Students
POIR980 – International Relations Practice
2017 – S1 Block
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Steve Wood
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
POIR901 and IRPG841 and (admission to MIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MTransInterMIntRel)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| 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.
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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
General Assessment Information
Plagiarism – read this very, very carefully
Plagiarism is more trouble than it is worth. It is unscholarly, unethical, unfair and illegal. It will waste your tutor’s and/or convenor’s time and ultimately your own. You will achieve far better outcomes by avoiding it. Do not do it. At Master’s level there are no excuses whatsoever. If you plagiarise do not claim after the fact that you did not understand what it was. More info at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
In addition to your hard copy submission, to further encourage good scholarship and accuracy in referencing, submit essays electronically to the turnitin link on the unit iLearn site.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in Scenario 1 | 20% | No | March 15 |
| Participation in Scenario 2 | 20% | No | April 5 |
| Participation in Scenario 3 | 20% | No | May 3 |
| Essay | 40% | No | June 5 |
Participation in Scenario 1
Due: March 15
Weighting: 20%
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.
Time limits will apply.
Written notes can be brought to the live exchange.
Please present your notes to the convenor at the end of the session.
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: April 5
Weighting: 20%
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.
Time limits will apply.
Written notes can be brought to the live exchange.
Please present your notes to the convenor at the end of the session.
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 3
Due: May 3
Weighting: 20%
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.
Time limits will apply.
Written notes can be brought to the live exchange.
Please present your notes to the convenor at the end of the session.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and articulate views within a contemporary political debate in verbal and written format
- Develop negotiation and communication skills
- Enhance research skills
Essay
Due: June 5
Weighting: 40%
Essay (3500 words) on one 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.
Please submit a print copy of the essay (direct to the convenor or the Politics and IR office, 4th Floor, W6A) in addition to submitting an exact electronic copy on the unit iLearn site.
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
- Enhance research skills
Delivery and Resources
Seminar setting with live diplomatic role playing simulations.
An introductory lecture and information session will occur on March 1.
The room is 407, 4th Floor, W6A.
There are four sessions in total - introduction and 3 scenarios.
Unit Schedule
There will be an introductory session on March 1 from 10am to 12.00pm.
At this session the scenarios and other information will be presented.
The three scenario sessions are on March 15, April 5, and May 3.
Unless there are unforeseen changes, these sessions will be held in Room 407, 4th Floor, W6A from 10-12 (Wednesdays)
The essay is due on June 5.
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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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
- Participation in Scenario 3
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
- Participation in Scenario 3
- 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
- Participation in Scenario 3
- 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
- Participation in Scenario 3
- 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
- Participation in Scenario 3
- 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