Politics
Unit 1
Overview
The first area of study provides students with a general introduction to the concepts of political actors and power at a national level. They study individuals and organisations, and examine contested domestic political issues to build on their understanding of what it is to think politically.
In the second area of study students analyse the power, interests and perspectives of global political actors and evaluate their political significance. A range of contemporary global issues are studied.
Unit Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
- Power and national political actors
- Power and global political actors
Download > VCE Politics Study Design
Unit Assessment
Assessment includes:
- Essay
- Short answer tests
- Research Task
- Extended responses-examination
Pathways
Lawyer, social commentator, journalist, activist, economist, investigator, academic, lobbyist, policy maker social justice advocate politician, researcher, school teacher, advisor, social media campaigner, travel writer, university lecturer, diplomat.
Politics
Unit 2
Overview
In the first area of study students consider the key principles of democracy, and examine the role of democracy in Australia’s institutions and decision making processes. Students will be able to choose a political issue to focus on, such as Media ownership, First Nations Voice to Parliament, Women and power or Big money and democracy.
In the second area of study students analyse global challenges to the principles of democracy, through an in-depth investigation of a global issue or crisis. Possible topics include authoritarianism, sustainability and resource security or State use of violence.
Unit Prerequisites
N/A
Areas of Study
- Issues for Australia’s democracy
- Global challenges to democracy
Download >VCE Politics Study Design
Unit Assessment
Assessment includes:
- Essay
- Short answer tests
- Research Task
- Extended responses-examination
Pathways
Lawyer, social commentator, journalist, activist, economist, investigator, academic, lobbyist, policy maker social justice advocate politician, researcher, school teacher, advisor, social media campaigner, travel writer, university lecturer, diplomat.
Politics
Unit 3+4
Unit 3 Global co-operation and conflict
Overview
In this unit, students investigate an issue and a crisis that pose challenges to the global community. Students begin with an investigation into an issue of global scale, such as climate change, global economic instability, the issue of development or weapons of mass destruction.
Students also examine the causes and consequences of a humanitarian crisis that may have begun in one state but which has crossed over into neighbouring states and requires an emergency response. This crisis must be chosen from the areas of human rights, armed conflict and the mass movement of people. They consider the causes of these issues and crises, and investigate their consequences on a global level and for a variety of global actors.
Areas of study:
- Global issues, global response
- Contemporary crises: conflict, stability and change
Unit Prerequisites
Unit 1 or Unit 2 Politics is recommended but not essential
Unit 4: Power in the Indo-Pacific
Overview
In this unit, students investigate the strategic competition for power and influence in the Indo-Pacific region. They consider the interests and perspectives of global actors within the region, including the challenges to regional cooperation and stability.
Building on their study of global issues and contemporary crises in Unit 3, students develop their understanding of power and national interests through an in-depth examination of one state’s perspectives, interests and actions. Students must choose one state from the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia or the United States of America.
Students also examine Australia’s strategic interests and actions in the region and consider how Australia’s responses to regional issues and crises may have contributed to political stability and/or change. They do this within the context of Australia’s relationships with one Pacific Island state and two other regional states.
Areas of study
- Power and the national interest
- Australia in the Indo Pacific
Download > VCE Politics Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Unit 3 SACS 25%
- Unit 4 SACS 25%
- End of unit examination 50%
Assessment includes:
- Analytical essay
- Short answer tests
- Extended responses
Pathways
Lawyer, social commentator, journalist, activist, economist, investigator, academic, lobbyist, policy maker social justice advocate politician, researcher, school teacher, advisor, social media campaigner, travel writer, university lecturer, diplomat.