Students
POIR8410 – Understanding World Politics: Theoretical Approaches
2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Lecturer
Govand Azeez
Karim Pourhamzavi
Arts Precinct level 2
Contact for appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or PGDipIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCTerrorismMCrim or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MTransInterMIntRel or MConfInt or GradCertIntRel or MPPP or MPPPMIntRel or GradCertPP or GradDipPP or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MIntPubDip or MDevStud or MPASRMDevStud or MPPPMDevStud
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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 provides students with a grounding in the principle theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and world order. Beginning with a focus on the historical emergence of traditional approaches such as realism, liberalism and Marxism and their competing perspectives on the causes of war and the conditions for peace, the unit goes on to consider more recent approaches, including gender approaches, critical theory, constructivism, postcolonialism, postmodernism and green theory.
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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:
- ULO1: Analyse and critically assess complex International Relations theories and place them within the broader context of the study of of International Relations.
- ULO2: Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations theories and identify particular solutions to the problems raised in traditional and contemporary International Relations theories
- ULO3: Analyse, generate and transmit solutions to a variety of current problems in International Relations using International Relations theories
- ULO4: Transmit the knowledge and ideas generated by International Relations theories to others
General Assessment Information
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.
Note also that the convenor does not grant extension to any assessment based on special considerations (for example, illness). All requests for extension need to go through the Special Consideration procedure (see Special Consideration Policy under Policies and Procedures).
More information about each assessment task is available on the iLearn.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class presentation or online posting | 15% | No | Each Week |
| Article review | 15% | No | 19/03/2021 |
| Research essay | 40% | No | 14/05/2021 |
| In class short test or online quiz | 30% | No | 04/06/21 |
In class presentation or online posting
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Each Week
Weighting: 15%
Internal (on-campus) students: a short oral presentation in class on a chosen weekly topic. Online students will post short essay answers to set questions each week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations theories and identify particular solutions to the problems raised in traditional and contemporary International Relations theories
- Analyse, generate and transmit solutions to a variety of current problems in International Relations using International Relations theories
- Transmit the knowledge and ideas generated by International Relations theories to others
Article review
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 19/03/2021
Weighting: 15%
A short paper reviewing one or more items from required readings
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critically assess complex International Relations theories and place them within the broader context of the study of of International Relations.
- Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations theories and identify particular solutions to the problems raised in traditional and contemporary International Relations theories
- Transmit the knowledge and ideas generated by International Relations theories to others
Research essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 14/05/2021
Weighting: 40%
An essay based on original research of scholarly articles and scholarly monographs which are not part of the required readings for the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critically assess complex International Relations theories and place them within the broader context of the study of of International Relations.
- Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations theories and identify particular solutions to the problems raised in traditional and contemporary International Relations theories
- Analyse, generate and transmit solutions to a variety of current problems in International Relations using International Relations theories
- Transmit the knowledge and ideas generated by International Relations theories to others
In class short test or online quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 04/06/21
Weighting: 30%
A short in-class closed book test requiring short essay answers to set questions. An online quiz, available for a short time , constructed as an online closed book quiz, requiring short essay answers to set questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and critically assess complex International Relations theories and place them within the broader context of the study of of International Relations.
- Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations theories and identify particular solutions to the problems raised in traditional and contemporary International Relations theories
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
Teaching Methods/Mode of Delivery
There will be two hour lecture and one hour tutorial every week. Students will present in the tutorial hour.
Prerequisites and Preparation
Students taking this unit inevitably come from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Some students will already have been introduced to the study of IR, and IR theory, at the undergraduate level. For others, this unit will be their first experience of the subject, or of the more general field of political studies, of which IR is a part. For those with little or no previous background in the study of politics and IR, it is essential that you do some extra reading and preparation for the unit. Even if you have done some politics and IR before, you will benefit from some revision.
Textbooks and Sources: The core text for IRPG841 is: International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity, edited by Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, Steve Smith, Oxford University Press. Each chapter is written by a leading theorist who is working on the theory which she or he is writing about. The texts are thus coming from the actual theorists-practitioners.
Some of the ilearn material and resources this semester draw from the work of previous convenors, Associate Professor Aleksandar Pavkovic and Dr Conor Keane.
Unit Schedule
| POIR8410/S1/Day/Lecture_1/01 |
Friday |
10:00am |
12:00pm |
2:00 |
9‑14,17‑23 | Classes are online - consult iLearn for further detail |
Understanding World Politics: Theoretical Approaches - Lecture |
|
| POIR8410/S1/Day/Tutorial_1/01 |
Friday |
1:00pm |
2:00pm |
1:00 |
9‑14,17‑23 | 17 Wallys Walk - 209 Tutorial Rm |
Understanding World Politics: Theoretical Approaches - Tutorial |
|
| POIR8410/S1/Day/Tutorial_1/02 |
Friday |
3:00pm |
4:00pm |
1:00 |
9‑14,17‑23 | Classes are online - consult iLearn for further detail |
Understanding World Politics: Theoretical Approaches - Tutorial |
The Topics will be available on the ilearn page.
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).
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:
- 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
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 2021.02 of the Handbook