Students
PICT901 – International Security
2013 – S1 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Julian Droogan
Contact via julian.droogan@mq.edu.au
PICT Offices, Level 2, Building Y3A
By appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or PGDipPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or PGDipIntSecStud or PGCertIntSecStud
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Since the end of the Cold War, an expanded concept of security has been unavoidable given the challenges that have accompanied rapid globalisation and advances in technology. As a result there has been a growing global concern about new sources of non-traditional security threats. These new threats, coupled with ongoing more traditional concerns, have significantly transformed the international security environment, and have thereby obfuscated traditional assumptions about security. This unit consequently provides a comprehensive overview of the dominant constructs of security; compares and contrasts several different but overlapping approaches and examines the transformation stemming from the new security challenges.
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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:
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar presentation | 20% | Weekly |
| Short Essay 1 | 30% | 05/04/2013 11:59pm |
| Short Essay 2 | 30% | 07/06/2013 11:59pm |
| Informed Engagement | 20% | Weekly |
Seminar presentation
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
Students are expected to deliver a PowerPoint-based seminar presentation to the class and facilitate a class discussion. The presentation is based on one additional reading for that week, and should explore the theoretical constructs at the heart of the author's approach to security studies. Internal students present in-class; external students post their presentation online and facilitate discussion through the weekly forum.
Assignments in this unit will be submitted, marked and returned electronically. For further information see the iLearn site.
Further detailed assessment criteria is available to all enrolled students through the Unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Short Essay 1
Due: 05/04/2013 11:59pm
Weighting: 30%
The completion of a 1500 word short research essay is intended to encourage and enable students to develop core disciplinary knowledge, enhance research skills, display effective communication (academic writing) skills and demonstrate originality and critical thinking.
Assignments in this unit will be submitted, marked and returned electronically. For further information see the iLearn site.
Further detailed assessment criteria is available to all enrolled students through the Unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Short Essay 2
Due: 07/06/2013 11:59pm
Weighting: 30%
The completion of a 1500 word short research essay is intended to encourage and enable students to develop core disciplinary knowledge, enhance research skills, display effective communication (academic writing) skills and demonstrate originality and critical thinking.
Assignments in this unit will be submitted, marked and returned electronically. For further information see the iLearn site.
Further detailed assessment criteria is available to all enrolled students through the Unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Informed Engagement
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
This unit requires a consistent level of student engagement with the subject matter throughout the course. Engagement will be demonstrated (and assessed) through weekly contributions to in-class discussions and debates by internal students, and online participation in discussion forums by external students.
Further detailed assessment criteria is available to all enrolled students through the Unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Delivery and Resources
Expectations for Completing this Unit
To successfully complete this unit students will have to meet the requirements for all four assessment tasks. These are:
-Two 1500 word short essays,
-One seminar presentation and submission of PowerPoint file,
-Active and engaged participation, including either in-class discussion and task or the equivalent through the iLearn forum.
In addition, students are expected to read the weekly required readings and engage in additional outside research.
Readings
The required readings as well as a list of additional and useful readings for this Unit are available to all enrolled students through the Unit iLearn site, the Unit reader and Macquarie University Library's EReserve site.
Technological Requirements
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Reliable PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills such as internet browsing and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Assignments in this unit will be submitted, marked and returned electronically. For further information see the iLearn site.
Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
Late Submission Penalty
If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day the paper is late.
For example, if the paper is worth 20 marks, 1.00 mark per day will be deducted from the mark given (i.e. A student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 x 1.00 marks: 15/20 – 4 marks = 11/20).
The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.
Unit Schedule
Note: The required readings for this Unit are available to all enrolled students through the Unit iLearn site and Macquarie University Library's EReserve site
Module 1: Introduction and Overview
Module 2: Reconceptualising Security in the 21st Century
Module 3: Realism and Neo-realism
Module 4: Liberalism and Neo-liberalism
Module 5: Human Security and the Demise of the State
Module 6: Constructivism and Critical Theory
Module 7: Securitisation
Module 8: Non-Traditional Security Challenges
Module 9: Health
Module 10: Environmental Security
Module 11: Security and Identity: Ethnicity, Culture, Religion
Module 12: Security and Gender: Feminism and Emancipation
Module 13: The Future?
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://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
UniWISE provides:
- Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
- Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
- The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
- Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
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
Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.
IT Help
If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at 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 and it outlines what can be done.
Graduate Capabilities
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
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Assessment tasks
- Seminar presentation
- Short Essay 1
- Short Essay 2
- Informed Engagement
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
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Assessment tasks
- Seminar presentation
- Short Essay 1
- Short Essay 2
- Informed Engagement
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
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Assessment tasks
- Seminar presentation
- Short Essay 1
- Short Essay 2
- Informed Engagement
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
- Contrast and explicate a range of theoretical constructs relevant to the field of international security, including their relationship to their historical context
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
- Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Assessment tasks
- Seminar presentation
- Short Essay 1
- Short Essay 2
- Informed Engagement
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 outcomes
- Describe concepts that are an integral part of conceptualising international security, including ‘security’, ‘critical theory’, ‘globalisation’ and ‘securitisation’, with particular attention to their multiple and contested meanings
- Showcase higher order communication skills, including the ability to present sustained, persuasive and original verbal and written arguments cogently and coherently, and mediate in-class debate and discussion
Assessment tasks
- Seminar presentation
- Short Essay 1
- Short Essay 2
- Informed Engagement
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 outcome
- Evaluate the importance of of traditional and non-traditional security challenges and how these relate to the drivers of international insecurity
Assessment tasks
- Seminar presentation
- Short Essay 1
- Short Essay 2
- Informed Engagement