Students
POIR8080 – International Relations Research Project
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jonathan Symons
Contact via +2 9850 8864
Room 252, Level 2, 25B Wally's Walk
Tuesdays 3-4 pm /by appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(POIR901 or POIR8040) and (IRPG841 or POIR8410) 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 gives students an opportunity to develop and demonstrate advanced research skills by undertaking independent research under academic supervision. The unit requires completion of a dissertation of approximately 4-5000 words in one semester on a topic within the scope of international relations. Students formulate their research topic in consultation with an academic supervisor, and their topic must be approved by the convenor as suitable for an MIR dissertation. This unit is designed to help prepare students for more extended independent research in the Master of Research or elsewhere. Applications to undertake this unit close four weeks before the start of each semester in which it is offered. As part of the application process students are required to submit an Expression of Interest Form and to have confirmed that a member of staff in the discipline of Politics and International Relations is willing to act as their supervisor. Admission will only be possible for students who have maintained a Credit average across previous MIR units. |
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: Acquire the ability to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations.
- ULO2: Develop enhanced knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies.
- ULO3: Analyse, evaluate and synthesise scholarly evidence independently.
- ULO4: Develop the ability to effectively communicate academic arguments.
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, online tests.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | 20% | No | Week 3 - 5pm Friday 14 August |
| Literature review (1000 words) | 20% | No | Week 6 - 5pm Friday 5 September |
| Minor thesis. | 60% | No | Week 12 - 5pm Friday 30th October |
Research proposal
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 3 - 5pm Friday 14 August
Weighting: 20%
A research proposal of 1000 words. Description of requirements and assessment criteria are in ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire the ability to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations.
Literature review (1000 words)
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 6 - 5pm Friday 5 September
Weighting: 20%
A 1000 word paper identifying and evaluating the existing scholarly literature that is relevant to the propose research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse, evaluate and synthesise scholarly evidence independently.
Minor thesis.
Assessment Type 1: Thesis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 100 hours
Due: Week 12 - 5pm Friday 30th October
Weighting: 60%
A short thesis of 4000-5000 words. Details and requirements on ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire the ability to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations.
- Develop enhanced knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies.
- Analyse, evaluate and synthesise scholarly evidence independently.
- Develop the ability to effectively communicate academic arguments.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit is primarily research oriented and teaching is conducted via supervision with a supervisor (supervision arrangements are negotiated individually). Face-to-face (or zoom) group sessions with all internal students will be conducted in week 1, 4 and 11.
The sessions will begin be held from 3.00 pm -4pm on a Friday.
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.)
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 |
|---|---|
| 31/07/2020 | Corrected a line which created confusion re class times. |