Course syllabus

Politics 315: The Practice of Politics

SEMESTER 2, 2018

15 points

Online resource centre: visit this for all details include up to date timetable/speakers, syllabus, assignment details, feedback forms, workshop preparation and further reading.

 
Course Convenor: 

Jennifer Lees-Marshment - j.lees-marshment@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

3 hour interactive workshop (Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

Summary of Course 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 three main aspects:

1. 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.
2. Effective Political Practice: Practical skill training - workplace writing. 
3. Ethical Political Practice: Ethical awareness, supporting diversity, dilemmas of being a government advisor and the art of the possible/achieving change.

Course outcomes:

Employability Skills:

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.
• Values and ethical awareness: supportive of diversity, ethical behaviour, possessing integrity and principles.

Assessment Summary:

100% coursework:

Report 1 Working in politics Word count 2000, Worth 35%, Deadline 13 August 11.59pm

Report 2 Effective Political Practice, Word count 2000, Worth 30%, Deadline 17 September 11.59pm

Report 3 Ethical Political Practice Word count 2000, Worth 35%, Deadline 15 October 11.59pm

Weekly Topics:

See timetable and online resource centre for the all assignment details, workshop prep and further resources.

Reading/texts
See the Online resource centre - using this is essential for the course -  https://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/flexiblelearning/practice-of-politics/

Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.