JSB261 Theories of Government
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSB261 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 96 Credit Points of Completed Study |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,204 |
| International unit fee | $4,368 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB261 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 96 credit points of study |
| Coordinator: | Jacinta Zylstra | jacinta.zylstra@qut.edu.au |
Overview
You cannot fully understand our system of government without understanding the history of the theories that have led to this point. This is core knowledge for working in policy or politics. This unit will run through all the major theories of how governments should operate and the basis of authority, legitimacy and freedom. JSB261 Theory of Government will provide you with the necessary knowledge of what our system of government is designed to do and why we have this rather than another system of government.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe theories of government and how they work in Australian contexts
- Analyse current political debate and policy to identify underpinning theories of government
- Communicate political theories in a concise and clear manner to non-expert audiences
Content
- Why do we need political theory?
- Origins of Modern Theory - Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau
- Liberalism and Conservatism
- Socialism
- Marxism
- Democracy
- Anarchism and Libertarianism
- Authoritarianism and Fascism
- Nationalism
- First Nations Perspectives on Government
Learning Approaches
The unit is available in internal and online mode and has a multi-faceted approach to teaching. Internal mode delivery involves two-hour lectorials. Online delivery requires students to listen to the audio lectorial recordings, complete set readings, participate in Collaborate sessions and complete online assessment.
You will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning and to work as an effective and supportive team member.
Everyone is encouraged to develop a commitment to reflect on the practical and applied aspects, as well as to critically evaluate the knowledge, information and understanding derived from the unit content. All students are expected to complete relevant readings and modules available on Canvas.
A central feature of the approach to teaching and learning for this unit is the embedding of various skills and knowledge that contribute to the five course learning outcomes that you are expected to learn and demonstrate.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- criteria sheet grading
Assessment
Overview
There are two different pieces of assessment for this unit, which comprise both formative and summative assessment and reflect the aims and objectives of the unit. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that you have a broad discipline knowledge of theories of government and are able to explain and apply those theories to real issues and in authentic professional contexts.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Podcast
You have been hired by the public broadcasting company to produce a podcast for high school students that debates theories of government and highlights the relevance to their everyday lives. The debate will need to outline the key principles of the theories, and apply the theories to explain a recent social justice event seen in the news. Your podcast will be accompanied by an infographic.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Blog Post
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Andrew Heywood "Political Ideologies" - 6th edition. Available for purchase at the QUT bookshop.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | JSB261 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 96 credit points of study |
Overview
You cannot fully understand our system of government without understanding the history of the theories that have led to this point. This is core knowledge for working in policy or politics. This unit will run through all the major theories of how governments should operate and the basis of authority, legitimacy and freedom. JSB261 Theory of Government will provide you with the necessary knowledge of what our system of government is designed to do and why we have this rather than another system of government.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe theories of government and how they work in Australian contexts
- Analyse current political debate and policy to identify underpinning theories of government
- Communicate political theories in a concise and clear manner to non-expert audiences
Content
- Why do we need political theory?
- Origins of Modern Theory - Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau
- Liberalism and Conservatism
- Socialism
- Marxism
- Democracy
- Anarchism and Libertarianism
- Authoritarianism and Fascism
- Nationalism
- First Nations Perspectives on Government
Learning Approaches
The unit is available in internal and online mode and has a multi-faceted approach to teaching. Internal mode delivery involves two-hour lectorials. Online delivery requires students to listen to the audio lectorial recordings, complete set readings, participate in Collaborate sessions and complete online assessment.
You will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning and to work as an effective and supportive team member.
Everyone is encouraged to develop a commitment to reflect on the practical and applied aspects, as well as to critically evaluate the knowledge, information and understanding derived from the unit content. All students are expected to complete relevant readings and modules available on Canvas.
A central feature of the approach to teaching and learning for this unit is the embedding of various skills and knowledge that contribute to the five course learning outcomes that you are expected to learn and demonstrate.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- criteria sheet grading
Assessment
Overview
There are two different pieces of assessment for this unit, which comprise both formative and summative assessment and reflect the aims and objectives of the unit. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that you have a broad discipline knowledge of theories of government and are able to explain and apply those theories to real issues and in authentic professional contexts.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Podcast
You have been hired by the public broadcasting company to produce a podcast for high school students that debates theories of government and highlights the relevance to their everyday lives. The debate will need to outline the key principles of the theories, and apply the theories to explain a recent social justice event seen in the news. Your podcast will be accompanied by an infographic.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Blog Post
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Andrew Heywood "Political Ideologies" - 6th edition. Available for purchase at the QUT bookshop.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.