Students

POIR615 – Introduction to Global Politics

2015 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Noah Bassil
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertPP or GradCertIntRel
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Old ways of examining international politics may need rethinking. This unit introduces students to the key issues, institutions, ideas and structures that are at the forefront of the changes reshaping the world we live in. Knowledge, power, interests, centre-periphery, resistance and reaction are key concepts covered in this unit, with the aim of giving students the foundations for understanding global politics and the tools necessary for undertaking postgraduate study in politics and international relations and in public policy.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Develop an introductory understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues specific to International Relations.
  • Explain the relationship between the major elements of the international system in terms of institutions, and their historical contingency.
  • Explicate the major debates and controversies in contemporary global society.
  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations
  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Class Participation 10% Ongoing
Case Study 25% Varies
Essay Plan 15% End of Week 6
Major Research Essay 50% Essay is due Monday May 18

Class Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Each week you will have consulted the relevant information on i-learn before reading and attending/listening to the lectures in preparation for posting on the on-line discussion board. 

Marks are only awarded to those who demonstrate an awareness of the course materials by actively participating in the on-line discussions. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an introductory understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues specific to International Relations.
  • Explain the relationship between the major elements of the international system in terms of institutions, and their historical contingency.
  • Explicate the major debates and controversies in contemporary global society.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations
  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Case Study

Due: Varies
Weighting: 25%

You will choose or be assigned a topic that you will research and write an 1000 word essay or report on. Each if you will look for a contemporary issue and analyse it from the perspective of the topic you are assigned such as security or development or multilateralism. You will also be assigned a particular angle from which to analyse it and present in a paper outlining your position to the group on-line and engage in on-line discussion if it transpires. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an introductory understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues specific to International Relations.
  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations
  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Essay Plan

Due: End of Week 6
Weighting: 15%

This assessment is intended to inform and prepare you for the submission of the major essay. In this task, you select the topic for their major essay and then set about doing the preliminary research and planning for the essay. in doing so, you are asked to provide an annotated bibliography with three entries of key works you will use in their major essay. Also, you will submit an essay plan. Extensive instructions on both the format and detail of the annotated bibliography and essay plan will be provided in class. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an introductory understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues specific to International Relations.
  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations

Major Research Essay

Due: Essay is due Monday May 18
Weighting: 50%

Essay of maximum 3000 words. Questions will be made available on ilearn. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an introductory understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues specific to International Relations.
  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations

Delivery and Resources

2 x 1 hr Lecture (Wednesdays 10-11am in C5C T1 and Fridays 2-3pm in C5C T1)

1 x 1 hr Tutorial (TBA)

 

REQUIRED READING

Textbook: 

Lawson, S. (2012). International Relations. 2nd Edition. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. Available from the Co-op Bookshop. 

 

All other readings will be available from ilearn

Unit Schedule

Week 1

Lecture 1: Welcome and Course Information

Lecture 2: An introduction to theories of Global Politics

Week 2

Lecture 1: Theory and History of International Relations (1648-1918)

Lecture 2:Theory and History of International Relations (1918-1990)

Week 3

Lecture 1:Theory and History of International Relations/Global Politics (1990-2015)

Lecture 2: Essay Writing and Referencing with Practical Examples

Week 4

Lecture 1:Knowledge/Power: International Relations as an American Social Science

Lecture 2: International Relations from the Peripheries: Contesting Anglo-American IR

Week 5

Lecture 1: Security: state security and the monopoly of violence

Lecture 2: Human Security, intervention and R2P

Week 6

Lecture 1:Essay Writing and Research skills

Lecture 2: No lecture: end of first half of S1

Week 7

Lecture 1: The global politics of the rise of China

Lecture 2: The global politics of environmental crisis

Week 8

Lecture 1:Introducing International/Global Political Economy (IPE/GPE)

Lecture 2:International Institutions: Explaining the Bretton Woods System

Week 9

Lecture 1: Neoliberalism, the GFC and Global Politics

Lecture 2: Culture and Global Politics

Week 10

 

No Lectures or Tutorials

Essay Due Monday May 18 (Monday Week 11)

 

Week 11

Lecture 1: Democracy and the Contemporary Global Order: correspondence or conflict

Lecture 2: Resistance and Revolutions: from Tahrir Square to the Occupy Movement

Week 12

Lecture 1: Beyond IR: does the world we now live in need a new scholarly project?

Lecture 2: What can we do to change the world?

Week 13

Lecture 1: Teaching Evaluations and concluding comments

Lecture 2: No Lecture

Learning and Teaching Activities

Tutorials

Community of Enquiry

Policies and Procedures

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.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations

Assessment tasks

  • Case Study
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations
  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Case Study
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations
  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Case Study
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an introductory understanding of the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues specific to International Relations.
  • Explain the relationship between the major elements of the international system in terms of institutions, and their historical contingency.
  • Explicate the major debates and controversies in contemporary global society.

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the relationship between the major elements of the international system in terms of institutions, and their historical contingency.
  • Explicate the major debates and controversies in contemporary global society.
  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations

Assessment tasks

  • Case Study
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the relationship between the major elements of the international system in terms of institutions, and their historical contingency.
  • Explicate the major debates and controversies in contemporary global society.
  • Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of global and regional powers in promoting or preventing order and justice in international relations
  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations

Assessment tasks

  • Case Study
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Show strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate independent research skills in the discipline of Politics and International Relations

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Case Study
  • Essay Plan
  • Major Research Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explicate the major debates and controversies in contemporary global society.
  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Assessment task

  • Class Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Encouraging students to see themselves as agents of positive change

Assessment task

  • Class Participation