AIP783 - Rethinking Democracy
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Benjamin Isakhan |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | AIP484 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | Online independent and collaborative learning activities equivalent to 1 x 1-hour per week |
Content
As a principle, democracy has never been more popular. For those who have it, democracy offers a grab-bag of rights and freedoms not found in other regime types; for those who want it, democracy holds the promise of a better life free from the constraints of oppressive forms of power. But where does democracy come from and what challenges loom ahead for this sophisticated form of governance? This unit invites students to challenge their assumption about the nature, history and contemporary practise of democracy – both in the “West” and elsewhere. It provides an alternative narrative about the complex and contested history of democracy and offers nuanced insights into some of the greatest challenges facing democracy today such as: Islam and democracy; democracy and “mixed regimes”; new theories of democracy; and questions about its future.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of issues relating to democracy and explanations of democratisation Analyse statements about democracy and debate the merits of various views about democracy and democratisation | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Demonstrate an ability to evaluate, gather, organise, and use various forms of evidence to explain various aspects of different cases of democracy Compile and evaluate evidence relevant to the processes of democracy and decide how far a particular case exhibits these processes | GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO3 | Evaluate examples of democracy and different explanations of democratisation Dispute various positions and develop arguments in ongoing debates about democracy | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Communicate effectively in written work Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of political science and apply them to real-world contexts, and do this in a range of formats for a range of readers | GLO2: Communication |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Research and Writing Exercise | 750 words or equivalent | 15% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2 - Online Exercises | 1750 words or equivalent | 35% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3 - Essay | 2500 words or equivalent | 50% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: AIP783 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Click on the fee link below which describes you: