Students

POIR980 – International Relations Practice

2016 – S1 Block

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Steve Wood
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
POIR901 and IRPG841 and (admission to MIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MTransInterMIntRel)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit draws on knowledge from across the International Relations program, requiring candidates to apply their earlier learning to an urgent and/or controversial theme in international relations – i.e. an international political problem. The participatory exercises are simulations that involve role playing. They require students to acquire (i) some specialist and general theoretical knowledge; (ii) to develop and apply negotiation, communication and practical problem solving abilities; iii) enhance research and writing skills.

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:

  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills
  • Enhance research skills

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Participation in Scenario 1 25% March 24
Participation in Scenario 2 25% May 5
Essay 50% June 2

Participation in Scenario 1

Due: March 24
Weighting: 25%

Through research in the preceding weeks, students have informed themselves on the actor they are to represent and the position/s it is likely to have and propose regarding this scenario. Skills in negotiation, argumentation and communication, as well as background knowledge, are then tested in the role playing forum.

Written notes can be brought to the live exchange.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills
  • Enhance research skills

Participation in Scenario 2

Due: May 5
Weighting: 25%

Through research in the preceding weeks, students have informed themselves on the actor they are to represent and the position/s it is likely to have and propose regarding this scenario. Skills in negotiation, argumentation and communication, as well as background knowledge, are then tested in the role playing forum

Written notes can be brought to the live exchange.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills
  • Enhance research skills

Essay

Due: June 2
Weighting: 50%

Essay (4000 words) on the theme of one or other of these scenarios.

The essay could be a more theoretical or more empirical exploration, it could investigate a negotiation perspective, it could be a policy proposal. In any case it should be academic, properly researched and referenced.

Some suggestions for questions will be proposed in a forthcoming detailed unit guide.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Enhance research skills

Delivery and Resources

seminar setting with live role playing simulations

Unit Schedule

Three main on campus sessions: 3 March, 24 March, 5 May

Other details to be notified

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

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation in Scenario 1
  • Participation in Scenario 2

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills
  • Enhance research skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation in Scenario 1
  • Participation in Scenario 2
  • Essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills
  • Enhance research skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation in Scenario 1
  • Participation in Scenario 2
  • Essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Gain insight into some key concepts and issues in international relations and politics
  • Comprehend relationships between elements of domestic and international political systems including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between political ideas and political action
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills
  • Enhance research skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation in Scenario 1
  • Participation in Scenario 2
  • Essay

PG - Effective Communication

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
  • Develop negotiation and communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation in Scenario 1
  • Participation in Scenario 2
  • Essay

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

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:

Learning outcome

  • Develop negotiation and communication skills