0901 Political Science and Policy Studies

Political Science and Policy Studies is the study of political theories, processes, events and institutions, the operation and function of government, and the development and analysis of public and other policies.

The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of political systems and processes, the links between political structures and social and economic development, the social and political aspects of power, how societies govern themselves, how nations relate to each other in a global society, and policy development.

Courses in Narrow Field 0901 Political Science and Policy Studies develop skills in:

• analysing the various factors affecting voting behaviour and the nature of political campaigning
• evaluating and interpreting the links between political structures and social and economic development
• evaluating the effect of economic and political change, and government policy on international relations

This narrow field comprises the following detailed fields:

090101  Political Science
090103  Policy Studies

Political Science is the study of political ideas, processes, institutions and behaviour, and how they influence public decisions within and among communities.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• business-government relations
• comparative political systems
• electoral behaviour
• international relations
• political ideologies

Policy Studies is the study of analysing and developing policies to achieve societal and corporate goals.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• Australian foreign policy
• socio-environmental policy
• public policy development
• regional development policy
• social policy analysis