ATS3903 · Leadership, politics and power

Overview

How do we make sense of political leadership? What makes a “good” leader? In this unit, you will critique and investigate the nature of political leadership, challenges posed against it, and its impacts. You will explore the intersections of power, institutions, gender, technology, political culture, and crises. Ultimately, you will interrogate whether leaders make history or are prisoners of it and why certain leaders become associated with transformative change. We will explore these ideas through a mix of in-class discussion, critical analysis, and case study research.

Areas of study: Politics

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. compare and assess different perspectives of political leadership and the varying qualities valued in “good” leaders;
2. critically interrogate ideas and mobilisations of power by leaders and evaluate debates about the role and impact of individual political leaders;
3. analyse the major forces impinging upon the practice and challenges of political leadership, including during times of crisis;
4. discuss the role of social media, political communication, and election campaigns on the representation of leadership;
5. apply theoretical understandings and integrate relevant research sources into applied case studies of political leadership;
6. communicate research findings orally and in writing.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.