Students

PICX1014 – International Security in the 20th Century

2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Brian Cuddy
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an introduction to key events, processes, and concepts in the international history of war, peace, and security in the twentieth century. Students will investigate the causes, conduct, and consequences of particular international conflicts, such as the world wars and the Cold War. They will also examine the evolution of ideas and institutions that provided - and in many cases still provide - the political architecture for international and national security. In covering this material, the unit will encourage students to develop their analytical thinking and writing skills.

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: Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, course, and consequences of major twentieth century wars and conflicts.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate knowledge of how and why key ideas and institutions of international security changed across the twentieth century.
  • ULO3: Analyse and evaluate competing historical interpretations of important aspects of international security in the twentieth century.
  • ULO4: Identify and restate the argument of a piece of writing, develop a convincing argument in their own writing, and effectively support that argument using appropriate sources.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Disruption to Studies request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply—10 marks of credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date—and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Preliminary Test 10% No 17:00 19/08/2021
Essay 1 30% No 11:59 12/09/2021
Essay 2 30% No 11:59 17/10/2021
Final Test 20% No 11:59 07/11/2021
Active Engagement 10% No Ongoing

Preliminary Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: 17:00 19/08/2021
Weighting: 10%

 

A Preliminary Test will be conducted online via the unit’s iLearn space prior to the session’s census date. It will test your knowledge and understanding of the unit materials from Week 1 through Week 4 of the unit. The test will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions (e.g., match a thesis statement to its likely author). The test is open book, i.e., you may refer to the unit materials and your notes as you take the test. But you may not consult with any person (except the teaching staff, if necessary) about the test.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, course, and consequences of major twentieth century wars and conflicts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how and why key ideas and institutions of international security changed across the twentieth century.

Essay 1

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 11:59 12/09/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

You will be provided with an essay question, and a set of readings relevant to that question. Your essay should be based on deep engagement with these readings, and any other unit materials you deem relevant. You are not expected to find any additional sources. This is not a research essay, but rather an essay designed to develop and test your analytical and writing skills. You will be assessed on your ability to articulate and develop a clear, coherent, and persuasive argument; your understanding of the provided readings; and the structure and style of your writing. Your essay should be 1,500 words in length (give or take 150 words), and should be submitted via the relevant Turnitin dropbox on the unit’s iLearn space.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and evaluate competing historical interpretations of important aspects of international security in the twentieth century.
  • Identify and restate the argument of a piece of writing, develop a convincing argument in their own writing, and effectively support that argument using appropriate sources.

Essay 2

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 11:59 17/10/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

You will be provided with an essay question, and a set of readings relevant to that question. Your essay should be based on deep engagement with these readings, and any other unit materials you deem relevant. You are not expected to find any additional sources. This is not a research essay, but rather an essay designed to develop and test your analytical and writing skills. You will be assessed on your ability to articulate and develop a clear, coherent, and persuasive argument; your understanding of the provided readings; and the structure and style of your writing. Your essay should be 1,500 words in length (give or take 150 words), and should be submitted via the relevant Turnitin dropbox on the unit’s iLearn space.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and evaluate competing historical interpretations of important aspects of international security in the twentieth century.
  • Identify and restate the argument of a piece of writing, develop a convincing argument in their own writing, and effectively support that argument using appropriate sources.

Final Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 11:59 07/11/2021
Weighting: 20%

 

A Final Test will be conducted online via the unit’s iLearn space at the conclusion of the unit. It will test your knowledge and understanding of the unit materials from Week 5 through Week 12 of the unit. The test will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions (e.g., match a thesis statement to its likely author). The test is open book, i.e., you may refer to the unit materials and your notes as you take the test. But you may not consult with any person (except the teaching staff, if necessary) about the test.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, course, and consequences of major twentieth century wars and conflicts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how and why key ideas and institutions of international security changed across the twentieth century.

Active Engagement

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

 

Students will be assessed on the quality and consistency of their contributions to activities conducted during their weekly tutorial or online discussion. These activities will be determined by the tutor, but may include group discussions, debates, role plays, and reflective exercises.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and evaluate competing historical interpretations of important aspects of international security in the twentieth century.
  • Identify and restate the argument of a piece of writing, develop a convincing argument in their own writing, and effectively support that argument using appropriate sources.

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

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.

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

Unless a Disruption to Studies request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply—10 marks of credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date—and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e., if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

 

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook