POLIS 2137EX - International Study Tour: Politics II

External - Winter - 2023

This course enables a short study tour for University of Adelaide students led by Adelaide teaching staff. Students will be expected to complete a number of intensively taught preliminary classes at Adelaide before travel overseas. While on location, students will undertake a series of intensive seminars, lectures and site visits. This course is designed to enhance student understanding and appreciation of the contemporary political systems and cultures of selected foreign countries. Topics may include detailed study of political institutional arrangements, selected case studies of bi-lateral and/or multi-lateral relationships and detailed study of party structures.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code POLIS 2137EX
    Course International Study Tour: Politics II
    Coordinating Unit Politics and International Relations
    Term Winter
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s External
    Units 3
    Contact 36 hours (intensive) over three week period
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites At least 24 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Quota Places are limited. Students will be selected based on GPA and an interview with the course coordinator. Students will need to enrol as part of the normal enrolment process; those selected will be notified before Semester teaching starts
    Assessment Research Essay 40%, Analytical Blog 40%, Seminar Work 20%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Benito Cao

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 demonstrate a close understanding of the political culture and institutions of a foreign country
    2 conduct primary research on selected policy/institutional issues relating to a foreign country
    3 demonstrate skills and competencies in intercultural awareness
    4 show enhanced critical thinking and skills of analysis
    5 better understand their disciplinary study by seeing it in an international context
    6 demonstrate confidence in a foreign environment and a well-developed sense of social responsibility through engagement with local communities
    7 demonstrate high level written and oral communication skills
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 4, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 3, 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 6, 7

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 3, 5, 6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    5, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbook or Course Reader, and access to MyUni. Other resources to be determined by focus of study.
    Recommended Resources
    Access to standard student IT facilities (especially web access while away from campus).
    Online Learning
    N/A
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students selected for this course will be required to complete some pre-departure study on campus. This will take the form of seminars and directed study. While away all seminars / lectures / classes will be held at overseas university facilities (with support of the Global Learning Short Programs office). The overseas classes will be a mixture of lectures / seminars by Adelaide staff and local political figures. The schedule will also include visits to local institutions (parliaments, courts etc).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    4 x 3 hour pre-departure seminars 12 hours per semester
    8 x 3 hour in-country seminars 24 hours per semester
    Site visits 10 hours per semester
    Set readings and preparation for class 60 hours per semester
    Preparation and writing of assignments 50 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    The nature of the lecture topics will vary according to the country visited.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students will spend 2 weeks overseas.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Research Essay Formative and Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    Reflective Blog Formative and Summative 40% 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Annotated Bibliography Formative and Summative 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    Seminar Participation Formative and Summative 10% 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Assessment Detail
    Research Essay: Students will be required to write a 1800-2000 word research essay on a topic to be determined - 40% weighting

    Reflective Blog: Students will be required to write a 1800-2000 word blog reflecting on their learning experience while away from Adelaide - 40% weighting

    Annotated Bibliography: Students will be required to write 750 word Annotated Bibliography as preparation for the Research Essay - 10% weighting

    Seminar Participation: Students will be required to engage in class activities, sharing materials and information with their peers - 10% weighting
    Submission
    Electronic submission of written work will be required with 3 weeks of return to Adelaide.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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