Australian Politics in Global Context
UndergraduateMAQ-POIX10102025
Previously MAQ-POIX101
Stare down the barrel of Australian political history. Learn about the Dismissal and the Great Depression. Investigate the two-party system and other political institutions. Take on debated hot topics such as globalisation, climate change and war.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Australian Politics in Global Context
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject , you will be able to:
- Articulate a sound understanding of the foundations of the Australian political system and its relationship to its global context
- Communicate the key features of Australia's main political institutions and the debates and controversies that surround them
- Demonstrate familiarity with the main political ideologies and parties that are influential in the Australia political scene
- Use a sophisticated analytical vocabulary for better appreciating the most pressing contemporary issues in Australian politics
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject was previously known as POIX101 Australian Politics in Global Context.
In this subject, we critically assess Australian politics from the perspective of political and economic history, through the lens of social power and financial interests, and drilling down into contemporary debates about economic crisis, globalisation, nationalism, environmental catastrophe and war. With this approach in mind, we examine key Australian political institutions, ideologies, and issues. What is the nature of Australia’s key political institutions (the Constitution, the High Court, Federalism, Government and Parliament), and are they democratic and just? Could we live without them? What are some of the radical critiques of these institutions and the interests they serve? What is ‘Australia’, after all – a unified nation of peoples with shared identities and interests, or a construct that serves wealth and power by masking deep social fractures, or something else again?
- Online quiz (20%)
- Major Essay (50%)
- Portfolio-based assessment for online discussions (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PLT110 (Not currently available)
MAQ-POIX101 (Not currently available)
Others
If you have no prior university experience, you should complete BAR100 Academic Learning Skills or COM10006 Academic Literacies: Learning and Communication Practice before starting this subject.
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PLT110, POL101, POL165, POIX101
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
POIR1010 Australian Politics in Global Context
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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