POLITICS 315

The Practice of Politics

Please note: this is archived course information from 2019 for POLITICS 315.

Description

The Practice of Politics aims to develop the skills and knowledge needed for students to practice politics effectively, covering the range of jobs available in politics and government, the highs and lows of working in politics, the skills to practice politics both effectively and ethically and the path to obtaining a position in politics and government.

The course will explore four main aspects:

Working in politics: The ideal of practising politics; political jobs; political practitioners; and the highs and lows of working in politics including job satisfaction & suitability.
Effective Political Practice: Practical skill training - workplace writing.
Ethical Political Practice: Ethical awareness, supporting diversity, dilemmas of being a government advisor and the art of the possible/achieving change.

Course Objectives and/or Learning outcomes

This course is 100% focused on employability and covers skills such as:

Professional attributes and self-management: open to learning new skills, ability to work independently, able to follow rules, good time management, able to meet deadlines, able to take responsibility for own work and performance, responsive to feedback, self-reflective, understanding of government and the political workplace
Workplace writing skills: short reports, memo writing, report-style presentation
Communication skills: media skills
Values and ethical awareness: supportive of diversity, ethical behaviour, possessing integrity and principles

View the course syllabus

Availability 2019

Not offered in 2019; planned for 2020

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Associate Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment

Assessment

100% Coursework

Points

POLITICS 315: 15 points

Prerequisites

30 points at Stage II in Political Studies or Politics and International Relations

Restrictions

POLITICS 206