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2025

 
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VCE Humanities

Politics - Unit 4

Prerequisites

Politics Unit 3. 

Course Description

Politics Unit 4: Power in the Indo-Pacific 

In this unit, students investigate the strategic competition for power and influence in the Indo-Pacific region. They consider the interests and perspectives of global actors within the region, including the challenges to regional cooperation and stability. Building on their study of global issues and contemporary crises in Unit 3, students develop their understanding of power and national interests through an in-depth examination of People’s Republic of China’s perspectives, interests and actions. Students also examine Australia’s strategic interests and actions in the region and consider how Australia’s responses to regional issues and crises may have contributed to political stability and/or change. They do this within the context of Australia’s relationships with one Pacific Island state and two other regional states. 

Areas of Study

Power and the national interest 

  • How is power exercised in the Indo-Pacific region? 
  • How has one selected state defined its national interests?  
  • What are the challenges that inhibit the achievement of a state’s national interests? 
  • How effective is the state in using power to achieve its national interests? 

Australia in the Indo-Pacific 

  • How does Australia perceive its strategic and national interests in the region? 
  • How does Australia go about achieving those interests? 
  • What are the different perspectives on Australia’s role in the region? 
  • What are the key challenges to Australia’s regional relationships? 
  • How has Australia responded to regional issues and crises and what are the impacts of those responses on regional relations? 

Assessment

Outcomes

Assessment Tasks

(school-assessed coursework)

Analyse the various sources and forms of power used by a state in the Indo-Pacific region and evaluate the extent to which it is able to achieve its national interests. 

Each of the following assessment tasks must be completed over Units 3 and 4: 

  • a political inquiry 
  • analysis and evaluation of sources 
  • extended responses 
  • short-answer questions  
  • an essay. 

Analyse different perspectives on Australia’s national interests in the Indo-Pacific region and evaluate the degree to which Australia’s pursuit of its national interests has resulted in cooperation or conflict with three states in the region. 

End of year exam: 2 hours

 

Overall Final Assessment 

Graded Assessment Title Assessment Exam Duration Contribution to Study Score (%)
1 Unit 3 Coursework School-assessed   25
2 Unit 4 Coursework School-assessed   25
3 Written Examination November 2 hours 50