IMPORTANT INFORMATION
If you expect to take POLI 3000 - Australian Electoral Democracy in 2026, please take the 2026 substitute POLI 3032 - Australian Electoral Democracy! as a replacement.

Australian Electoral Democracy

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
POLI 3000
Course ID icon
Course ID
201024
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Society and Culture
Course level icon
Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

To help students better understand the Australian democratic system. This course provides a brief history of Australian electoral experiments and explores, in depth, its most important features as well as controversies around them. Shortcomings in current arrangements are also scrutinised. Students will learn how Australia’s democracy compares to peer nations, and will explore responses to problems challenging democracies around the globe, including that of Australia. Using normative political theory, students will examine the structure and boundaries of Australian democracy, including rules around suffrage, candidate eligibility, and electoral procedures. 

  • The Parameters of Australian Democracy
  • Electoral Rules, Systems, and Practices
  • Problems in Australian Electoral Democracy

Course learning outcomes

  • Explain Australia’s electoral rules, systems, and procedures
  • Critically evaluate the structure of Australian democracy
  • Formulate arguments grounded in the analysis of normative political theory
  • Develop enhanced skills in research

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A