GOVT1661: Semester 1, 2026

Units GOVT1661 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

GOVT1661: Politics and Popular Culture

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

We can understand contemporary debates in politics and international relations by studying popular culture. Indeed, these debates sometimes even unfold in popular culture itself. After introducing major theories and definitions, the unit will apply them in multifaceted ways to popular culture: from memes to science fiction, and from podcasts to music.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Vafa Ghazavi, vafa.ghazavi@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Pen-and-paper exam	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Multiple-choice questions #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 15 Mar 2026 at 23:59	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Critical review Engage with contrasting perspectives on an aspect of politics and popular culture	20%	Week 05 Due date: 29 Mar 2026 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research essay Examine a piece of popular culture through a political lens	40%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial participation Active participation in tutorials	10%	Weekly	In class	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a Credit a good standard, and a Pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: The technology/culture/politics nexus	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	The emergence of mass culture: possibility and critique	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Citizenship and the contest for attention	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Soulcraft, liberalism and beyond	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Pop culture wars	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Stagnation, progress and the politics of desire	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	The Jaws Effect and the role of movies in policymaking	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Soft power and the future of world order	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	The politics of popular music in Hong Kong	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	The political power of Black music in America	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Overcoming the crisis of imagination: from dystopias to worldmaking	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Envisioning AI futures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Envisioning climate futures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 percent of timetabled activities for a unit of study. This includes both lectures and tutorials.

It is important to come to tutorials well prepared, having attended the lecture and done the required readings.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Students should obtain or have access to Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, 20th Anniversary Edition (Penguin Books, 2006).

All other readings for this unit can be found via the readings tab on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand several conceptual and empirical approaches to politics and popular culture, including their areas of disagreement
LO2. use theoretically grounded concepts and frameworks to analyse specific issues in politics and popular culture
LO3. demonstrate familiarity with a broad range of current and classic academic literature on politics and popular culture, including the ability to critically assess scholarly research and understand broadly the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of analysis
LO4. connect scholarly knowledge to current events in a specific and substantive way
LO5. demonstrate intellectual engagement with relevant scholarship as well as critical analysis to illuminate specific topics in politics and popular culture.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit now includes an enhanced focus on civic engagement.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links