In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.

This course component will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the course component may not be available to be studied remotely.

Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.

About this major

Politics is the study of the nature of governments and the distribution of power at the domestic level. Gain the knowledge, theoretical understandings, and practical skills that underpin a successful career that engages with politics at the domestic level. You will focus on how individuals participate in and are affected by politics, and how governing bodies that shape peoples' lives make decisions.

Compare key elements of political systems including government institutions, political parties, interest groups, elections, patterns of political participation, and social movements. At the end of your study you will be equipped with the key concepts, theories and methods used across the discipline of political science.

Key research and teaching areas include:

• comparative politics: looking at the way politics is conducted in different nations, and the impact of different political systems and structure on the distribution of power in society
• politics at a domestic level: the study of Australian politics, including the role of political parties and elections, interest groups and social movements, and the position of Australia in its region
• the policy-making process and the way governments create and implement public policy
• key issues: elections, political protest, environmental politics, leadership, state economies, constitutions, and differing political systems.

As a graduate you will have the skills desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, domestically and in different political contexts across the world.