Policy and Practice in Australian Politics

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
POLI 2000
Course ID icon
Course ID
201021
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Adelaide City Campus West, Magill
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
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
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

This course covers key political and policy issues for the 21st century with a particular emphasis on the factors that shape government policies. The first part of the course focuses on issues of economic, social and ideological change and their political implications for social policy making. Here the role played by the electoral system, policy-makers, political parties and the media in policy formation is critically examined. In the second part of the course specific social policies, such as employment, health, income maintenance, are examined in relation to key policy drivers and underpinnings including demographic factors, globalisation, and political ideology.

  • Context and Ideas
  • Policy in Practice

Course learning outcomes

  • Analyse the major social policies, concepts and debates in relation to contemporary Australian politics
  • Understand the relevant social, historical, economic, ideological and international contexts and constraints in which social policy development and debates occur
  • Discuss the political, social and economic factors that guide and constrain government policies and practices
  • Critically analyse government policy-making
  • Produce analytically sophisticated, well substantiated and cogently argued written material that draws on actual policy outcomes in recent Australian political history

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 26362
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 24
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.29
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.29
Class number
Class number 26361
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 24
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 510
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 510
Class number
Class number 26360
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 23
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 144
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 144
Class number
Class number 30377
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 75
Available
Available 71
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus East ,

Magill

Class number
Class number 26365
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H1-10
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H1-10
Class number
Class number 26364
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 11:10am - 1pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04
Class number
Class number 26363
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 24
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-05
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 2:10pm - 4pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-05
Class number
Class number 30378
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 75
Available
Available 74
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Magill ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Fee calculator

To display course fees, please select your status and program below:

We’re updating this Fee Calculator. It currently shows fees for programs only. Please check the relevant program for full fee details.

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.