Students
POIR203 – Theories of World Politics
2018 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jonathan Symons
Contact via jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au
Australian Hearing Hub
Tuesdays 3-4 pm or by appointment (arrange via email)
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
POL108
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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 introduces students to the major theories of international relations, key debates that have shaped the discipline and interconnections between theory and the actual practice of international politics. International relations was founded as a distinct discipline shortly after the First World War, with the explicit goal of identifying the causes of war and peace. While war and great power conflict remain central concerns, the discipline has grappled with new challenges as de-colonisation and globalisation have created a densely interconnected global system of sovereign states. Students will engage with key themes including power, great power rivalry, nationalism, national interest, critical approaches, justice and cooperation under anarchy.
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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:
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
- Access a wide range of resources related to theories of international relations.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
General Assessment Information
Late Submission Penalty
“Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes and the take-home exam unless prior arrangements have been made via email with the unit convenor.”
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Reading Quizzes | 15% | No | Sunday 11pm most weeks. |
| Research Essay & Presentation | 45% | Yes | Week 8 - Friday 5pm. |
| Take home examination | 30% | No | Week 13 |
| Class participation | 10% | Yes | Weekly |
Online Reading Quizzes
Due: Sunday 11pm most weeks.
Weighting: 15%
Online reading quizzes (via ilearn) will run in weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 &10. Grades will be based on your best 6 (out of 7) quiz results. These quizzes will assess comprehension of assigned weekly readings and will be based on questions set out in the weekly 'reading guide' (available in advance on ilearn). Each quiz must be completed before 11 pm on the evening before the lecture. You will have 20 minutes from the time you log into the weekly quiz in which to complete it. Each weekly quiz is worth 2.5 % of your total grade (2.5% x 6 = 15%). This means it is possible to skip one quiz without penalty. Further information and sample quiz questions will be available from ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Research Essay & Presentation
Due: Week 8 - Friday 5pm.
Weighting: 45%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
This is a research essay of 2500 words. Essay questions and marking criteria will be provided on iLearn. All students are required to submit their essays via the turnitin link on ilearn. All students should select the essay question they will address by the end of week 4 and post their choice to ilearn (a discussion thread will be provided). Since your class presentation is based on your essay, the timing of your class presentation may be determined by your choice of essay question.
Internal students will be required to give a 5 minute presentation summarising their essay's argument during class, while external students will have the opportunity to present a short summary of their essay's argument on ilearn. These presentations should summarise your essay's central question and your argument in response. You should also raise a question for discussion by the class. Presentations will not be graded separately, but they are a hurdle requirement for completion of the course and you may be asked to discuss your presentation with your tutor after class.
All students are encouraged to submit an introductory paragraph that outlines the central argument and essay structure to the unit convenor by the end of week 6 (via email: jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au), so they can receive feedback prior to completing the essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
- Access a wide range of resources related to theories of international relations.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Take home examination
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
An end-of-semester take home exam will cover content drawn from the entire unit. The exam will consist of 2 questions and the maximum word length will be 2000 words. Late submission of the exam will not be accepted.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
- Access a wide range of resources related to theories of international relations.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Class participation
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Internal Students Participation: 10% of internal students' final grade will be based on participation. Students will be asked to submit class participation and reflection notes for 3 weeks of in-class activities (3 x 3.33% = 10%). Students will choose which three activities to submit notes for (activities will run in weeks 3, 5, 9, 10 & 11). Students will submit their notes to ilearn (300 to 500 words) by 11.59pm on the day of their tutorial. Detailed instructions will be available on ilearn. Alternative task: Internal students who are unable to participate for a valid reason (documented ill health or special circumstances on three or more of the above dates) will have the opportunity to submit a replacement essay by consultation with their tutor.
Internal Students' Attendance: Attendance and participation in at least 6 tutorials is a hurdle requirement for completion of the unit. Alternative task: Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement (internal or external) without a valid reason must submit a 500 word critical analysis of the weekly readings for a week in which they did not meet the participation requirement.
External Students' Participation: external students will be graded on their participation in discussion on the iLearn website. Discussion will only be graded if contributions are made within 1 week after the lecture on a given topic. Meaningful participation in class discussion on at least 6 topics is a hurdle requirement for completion of the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations.
Internal students are expected to attend the following classes each week:
Lecture: Monday 11.00 am-1.00 pm - 23 Wally's Walk - T1 Theatre.
