Unit rationale, description and aim
The collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and the end of the Cold War produced a surge in the number of democracies around the world. Yet since the turn of the millennium, this process has seemingly gone into reverse. Not only has Russia itself returned to dictatorship, but illiberal leaders and parties have also made substantial gains in many long-standing democracies. For students of politics to understand the current political mosaic of the world necessitates the study of authoritarianism. What is an authoritarianism? How do military governments, monarchies, fascist dictatorships and other varieties of authoritarian regime differ? How do authoritarian regimes emerge and collapse? What tactics and technologies do authoritarian regimes employ to retain control? Examining authoritarian regimes, including Russia and China, as well as surveying cutting edge comparative research, this course will provide answers to some of these pressing questions.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the nature of authoritarian regimes and t...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically discuss diverse perspectives of how aut...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply concepts, theories, and methods used in the ...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate the capacity to gather, analyse, and a...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to, and conceptualisation of, authoritarianism
- Regime types: single-party regimes, personalist regimes, military regimes
- Transitions to and from authoritarianism
- Authoritarian control: mechanisms and consequences
- Authoritarian rulers and institutions
- Managing the opposition: ideology and repression
- Authoritarian resilience in the 21st century
- Hybrid regimes: competitive and electoral authoritarianism
- The political economy of authoritarian regimes
- The international dimension of authoritarianism
- The future of authoritarianism and democracy
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit are specifically designed to enable students to demonstrate their clear understanding of the complexities of authoritarian regimes in the contemporary world. There is no “right” answer to enquiry in the field of political science: one can approach a question or topic in several legitimate ways. Students are required to provide a coherent, substantiated, structured, and persuasive answer to the specific question asked in each assignment. This unit is assessed based on two take-home written tasks: the first an opinion editorial and the second an essay that reviews themes, analysis and subject matter covered in the unit over the semester. The tutorial assessment requires students to prepare and give an oral presentation that will trigger further discussion and debate in class and respond to the debate/discussion of another presentation. The purpose of this oral assessment is to establish if students can competently apply their understanding of theories of authoritarianism to an empirical case study.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Tutorial Presentation Tutorial Pr...
Assessment 1: Tutorial Presentation
Tutorial Presentation and participation in the debate following another presentation.
20%
Assessment 2: Case Study Case Study ...
Assessment 2: Case Study
Case Study requires students to write an 1,000-word analysis on a specific authoritarian regime
30%
Assessment 3: Final Essay/Take-Home Exam Final ...
Assessment 3: Final Essay/Take-Home Exam
Final Essay/Take Home Exam requires students to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject matter, critical analysis of the relevant literature, and to incorporate and synthesise relevant conceptual/theoretical ideas
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit offers two formal ways of learning and teaching. Lectures are organised based on case-based learning, a format that involves deep learning. Students explore real world challenges and problems, an undertaking that requires them to demonstrate their investigative, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Case-based learning requires learning specific theories and concepts that complement the conceptual tools and theoretical knowledge critical to analysing approaches to authoritarianism. In addition to conceptual and theoretical discussions, students closely investigate a specific case study to illustrate the institutions, mechanisms employed, and behaviour patterns commonly exhibited by authoritarian regimes.
Tutorials for this unit provide opportunities for active and collaborative learning. Students engage in course-specific activities including writing, interrogating ideas, exploring case studies and giving presentations. Relevant readings also enhance students’ knowledge of the various perspectives on authoritarian regimes As well as promoting analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of lecture content, these activities are designed to build skills appropriate to second year study in Politics and International Relations. The unit will consist of face-to-face teaching using lectures and tutorials or equivalent.
This 10-credit point unit has been for 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support your learning such as lectures, tutorials, reading, reflection, discussion, webinars, podcasts, video etc.