1997 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

Recommended reading
Hill, C. Reformation to Industrial Revolution 1J30-1780.
Harmondswonh, Penguin, 1969
Wolf, E. Europe and the People Without History. Berkeley,
University of California, 1982
AP204 Modern Japan
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or an approved equivalent
Assessment: essays and/or exam
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
Discussion centres around the problems of Japanese
nationalism reflected in the nature of Japan's modernisation,
the consequences of her emergence as a world power, her
defeat, and re-emergence as an economic power. An
examination of the social configuration of Japanese society
will shed light on what are claimed to be the characteristic
features which distinguish contemporary Japan from other
industrialised societies, especially in politics, education,
business operations and employer-employee relations.
Recommended reading
Beasley, W.G. The Rise of Modem Japan, London, Weiderfield &
Nicolson, 1990.
AP206 Politics of China A
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: one stage one
political studies subject Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
In 1949 the Chinese Communist Party came to power after
the defeat of the Nationalists. This subject investigates the
development of 'New China' through an examination of the
political system, different models for economic growth,
social restructuring, mass campaigns and the place given to
dissent. Through an examination of these issues, an
understanding of the factors that have made China the
nation it is today, its political culture, shifting ideological
framework and changing relations with the West will be
reached. By the end of the subject, some insights into the
future options that lie before China will be possible.
Recommended reading
Meisner, M. Mao's China and A h. New York, The Free Press,
1986
Spence, J. The Search For Modm China. New York, W.W.
ort ton& Company, 1990
Townsend, J. and Womack, B. Politics in China. 3rd edn, Boston,
Little Brown, 1986
AP207 Modern Australia
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or equivalent Assessment: essays and
tutorial participation
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
This subject explores the patterns of change that have
shaped contemporary Australia. It starts by looking at the
attempts to build a fairer society at the turn of the century,
and at the modern social institutions which emereed from
that process. It next considers the impact of the Great War,
of prosperity in the 1920s and depression in the 1930s on the
manner in which wealth and power were shared. It then
examines how the experience of those thirty years shaped
the grand plans to establish a more just and secure nation
after the Second World War. Through a survey of the long
post-war boom, it analyses the effects of Australia's relations
with its major allies on domestic and foreign policies. The
subject concludes with a study of the ways in which recent
governments have tried to adapt national interests to a
rapidly changing world.
Recommended reading
Macintyre, S. The Oxford History of Australia, vo1.4,1901-1942, The
Succeeding Age, Melbourne, Oxford University Press, 1986
AP208 Politics and Society
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or an approved equivalent
Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
This subject cannot be taken by students who have passed
AP201 Political Sociology.
Objectives and Content
In this subject, key aspects of the relationships between .
politics and society are examined. It is an introduction to the
theme of power and its exercise. Its main objective is to
provide students with the basic skills necessary to identify
and understand major forms of power, which they can apply
to their immediate environment or to the broader
dimensions of society.
Topics to be considered include the historical background to
political sociology; classic views about the nature of human
beings and society; an analysis of the concepts of power,
authority and influence, with reference to Max Weber; the
problem of locating power in modern society and an
examination of three theories of power and society, namely
Marxist, elitist and pluralist theories; the definition of
democracy and the debate about its various models.
Recommended reading
Dowse, R.E. and Hughes, J.A. Political Sociology. London, Wiley,
1972, ch. 1
AP300 Public Policy in Australia
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: APlOO or
equivalent, two stage two political studies subjects
Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Obiectives and Content
In ;his subject the decision and policy-making structures and
processes of the Australian Federal Government are
examined. While the focus is on the Federal Government,
other institutions and actors in the policy process will also,
where necessary, be examined. This could include state
government, business and labour organisations, and other
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