Interesting subject but I found the structure a bit disorganised. The lecture content is very different to the tutorials it almost feels like a separate course, the lectures are completely theory based and the tutorials focus on different policy topics each week. The assessments were challenging as it was not a traditional essay and there wasn't a lot of information on how to write them. My tutor was okay, most of our tutorials we were just put into small groups to discuss topics which made for good discussion but there wasn't much connection between the tutorials and the lecture content/theory which would have helped with the last assessment. The whole subject is targeted to people who want to work as a public servant (lecturer states this several times) I would only do this if that is your main interest/goal.

Subject was a bit messy- the content from lectures, tutorials and seminars were all different. BUT you will learn a lot from this subject, especially a practical understanding of how policy is implemented. The assessments are not standard arts essays, they are policy briefs/research papers. So it was a struggle to begin them but you will be provided with a very straight forward, comprehensive guide of what to write and how to format. Although it was intimidating (and I thought I was struggling all the way), I got myself a H1 for both assessment pieces. Tutorial topics are very interesting and grounds for excellent debate. Overall, POLS20008 is worthy of your time as a politics student - don't bother if it will be an elective or breath. The subject coordinator was an angel and I consider myself lucky I had her.

Interesting and informative class to learn about the Australian government. The two assessments that you will do for this subject are policy briefs, and there is not a lot of guidance on how to write them, which resulted in some really trash grades for a few people in my class :// Unfortunately the specific instructions only came after the assessments. Tutorials had some good discussions, but we didn't even look at a piece of Australian policy through out the entire course, which would have been really helpful

Interesting and good first look at what policy is all about. The tutor I had literally said to the class 'I don't want to be here' and was not enthusiastic or engaging at all in discussions. She had an attitude of just wanting to leave as soon as she arrived. This has nothing to do with the subject but just didn't enjoy the course as much because of it.