Mr De Souza

Australian and Global Politics offers students the opportunity to engage with key political, social and economic issues, and to become informed citizens, voters and participants in their local, national and international communities. Australian Politics increases awareness of the nature of power and its influence. It allows students to become informed observers of, and active participants in, their political system. As students begin to think critically, they recognise that democratic ideals are often difficult to achieve in practice. Global Politics provides students with an insight into the political, social, cultural and economic forces that shape our rapidly changing world. Students develop a critical understanding of the world in which they live and contemporary global issues. In doing so, students are provided with the means to meet the opportunities and challenges posed by contemporary international life and the understanding, awareness and critical thinking skills which underpin active citizenship.

Career Paths / Future Directions:

Ministerial support, Public affairs, Government policy, Journalism, Law (International), Research, Diplomacy, Communications officer

Unit 1 – Ideas, Actors and Power (Code: POLG11)

Description

In this unit students are introduced to the key ideas relating to the exercise of political power. They explore how these ideas shape political systems and in particular the characteristics of liberalism. They consider the nature of power in Australian democracy and in a non-democratic political system. They also explore the nature and influence of key political actors in Australia: political parties, interest groups and the media. All these forms of participation in Australian democracy influence the political agenda.

Outcomes

• Identify and explain key ideas relating to the exercise of political power, and analyse and evaluate different approaches to governmental power by comparing Australian democracy with a non-democratic political system.

• Analyse the roles and functions of political parties, interest groups and the media and their influence on participation in Australian politics.

Assessment

• Politics and Power Test

• Liberal Democracy Test

• Political Research Report

• Political Movement Extended Response

Unit 2 – Global Connections (Code: POLG22)

Description

This unit introduces students to the global community and the global actors that are part of this community. In Area of Study 1 students explore the myriad ways lives have been affected by the increased interconnectedness – the global links – of the world through the process of globalisation. In Area of Study 2, students consider the extent to which global actors cooperate and share visions and goals as part of the global community. They investigate the ability of the global community to manage areas of global cooperation and to respond to issues of global conflict and instability.

Outcomes

• Analyse the social, political and economic interconnections created by globalisation and evaluate Australia’s participation in the global community.

• Describe and analyse the extent to which global actors can effectively manage cooperation, conflict and instability in relation to selected case studies.

Assessment

• Written Research Report (Globalisation)

• Test: NGOs / TNCs

• Contemporary International Case Studies: 1. Cooperation 2. Conflict

• End of year examination on Units 1&2

Unit 3 – Evaluating Australian Democracy (Code: POLG33)

Description

In this unit students investigate the key global actors of contemporary global politics. They use evidence to analyse the key global actors and their aims, roles and power. They develop an understanding of the key actors through an in-depth examination of the concepts of national interests and power as they relate to the state, and the way in which ONE Asia-Pacific state uses power to achieve its objectives.

Outcomes

• Evaluate the power of key global actors and assess the extent to which they achieve their aims and are able to challenge state sovereignty.

• Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various types of power by a specific Asia-Pacific state in pursuit of its national interests.

Assessment

• Analysing and evaluating a range of written documents to build evidence and an understanding of viewpoint

• Evaluating film for evidence and viewpoint

• Developing short answer techniques and extended response techniques

• Completing a short answer test

• Completing an extended response test

• Completing an essay

• Attending student lectures

Unit 4 – Global Challenges (Code: POLG44)

Description

In this unit students investigate key global challenges facing the international community in the 21st century. They examine and analyse the debates surrounding TWO ethical issues that are underpinned by international law. They then evaluate the effectiveness of responses to these issues. Students also explore the context and causes of global crises and consider the varying effectiveness of responses and challenges to resolving them.

Outcomes

• Analyse the debates relating to TWO global ethical issues, and evaluate the effectiveness of global actors’ responses to these issues.

• Analyse TWO contemporary global crises and evaluate the effectiveness of global actors’ responses to these.

Assessments

• Analysing and evaluating a range of written documents to build both evidence and an understanding of viewpoint.

• Evaluating film for evidence and viewpoint / Developing short answer techniques and extended response techniques / Completing a short answer test / Completing an extended response test.

Unit 3 Coursework 25%

Unit 4 Coursework 25%

Examination 50%