Bachelor of Arts (Politics)

The discipline of Politics is an exciting, vibrant and constantly changing body of ideas, approaches and methods.  The Politics program offers subjects in international relations, Australian politics, political theory, comparative politics, the politics of developing countries, public policy, culture and media.  Students are advised to study as broadly as possible across the areas offered by the discipline.

The purpose of the major is to acquaint students with key areas of Politics as a discipline.  Political study involves examining the origins and nature of consent, authority, and consensus, which underpin social order. Many factors are covered in this examination; political institutions, political economy, culture, class, gender and ethnicity. Politics can and does occur at many levels, from international relations to the nation state, from local communities to the individual. The study of politics is not just to do with politics in the here and now, but concerns itself with both the past and the future. Whether it is a country being studied, relations between countries, or a body of political ideas, politics engages us with choices about how to live life and how best to contribute to society.

Political studies at the University of Wollongong places considerable emphasis on developing strong theoretical foundations. This equips students in analysing the continuing challenges of a globalising world, and their role within it.  A key area of concern is international relations and the discipline also stresses the roles played by culture and political economy in both the developed and developing world.

Major Study
A major in Politics consists of 52 credit points, including at least 24 credit points at 300-level in Politics subjects. Graduates with a Politics major will normally have included at least one subject from each of the following areas in their program: (1) Australian Politics, (2) Political Theory and (3) the Politics of a country other than Australia or Comparative Politics or International Relations.

Note:  Students who intend to undertake Honours in Politics must complete POL314 power and the Modern State.
Students majoring in Politics may count up to 16 cp from the following subjects: PHIL232, PHIL390, SOC308, SOC309, SOC318, SOC221, STS322 and STS335.  Note:  Students enrolled in a double major may only cross-count one subject.

Minor Study
A minor in Politics will consist of at least 28 credit points in subjects with the prefix ‘POL’ from the Course Structure of the Politics major.  Students may not take more than two subjects at 100-level, and may not cross-count any subjects from the minor in any other minor or major study.

Honours
See Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Study Program