Introduction to Australian Politics - ZHSS1401


	Faculty: UNSW@ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy)
	School: School of Humanities and Social Sciences @ ADFA
	Course Outline: https://gateway.unsw.adfa.edu.au/isas/current_students/outlines/index.html
	Campus: University College Campus
	Career: Undergraduate
	Units of Credit: 6
	EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
	Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
	CSS Contribution Charge:Band 1 (more info)
	Tuition Fee:See Tuition Fee Schedule
	Further Information: See Class Timetable

Description

We are often exhorted to celebrate Australia as a 'free, just, democratic society'. This course explores what these ideals mean, the struggles that have occurred to instill them into our institutions and the struggles that are still occurring over how these ideals might be better achieved in the future.

In the process of exploring these issues, the course will introduce the major elements of Australia's political system including the constitution, the federation, the parliament, the political parties and interest groups. It will also introduce the major cleavages that divide Australian politics according to principles, values and interests.

We conclude by looking at the role of the military in a liberal democracy, and Australiaa's future defence and security policy. Students are not expected to have any specific background knowledge in politics.