Tutorial: Monday - multiple options. Attendance and participation in 7 tutorials is a hurdle requirement for completion of the unit.
NOTE: Tutorials will begin in Week 2.
External students: The lecture is digitally recorded and can be downloaded from the iLearn website shortly after it is delivered.
External students are required to participate actively in discussion on the iLearn website (further details are given in the section on Assessment).
External students are welcome to attend weekly lectures whenever they can.
Required resources:
There is one required text for this unit which is available for purchase from the Macquarie University Coop Bookstore:
Lawson, Stephanie. (2015). Theories of International Relations: Contending Approaches to World Politics. Polity Press: Cambridge.
Access to this text will be necessary in order to complete the reading quizzes. Although the library will have a copy of this text, access through the library cannot be guaranteed. All other unit readings will all be available on ilearn or e-reserve.
Unit Schedule
Week 1 - 26 Feb
Introduction: Can Theory Help Tackle International Challenges?
Week 2 - 5 March
Realism. First week of weekly reading quizzes - available on iLearn and must be completed by 11pm Sunday before lecture.
Week 3 - 12 March
Liberalism. Weekly iLearn quiz due by 11pm Sunday (evening before lecture).
Graded tutorial activity #1 (internal students will be graded on a pass/fail basis on 3 out of 5 tutorial activities).
Week 4 - 19 March
Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberal Institutionalism. Weekly iLearn quiz due by 11pm Sunday (evening before lecture). NB: You must also nominate which research question you will address this week via the iLearn discussion forum. You are welcome to change the question you address later if you wish.
Week 5 - 26 March
Constructivism & The English School. Weekly iLearn quiz due by 11pm Sunday (evening before lecture).
Graded tutorial activity #2 (internal students will be graded on a pass/fail basis on 3 out of 5 tutorial activities).
Week 6 - No classes - Easter Monday holiday
Week 7 - 9 April
Marxism, World Systems Theory and Critical Theories. Weekly iLearn quiz due by 11pm Sunday (evening before lecture).
_______________________________
MID SEMESTER BREAK: 16 to 29 April 2018
Week 8 - 30 April
Feminist IR Theory. Essay due Friday 4 May, 5pm. Weekly iLearn quiz due by 11pm Sunday (evening before lecture).
Week 9 - 7 May
Postcolonial and Post-structural Theories. *No reading quiz this week.* Guest lecture: Noah Bassil.
Graded tutorial activity #3 (internal students will be graded on a pass/fail basis on 3 out of 5 tutorial activities).
Week 10 - 14 May
Middle Power Theory & Foreign Policy Analysis. Weekly iLearn quiz due by 11pm Sunday (evening before lecture).
Graded tutorial activity #4 (internal students will be graded on a pass/fail basis on 3 out of 5 tutorial activities).
Week 11 - 21 May
Normative International Theory
Graded tutorial activity #5 (internal students will be graded on a pass/fail basis on 3 out of 5 tutorial activities).
Week 12 - 28 May
Conclusion: IR Theory in an Era Of Globalization
Week 13 - 4 June - Take-home exam due.
Exam released via ilearn Friday 1 June 9am; submission via learn by Monday 4 June at 9 pm.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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
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
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
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
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Assessment tasks
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
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
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
- Access a wide range of resources related to theories of international relations.
Assessment task
- Research Essay & Presentation
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
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
- Access a wide range of resources related to theories of international relations.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
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
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
- Class participation
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
- Collect and record information from self-selected sources with independence to complete a prescribed research task.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the specific theories used in the study of international relations.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
- Access a wide range of resources related to theories of international relations.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
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
- Demonstrate capacity to apply the major analytic and theoretical frameworks in several subfields of international relations.
- Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
- Class participation
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
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Participate and lead, when appropriate, class discussions.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
- 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 outcomes
- Identify and analyse interconnections between international relations theory and contemporary international politics.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on the role of regional powers (such as Australia) in promoting order and justice in international relations.
Assessment tasks
- Online Reading Quizzes
- Research Essay & Presentation
- Take home examination
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 23/02/2018 | Corrected a typo (week of quiz) that resulted from movement of Noah's guest lecture. |
| 20/02/2018 | This unit has one guest lecture from Noah Bassil. Noah needed to shift his lecture so the unit schedule and associated assessment tasks needed to be updated. |