Discipline/School details [HPS]
Political Science – School of Government
The School of Government offers majors in two programs: Political Science and Public
Policy. Both programs are offered on the Hobart and Launceston campuses. Each major
shares two common first year (level 100) units and the two programs complement each
other in understanding and explaining politics and policy at all levels from the smallest
political community to the international system of states.
Political Science is the study of the ideas, processes and institutions that determine public
decisions within and among communities. Understanding the nature of political activity is
important for citizenship in a democracy such as Australia. It is also necessary in order to
understand political activity in other societies.
Students may undertake: [i] a major program, or part thereof, in Political Science in their
Bachelor of Arts course (taught at the Hobart and Launceston campuses); or [ii] a major
program, or part thereof, in Political Science in their Bachelor of Social Science (Police
Studies) course (taught at the Hobart and Launceston campuses); or [iii] a major program,
or part thereof, in Political Science in their Bachelor of Social Science course (taught at the
Launceston campus only); or [iv] undertake units which count toward courses offered by
other faculties.
First year units are also offered via distance education.
The study of Political Science is useful preparation for students planning careers in the
public and private sectors, community and non-government organisations, public
relations, policing, teaching, journalism and research. Political Science also complements
most other subjects in Arts, Commerce, Economics, Science and Law, and is a popular
major in the Arts–Law combined degree.
First year
Introduction to Government A (HSG101) and Introduction to Government B (HSG102)
are the two first year (level 100) units in the Political Science program (they are also the
first year units in the Public Policy program). These units are suitable for students who
want a general overview of government and politics to complement their studies in other
disciplines. They also provide a foundation for students who wish to proceed further in
Political Science and completion of both is a prerequisite for a major in the discipline.
Second and third year
Second year (level 200) and third year (level 300) units address a range of issues and
themes including: political theory and methodology, international relations, comparative
politics, Australian politics, Asia-Pacific politics and the media.
To complete a major in Political Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree , students are
required to gain a minimum of 100% in Political Science units, of which 25% will be
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Discipline/School details [HPS]
obtained at level 100 (HSG101 and HSG102) and the remaining 75% from units at levels
200 and 300, including at least 25% at level 300.
If Bachelor of Arts students wish to complete majors in both Political Science and Public
Policy they are required to: [i] complete a minimum of 100% in Political Science
(consisting of 25% of level 100 units plus 75% of level 200 and 300 units, with at least 25%
at level 300); and [ii] a minimum of 100% in Public Policy (consisting of 100% of level 200
and 300 units, with at least 25% at level 300), or vice versa.
To complete a major in Political Science for the Bachelor of Social Science (Police
Studies) degree, students are required to gain 125% in Political Science units of which 25%
will be obtained at level 100 (HSG101 and HSG102) and 50% from units at level 200 and
50% from units at level 300.
To complete a major in Political Science for the Bachelor of Social Science degree,
students are required to gain 125% in Political Science units of which 25% will be obtained
at level 100 (HSG101 and HSG102) and 50% from units at level 200 and 50% from units at
level 300.
Students who commenced the major before 2001
Students who began their degree before 2001 and who wish to complete a major in
Political Science are reminded that a major consists of sequential study in one discipline
with a total HECS weighting of 100% as detailed above.
Refer to page B-xx for further information on the changes to the BA.
Honours
The fourth year (level 400) honours program is an advanced exploration of selected
issues in Political Science. The program is open to students who have majored in Political
Science with a Grade-Point Average of 6.5 or higher. The honours year consists of
specialised coursework units and a thesis, and introduces students to the skills involved in
independent research. The honours program also provides a stepping stone to master and
PhD degrees, as well as providing an additional qualification.
Postgraduate courses
The School of Government has a strong reputation for research and welcomes enquiries
from those seeking to undertake higher degree research (ie Master of Arts or Doctor of
Philosophy) in Political Science or Public Policy. For further information about these
courses, students should consult the relevant section of the Research Higher Degree
Handbook and contact the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator.
In addition, the School offers the following postgraduate coursework courses in
International Politics at the Hobart Campus:
Graduate Certificate in International Politics – course code R5Q
Graduate Diploma in International Politics – course code R6Q
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Discipline/School details [HPS]
Master of International Politics – course code R7Q
See page B-xx for course details.
