V.C.E. Politics Exam Completed
November 14, 2000
Year 12 students around Victoria today sat for the 2000 Political Studies examination. A copy of the paper can be downloaded by clicking here.
The exam was remarkably straight-forward, no doubt as a concession to the new course structure introduced this year. The old Parliament and Executive Government topics have been combined into one topic, as have the old Political Parties and Pressure Groups topics. Essay questions have been evenly divided to match this new format, presenting all students with ample opportunity to show what they know.
A new section on electoral behaviour has been added to the Voting and Elections topic. An essay question asking for a discussion of the influence of leadership compared to other factors in election outcomes is an appropriate stimulus for students who have studied this topic.
A complete new topic on Australian foreign policy forms part of the new course. The short answer questions ask students to name two current agreements and/or treaties to which Australia is a party (most will say ANZUS and APEC), to describe the aims of foreign policy and to explain why trade is important to Australian foreign policy. The essay topics focus on the factors influencing the formation of foreign policy and Australia's responsibilities as a global citizen.
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