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 at the North West Centre, Burnie and 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 and B (HSG101 and 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 themes
including: political theory and methodology, international relations, comparative politics,
Australian politics, Asia-Pacific politics and the media and politics.
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 – a total of 100%, with at least
25% of units chosen 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% of units chosen 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 year
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
degree and PhD work, as well as providing an additional qualification.
Postgraduate courses
The School of Government welcomes enquiries from appropriately qualified students
wishing to undertake Master of Arts and PhD research degrees in Political Science and
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 postgraduate coursework courses in International Politics at
the Hobart Campus: [i] a Graduate Certificate in International Politics; [ii] a Graduate
Diploma in International Politics; and [iii] a Master of International Politics. Further
information about these particular courses can be found in the ‘Course Details’ section of
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Discipline/School details [HPS]
this Handbook and at the end of the Political Science section of this Handbook (following
Honours Units).
The following is a summary of units offered in the Political
Science program
Unit title
campus offered
weight
unit code
Hbt~1, Ltn~1, NWC~1,
dist.ed~1w
Hbt~2, Ltn~2, NWC~2,
dist.ed~2w
12.5%
HSG101
12.5%
HSG102
Year 1 (level 100)
Introduction to Government A
Introduction to Government B
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
Contemporary Issues in Government
Political Activism: Local to Global
Politics in Literature and Film
Race and Ethnic Politics
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~1, Ltn~1v
Hbt~1
Hbt~1
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
HSG201/301
HSG202/302
HSA204/304
HSA201/301
Hbt~2, Ltn~2v
Hbt~2
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
Hbt~2
Hbt~2, Ltn~2v
Hbt~2,
Hbt~2
Hbt~2
Hbt~2v, Ltn~2
campus offered
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
weight
HSG200/300
HSA241/341
HSG204/304
HSA222/322
HSG203/303
HSA203/303
HSA361
HSA210/310
HSG205/305
unit code
Hbt~3
[na]
[na]
[na]
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
HSA202/302
HSA240/340
HSA270/370
HSA262/362
[na]
[na]
12.5%
12.5%
HSA258/358
HSA212/312
Semester 2
Approaches to Political Analysis
Australian Political Institutions
Building Blocs: Economic Regionalism
Comparative Political Systems
International Cooperation
Media and Politics
Parliamentary Internship
Political Ideologies
Re-inventing Governance
Unit title
Not offered in 2003
Approaches to International Relations
Australian Foreign Policy
Espionage, Terror and Global Disorder
Foreign Correspondence: Foreign Policy and
the Media
Globalisation and East Asian Politics
Political Thought: Liberal Democracy
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Discipline/School details [HPS]
Politics of Democratisation, East and West
Tasmanian Politics and Australian Federalism
Unit title
[na]
[na]
campus offered
12.5%
12.5%
weight
HSA227/327
HSA260/360
unit code
Cross-listed units
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.
Hbt~2,
HMA261/361
Asian Ethnic and Religious Politics
12.5%
v
HSD230/330
Australian Environmental Policy
12.5%
Hbt~1, Ltn~1
v
HSD208/308
Business–Government Relations
12.5%
Hbt~1 , Ltn~1
[na]
HSD241/341
Global Political Economy
12.5%
Hbt~1,
HMA260/360
Reporting Asia
12.5%
[na]
HSD207/307
Sex, Drugs and Toxic Waste: Risk and
12.5%
Regulation
Ltn~1, Hbt~1
HGA203/303
Social and Political Research
12.5%
[na]
HGA204/304
Survey Research
12.5%
Students are advised to turn to the BA schedule (page B-xx) or the Index of Unit Codes on page A-xx to find
the page references to units referred to here.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science course should refer to the course details on page B-xx.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies) course should refer to the course details on
page B-xx.
Postgraduate Courses in International Politics –
School of Government
The School of Government 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
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%)
To find page references for these units, use the Index of Unit Codes on page A-xx
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