Listed below are the units in these courses.
HSD418 Challenges to Governance (25%)
HSA437 International Relations in Asia (25%)
HSA476 Issues in Polar and Marine Policy (25%)
HSD422 Leadership, Influence and Dispute Resolution (25%)
HSA420 Politics of International Relations (25%)
HSA430 Politics of Terrorism (25%)
HSA701 Research Thesis (50%)
HSA438 Seminar in Foreign Correspondence (25%)
The following is a summary of units offered in the Political
Science program
Units offered in 2004
Unit code
unit title
weight
campus offered
Year 1 (level 100)
HSG101
Introduction to Government A
12.5%
HSG102
Introduction to Government B
12.5%
Hbt~1, Ltn~1,
dist.ed~3/1w
Hbt~2, Ltn~2,
dist.ed~2w
Year 2 (level 200) & Year 3 (level 300)
1. The School reserves the right not to offer any level 200/300 units which do not attract a minimum
enrolment, or which cannot be offered due to staff leave or movements.
2. Students may not enrol in units which substantially repeat other units, or units which they have previously
passed.
3. Many units are offered on two or three year cycles. If a unit is not offered this year, then it may be offered
next year or the year after. Check unit details for confirmation or contact the School.
Semester 1
HSA201/301
HSA202/302
HSA212/312
HSA262/362
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
Hbt~1
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~2
Hbt~1
HSA270/370
Race and Ethnic Politics
Approaches to International Relations
Political Thought: Liberal Democracy
Foreign Correspondence: Foreign Policy and the
Media
Espionage, Terror and Global Disorder
12.5%
HSA361
Parliamentary Internship
12.5%
Hbt~1,
dist.ed~1w
Hbt~1/2,
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Discipline/School details [HPS]
HSG206/306
Special Topic in Government
12.5%
HSA258/358
HSA260/360
HSA271/371
HSA361
Globalisation and East Asian Politics
Tasmanian Politics and Australian Federalism
The Politics of International Justice
Parliamentary Internship
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
HSG200/300
HSG205/305
HSG206/306
Approaches to Political Analysis
Re-inventing Governance
Special Topic in Government
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
HSG207/307
Third World Development Politics
12.5%
Contemporary Issues in Government
Special Topic in Government
12.5%
12.5%
Ltn~1/2
Hbt~3/1/2,
Ltn~3/1/2
Semester 2
Hbt~2
Hbt~2, Ltn~2v
Hbt~2
Hbt~1/2,
Ltn~1/2
Hbt~2, Ltn~2v
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
Hbt~3/1/2,
Ltn~3/1/2
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
Semester 3
HSG201/301
HSG206/306
[na]
Hbt~3/1/2,
Ltn~3/1/2
Not offered in 2004
Unit code
HSA203/303
HSA204/304
HSA210/310
HSA222/322
HSA227/327
HSA240/340
HSA241/341
HSG202/302
HSG203/303
HSG204/304
unit title
Media and Politics
Politics in Literature and Film
Political Ideologies
Comparative Political Systems
Politics of Democratisation, East and West
Australian Foreign Policy
Australian Political Institutions
Political Activism: Local to Global
International Cooperation
Building Blocs: Economic Regionalism
weight
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
campus offered
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
[na]
weight
campus offered
Cross-listed units
Unit code
unit title
Units from the following list can be counted towards a major in Political Science. The prerequisite for all units
shown below is 25% in level 100 Political Science.
HAB241/341
Indigenous Political Indentities
12.5%
[na]
HGA203/303
Social and Political Research
12.5%
Ltn~1, Hbt~1
HGA204/304
Survey Research
12.5%
[na]
HMA260/360
Reporting Asia
12.5%
Hbt~1,
HMA261/361
Asian Ethnic and Religious Politics
12.5%
Hbt~2,
HSD207/307
Sex, Drugs and Toxic Waste: Risk and Regulation
12.5%
[na]
HSD208/308
Business–Government Relations
12.5%
[na]
HSD230/330
Australian Environmental Policy
12.5%
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
HSD241/341
Global Political Economy
12.5%
[na]
HSD242/342
Antarctic and Oceans Policy
12.5%
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science course should refer to the course details on page B-xx.
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Discipline/School details [HPS]
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies) course should refer to the course details on
page B-xx.
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