Students

POL 279 – International Relations

2016 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Morris Morley
Contact via morris.morley@mq.edu.au
Diana Perche
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp or (3cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will investigate the origins, evolution and demise of the 'Cold War', largely through the prism of American–Soviet rivalry in the Third World: from the politics of containment and conflict during the 1950s and 1960s; to the rise and demise of superpower 'detente' in the 1970s; to a revival of superpower conflict during the Reagan era; to the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the 1980s and the return to the world of a single superpower (United States) in the 1990s. We will conclude by posing two broad questions: why did the Cold War end and what effect, if any, has this development has on post-Cold War American policy toward the Third World up to the present time. The case studies include the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Cuba, Afghanistan and Iraq.

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:

  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Short essay 10% Friday March 25, 5PM
Long essay 50% May 9, 5PM to May 12,5PM
Final Exam 40% TBA

Short essay

Due: Friday March 25, 5PM
Weighting: 10%

 

Short analytical essay (10%): This essay must be 500-600 words, double-spaced and in 12 point type. The deadline for submission is 5pm Friday, March 25. Unless granted an extension, no essays will be accepted after the due date 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Long essay

Due: May 9, 5PM to May 12,5PM
Weighting: 50%

 

Major research essay (50%): This essay must be 1,800 to 2,000 words [not including footnotes/endnotes and bibliography], double-spaced and in 12 point type.

The deadline for submission of Essays is 5pm Monday, May 9 to 5pm Thursday May 12.   Unless granted an extension no essays received after May 12 will be marked.  Essays less than the required length will automatically receive a failing grade.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Final Exam

Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

Exam


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Delivery and Resources

Extensions in this unit are only granted under exceptional circumstances, such as a major unexpected illness or accident. They are not granted for a failure to organize your time (e.g., leaving everything until the last week or two before the deadline or a minor doctor’s appointment).

 

UNIT READINGS

Bound volume of POL279 Unit Readings [Available from Coop Bookstore]

 

EXAMINATIONS

Examination timetable [final draft] on web approximately four weeks before the commencement of the exam period

 

REQUEST FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION TO SIT FOR SCHEDULED EXAM OUTSIDE OF THE DESIGNATED EXAMINATION PERIOD [JUNE 13 - 27-]

 

Under strictly enforced University regulations, you must be available to attend a compulsory examination at any time between the above dates. The only circumstances the University recognizes as an ‘unavoidable disruption,’ thus allowing the student to sit the examination at an earlier or later date are the following:

 

  • Representing Australia at an international sporting or cultural event
  • Member of the armed forces involved in compulsory exercises
  • In full time employment and required to be overseas by employer
  • Travelling overseas [from Aust.] on student exchange as part of degree program
  • Representing Macquarie University at an intervarsity event
  • Documented iIlness or unavoidable disruption (e.g. accident on day of exam)

 

In each of these cases, the relevant documentary evidence must be provided. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are no exceptions such as vacation, returning home or other travel arrangements.

 

Unit Schedule

13 weeks of lectures and tutorials.Details on the iLearn website.

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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

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 outcome

  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Short essay
  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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

  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Short essay
  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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

  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Short essay
  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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

  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Short essay
  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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

  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Short essay
  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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

  • The development of critical analysis skills.
  • Independent judgments
  • Improved written and oral communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Short essay
  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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 outcome

  • Independent judgments

Assessment tasks

  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

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

  • Independent judgments

Assessment tasks

  • Long essay
  • Final Exam

Changes since First Published

Date Description
01/02/2016 Updates
31/01/2016 Updates provided