If there’s one thing I’ve taken away from this subject, it’s section 92 of the Constitution: “intercourse between the states shall be absolutely free”. Hear, hear.
Exam Duration: 2 hours.
Exam Format: a short answer section, an essay (either comparing the US and Australian political systems or the need for reform in the Australian system), and another essay (either on domestic or foreign policy).
Weight of Revision Notes: 575 grams (20.28 ounces), consisting of 108 pages.
Exam Fun Level: 3
Victim’s Comments: I’m what you’d call a subject refugee when it comes to NatPols. Last year, I wanted to do Renaissance History, which dear Mr Delany neglected to offer, then I chose Classics, at which point dear Mr Delany regretted to inform me didn’t have enough students to run, then I was going to do Australian History in a last ditch effort to find a subject that I could actually do well in, but that clashed with Chinese. The only reason I thought I might possibly be able to cope with NatPols was because Mum was teaching it at another school when I put in my subject preferences. Then Mum stopped teaching it because dear Mr Delany decided to treechange up to Gippsland and she wound up with his job (when I say “wound up with” I actually mean “completed a rigorous interview process”, of course). And I’ve just found out that next year Mum is offering Classics — not that I’m bitter and twisted.
I actually enjoyed studying National Politics. Occasionally. Very occasionally. But mostly I just felt sorry for myself and spent hours defacing photos of politicians in OpEd pieces. But the teacher was good, the class was good, the exam was less good but not a total loss, dear Mr Delany is now roaming the Gippsland Mountains in his paisley shirt, and Mum, the Human ATM, is that much closer to me for frequent polymer withdrawals. Don’t you love happy endings?
Exam Duration: 2 hours (and 15 minutes reading time) in NHS’ mouldering hall, not that I don’t love its moulderingness and all.