ATS2256 The mind, the self and political behaviour
Faculty of Arts
ATS2256 The mind, the self and political behaviour is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Overview
In this unit, you will develop a unique perspective of the political world around us by exploring political realities through a psychological, and especially a social-psychological, lens. The primary objectives of the unit are two-fold. The first objective is to examine the key social-psychological concepts, models and theories that are relevant to politics (e.g., personality, social identity, the dynamics of social groups, the role of emotions, etc.)- The second objective is to apply these concepts to various political topics to discern the psychological and social-psychological causes and consequences of political attitudes and behaviour (including opinions and ideologies, leadership, race and intergroup relations, media and political advertising, radicalisation and extremism, political violence, military enlistment and war, etc.)
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- EssayWritten20%
- Case studyWritten50%
- Online testQuiz / Test30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
interpret broad findings from social psychology (and other related disciplines) and apply them to questions related to political attitudes and behaviour;
- 2
recognise and analyse the complex interplay between psychological factors, social context, and politics;
- 3
apply relevant theories to explain the causes and consequences political attitudes and behaviour;
- 4
apply relevant theories towards the development of sociopolitical policies and programs.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
This unit includes case-based teaching, where you apply your knowledge and engage in analytical and reflective thinking to solve complex contextual scenarios. Activities are often designed so that there is not one clear answer, but you need to work together to examine, analyse and make decisions to resolve the situation.
This unit engages you in enquiry-based learning, where you will be encouraged to use your own knowledge to develop and engage in a process of enquiry, study and research to identify areas to be investigated and an approach to doing so.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Where it fits
ATS2256 is part of 5 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- BEHVRSTD03Level 2 unitBehavioural studiesNo reviews yet
- BEHVRSTD01Level 2 cornerstone unitsBehavioural StudiesNo reviews yet
- POLITICS05Level 2 and 3 elective unitsPoliticsNo reviews yet
- POLITICS06Level 2 and 3 elective unitsPoliticsNo reviews yet
- PLTCGOVE02Specialisation elective unitsPolitics and governanceNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Zachary Russell
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Zachary Russell
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ATS2256?
ATS2256 has no prerequisites.
When is ATS2256 offered?
In 2026, ATS2256 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ATS2256?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ATS2256 have an exam?
No. ATS2256 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ATS2256?
ATS2256 is part of Behavioural studies; Behavioural Studies; Politics; and Politics and governance.