Numerous recent elections and referenda have been close-run contests that are disrupting long-held ideas about globalisation and the role of government. Brexit and nationalism in the United Kingdom, Donald Trump and the disruption to the Grand Old Party in the United States, populism in France, the re-emergence of Pauline Hanson in Australia, and a democratic referendum to overturn democracy in Turkey all point towards a new level of dissatisfaction with democratic political systems. Amidst this turmoil, people throughout the world are increasingly looking to political leaders to solve domestic problems of employment, housing, immigration, foreign ownership, and numerous other problems associated with globalisation. Can political leaders solve contemporary political and economic problems? Is populism a reaction to dissatisfaction with democracy as we know it? Is this situation being driven by technological disruption? Students completing this unit will grapple with such issues and develop, through case studies, theoretical and practical insights into political leadership in a post-truth, technologically disrupted world.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Explain, discuss, and critically examine the development of research into, and theories of, leadership, and apply these theories to analyses of political leaders and leadership styles and approaches;

2. Discuss and evaluate the efficacy of various leadership styles and approaches and critically examine the implications of using different forms of information, academic sources, and methodological approaches in conducting research into and analysing political leadership;
3. Explain, discuss, and analyse key contemporary issues and debates in democratic practice;
4. Discuss and analyse ethical norms and key issues and debates regarding the practice of political leadership; and
5. Reflect upon their unit experience, including theories, discussions and feedback, and how it relates to the goals set out in their professional portfolio.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

11235 Introduction to Politics and Government AND must have passed 24 credit points.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

7075 Leadership, Innovation and Change

Assumed knowledge

Students are expected to be conversant with the basic theories of politics and the economy covered in first year units.