Students

PICT8060 – Geopolitics and Geostrategy

2020 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jiye Kim
Ben Schreer
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or GradCertIntell or MCTerrorism or MCyberSec or GradDipSecStudCr or GradCertSecStudCr or MIntell or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis or ((Admission to BSecStudMCTerrorism or BSecStudMCrim or BSecStudMCyberSecAnalysis or BSecStudMIntell or BSecStudMSecStrategicStud) and (10cp at 6000 level or 10cp at 8000 level))
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The international security order is in a period of rapid transformation. This unit examines the major global geopolitical trends, including in the Indo-Pacific, the greater Middle East, Europe, as well as Latin America and Africa. It also analyses the influence of those dynamics on the geostrategies of key countries. Aside from exposing students to the concept of geopolitics as an analytical instrument, the unit will deal with a series of case studies, including the evolving US-Sino rivalry; the Sino-India great power game; the geopolitics of Southeast Asia; the rise of Iran, and the emerging roles of Saudi Arabia and Turkey; the question of the re-emergence of Russia and Germany as great powers; and the United Kingdom in times of Brexit. The unit will provide students with in-depth understanding about the key contemporary global geostrategic dynamics and the implications for regional and international stability.

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:

  • ULO1: apply in-depth understanding about geopolitical analysis, geopolitical theories and geostrategy in multiple contexts. You will be across the various methods and approaches to geopolitical and geostrategic analysis.
  • ULO2: understand the difference between classical and critical geopolitics. You will be able to apply different methods for analysing geopolitics and to critically assess geopolitical questions through different analytical lenses.
  • ULO3: apply in-depth understanding about the historical evolution of modern geopolitics. Students will be equipped with the knowledge of historical case studies of geopolitically important changes before and after the Cold War, and the implications for scholarly understandings of geopolitical study.
  • ULO4: apply geopolitical analysis and integrated knowledge to assess the significance of current trends in this area and the related implications for scholarship and the policy world. Students will also be able to recognise recurrent geopolitical patterns throughout history.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

Special Consideration (previously known as “Disruption to Study”)

Please note that students who miss tutorials or require extensions for any assignment must apply through the formal university process known as “Special Consideration.” Convenors are not allowed to grant tutorial waivers or assignment waivers; students must apply formally through Special Consideration with the appropriate documentation.

Engagement: Ongoing assessment

For internal students, attendance and engagement in the weekly seminar is expected. A minimum attendance in 10 seminars is required. Engagement involves demonstrating, through oral activities and assignments, critical thinking and understanding of the required readings, as well as demonstrated ability to address the major themes and questions raised in unit materials.

For external students, the recordings of the seminars will be posted and engagement through at minimum 10 online forums is required.  Engagement in seminar activities must be completed by the assigned date. Participation will not be counted beyond the allocated time-frame. Grades are dependent on such criteria as stated in the engagement rubric.

As part of engagement, students are required to take the Online Test in Week 4, which opens online on Monday 16 March and closes on Sunday 22 March. Once you begin the simple multiple-choice test, you have 15 minutes to complete. Completion of the test counts towards your engagement.

Submission of Assignments

All assignments must be submitted electronically by the due date via the appropriate assignment link in ilearn. Note that no assignment can be marked if submitted more than 7 calendar days after the deadline unless Special Consideration has been granted.  

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, online tests.

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

 

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

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:

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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
30/01/2020 updated assignment due dates
22/01/2020 Update assignment guidlines