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    Overview

    The study of institutions and processes of the New Zealand political system. Particularly the formal structure of government, political parties and interest groups, the citizen and political participation.

    POLS102 is designed to educate you about New Zealand politics and get you thinking more about some of the major debates it involves. The paper will teach you about the way things work (like the voting system), about what the major institutions are and what they do (like Parliament), and about New Zealand’s political history. It will also encourage you to think critically about public policy, political parties, politicians, elections, social and political inequality, media, and to discuss major policy issues such climate change, student fees and debt, and New Zealand’s foreign policy.

    About this paper

    Paper title Aotearoa New Zealand Politics – Introduction
    Subject Politics
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,040.70
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music
    Eligibility
    The study of Politics at 100-level does not require any specific previous study. An interest in national and international affairs is an advantage.
    Contact
    politics@otago.ac.nz
    Teaching staff

    Associate Professor Brian Roper

    Paper Structure

    POLS102 has lectures which are recorded, with power point slides available on Blackboard. There is a requirement to attend lectures.

    Textbooks

    Janine Hayward (ed), 2021, New Zealand Government and Politics, Seventh edition, Oxford University Press.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will:

    • Know what government is and how it works.
    • Develop an awareness of the wider social and economic context.
    • Engage with theoretical perspectives that explain why governments do what they do.
    • Learn about New Zealand's political past.

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 16:00-16:50 29-35, 37-42
    Wednesday 17:00-17:50 29-35, 37-42

    Tutorial

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Wednesday 16:00-16:50 30-35, 38-40
    A2 Wednesday 09:00-09:50 30-35, 38-40
    A3 Wednesday 11:00-11:50 30-35, 38-40
    A4 Wednesday 09:00-09:50 30-35, 38-40
    A5 Wednesday 10:00-10:50 30-35, 38-40
    A6 Wednesday 10:00-10:50 30-35, 38-40
    A7 Wednesday 13:00-13:50 30-35, 38-40
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