Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Aleksandar Pavkovic
Contact via aleksandar.pavkovic@mq.edu.au
W6A 433
from April 28
Lavina Lee
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or PGDipIntRel or PGCertIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MTransInterMIntRel or MA in (History or Modern History) or PGDipArts in Modern History or PGCertArts in Modern History or GradCertIntRel or GradDipIntRel
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
IRPG S1 Evening
IRPG S1 External
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Unit description |
Unit description
In spite of the rapid spread of globalisation and the cross-border interaction of non-governmental actors, international relations are still dominated by states. The states are military organisations structurally geared to resolve conflicts by the use of organised violence, ie their military. Apart from states, other groups – both clandestine terrorist groups and mass political movements – use organised violence in the international arena. This unit will address the question: what conflicts in the international area are most likely to lead to violence? In other words, what is so attractive about violence as a means of conflict-resolution? In an attempt to answer these questions, the unit will examine theoretical approaches to the problem of violence in international conflicts as well as different case studies of interstate warfare (World War II, Iran-Iraq war), international terrorism (Al-Qaeda, PLO) military and humanitarian intervention in civil wars and secessionist conflict (Kosovo, Rwanda, Afghanistan).
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
STUDENTS HAVE TO PASS ALL FOUR ASSESSMENTS IN ORDER TO PASS THE UNIT.
Research essay is the most challenging assessment in the unit and those students who have inadquate essay writing skills should seek support for their writing skills. The University offers a wide variety of academic writing workshops both for undergraduates and postgraduates as well as other types of support in this area (see under Student Support, Policies and Procedures below). You are strongly recommended to take those workshops, in particular if you are not a native speaker of English.
Students who have inadequate writing skills in English are likely to fail in this unit.
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Short paper | 10% | 27 March |
Tutorial presentation | 10% | each student chooses a topic |
Research essay | 40% | 11 May 2013 |
Examination | 40% | to be set by the Registrar |
Due: 27 March
Weighting: 10%
The paper, not exceeding 900 words (3 typed pages), will discuss one of the three set questions which will be posted on the unit web page 3 weeks before the due date. These questions will deal with the issues discussed in lectures and readings in the first four weeks of the unit. The aim of this paper is to test the comprehension of external students and their engagement with the unit. It should also provide students with some feedback on their work and thus enable them to improve their performance in the research essay.
A student would have to pass this assassment task in order to proceed with the unit.
Students should upload the paper via the Turntin facility on the unit webpage on due date.
Due: each student chooses a topic
Weighting: 10%
Each student will give a presentation in class of approximately 10 to 15 minutes, addressing a specific issue within the topic of the tutorial class. The presentation should aim at starting a discussion in class and it should be concise, coherent and focused. You can use contemporary examples in your discussion of the relevant topic. For example, you can discuss in class an opinion or analysis article from a reputable media source (website, newsprint, journal article etc).
The evaluation of the oral presentation will be based on the level and quality of infomration that it provides and its internal coherence.
Due: 11 May 2013
Weighting: 40%
The research essay needs to be written in reply to ONE of the essay questions which will be posted on the unit web page.
Length: 2500 words (excluding footnotes and bibliographies). The essay should be based on research using secondary and/or primary sources. For this purpose it is highly recommended that you read beyond that required within the required readings and the recommended text.
The essay has to follow the essay writing guide posted on the unit webpage. In addition, you should make use of any writing workshops and resources available through the University Student support.
The essay will be marked according to the Marking Criteria posted on the Unit webpage.
The essay needs to be uploaded by due date using the Turnitin facility on the unit web page.
Due: to be set by the Registrar
Weighting: 40%
The examination will cover all the topics covered in this unit. The answers will be given in the form of short essays (not more than 300 words each). The aim is to test comprehension of the principal topics and the student’s ability to apply the concepts introduced in the course to the issues discussed in the course. The examination aims to test not the ability to memorize dates and events (only a limited memory of those is needed) but the ability to offer a coherent account of theoretical approaches and relevant case-studies. The questions will be based on the readings and lectures only.
For internal students: No others materials except printed language dictionaries will be allowed in the examination.
There is a two hour lecture and one hour tutorial in this unit.
The lecture powepoints will be available on the unit’s webpage a day before the lecture.
Lectures are taped and are accessible via iLearn to both internal and external students. Three lectures: week 2, 11 and 12 are flipped - you will watch pre-recorded videos and discuss their content in class (lecture class).
Each weekly topic will have a required reading. The list of readings will be posted on the unit webpage. The readings will be available at the Reserve or E-reserve of the Library.
There is no single textbook. The book that is used most often is in the required readings is:
Leashing the Dogs of War: Conflict Management in the Divided World.Edited by Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson and Pamella Aall. United States Institute of Peace Press, 2008.
A separate list of sources for the research essay will be posted on the unit webpage.
Here is a list of weekly topics. Each of those topics has required readings which will be posted on the unit web page. You are asked to read the required texts before the class.
Classes in week 2, 11 and 12 will be flipped: this means that you will watch videos at home and read the required material (including the written lecture in week 11) and then we shall discuss what you have read and seen in the lecture class (instead of the lecture).
Week 1 |
War as a form of collective political violence |
Week 2 |
How to analyse wars: levels of analyis (flipped) |
Week 3 |
Intra-state conflict: civil wars (Sri Lanka, Kosovo, Islamic State) |
Week 4 |
Contest over territory. Case studies: World War II, Iraq-Iran war (1980) |
Week 5 |
War over territory: theoretical approaches |
Week 6 |
State rivalry as a cause of war: World War I and Korean War |
Week 7 |
Causes of inter-state wars: theoretical approaches |
Week 8 |
To change a regime: recent wars in Iraq and Afganistan |
Week 9 |
Reading week: no classes . Preparing for submission of the research essay |
Week 10 |
Causes of inter-state war: making states and failing states |
Week 11 |
“Humanitarian wars”: military intervention for humanitarian causes (flipped class, written lecture, videos) |
Week 12 |
New technologies of warfare: Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) (flipped; lecture plus interview on video) |
Week 13 |
Reading week: no classes |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
For the attention of all!
Students should note that any request for extension or special consideration should go through the Special Consideration procedure outline above and not through the convenor of the unit.
Students should note that all assessments are compulsory and that the failure to complete an assessment would lead to the fail mark for the entire unit.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Introduction of flipped classrooms and changes in the content of several standard lectures.