POLITICS 107

New Zealand Politics

Please note: this is archived course information from 2021 for POLITICS 107.

Description

An introduction to New Zealand politics and government. This course covers three key themes:

(1) History and Institutions - this is the part that we could call "NZ Politics 101" - we will cover the basics of NZ government, including the history behind the system. This is to ensure that you know the key institutions, rules, what policy is, why a mace is carried into the house each sitting day, how Parliament and Government works, and so on. In summary, this section of the course provides background so that students understand how parliament and government work in NZ.

(2) Parties, leaders, and elections - we then get into "political science" or politics part of the course - key questions include: what do we mean by left and right? Who are the main, minor, and micro parties? How do the parties campaign? How do they win? What are the Māori seats? Who is the Orange Guy? And why even vote anyway? 

(3) Current events and issues in NZ politics - throughout the course we will have a number of guests and place an emphasis on current issues in politics.

 

Assessment

Coursework + exam

Availability 2021

Semester 2

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Associate Professor Lara Greaves

Assessment

Coursework + exam

Points

POLITICS 107: 15 points