Students
POIR8310 – Security in World Politics
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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Dr Lavina Lee
Contact via lavina.lee@mq.edu.au
Level 2, Room B256, 25 Wally’s Walk Building B, Faculty of Arts Precinct
TBC
Andrew Kapos
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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 MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MSecStrategicStudMIntell or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCTerrorism or MIntellMCrim or MIntellMCyberSec or MIntellMCTerrorism or MCTerrorismMCrim or MIntBusMIntRel or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MTransInterMIntRel or MDevCult or GradCertIntRel or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MIntPubDip or MPPPMIntRel
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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 introduces students to traditional security studies as well as non-traditional approaches which have sought to deepen and broaden our understanding of what 'security' means. We consider threats to the state including attempts to control the spread of nuclear weapons, the adequacy of strategic concepts such as deterrence to security threats posed by international terrorism and rogue states, and the challenge of irregular warfare, and the return of great power competition. We then consider broader conceptions of security, including societal security, regime security and forms of human security (resource scarcity, climate change, and pandemics such as HIV/AIDs). |
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: Explain and differentiate between both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- ULO2: Independently analyse and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- ULO3: Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- ULO4: Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important contemporary international security issues
- ULO5: Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant knowledge in the field and to be able to formulate persuasive, coherent, and critical arguments.
- ULO6: Work collaboratively with peers on common projects.
General Assessment Information
Essays will be FAILED for the following reasons
1. Plagiarism – for example, where sentences or paragraphs are taken word-for-word or nearly word-for-word from another source and presented as original expression. See the University's Academic Honesty Policy (link below) for an in-depth explanation of what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is taken very seriously by the Convenor and the Department generally and will result in a range of penalties, including a zero grade for an assessment task. Serious instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Faculty Discipline Committee.
2. Excessive use of direct quotes may result in a fail grade. As a general rule, no more than 10% of the overall word length of a research paper should appear in direct quotes. Students must try to express their ideas and arguments in their own words as much as possible. This demonstrates true understanding.
3. Identical or nearly identical essays will all fail – regardless of the original authorship.
4. Work that is significantly below the required word length.
5. Essays written with poor English grammar and expression may be failed if the marker is unable to understand the argument(s) raised.
6. Work that has been previously submitted and assessed in other units (and this unit if you have failed previously) that is then re-submitted for assessment for this unit, in whole or part, will receive a fail grade. This is defined as 'self-plagiarism' under the Academic Honesty Policy.
Examination
The only exception to taking an examination at the designated time (above) is where a student has experienced 'unexpected, unavoidable and serious circumstances' that prevented them from completing the paper, which can be documented. In these circumstances, the student should consider applying for 'Special Consideration'. Consult the Special Consideration Policy (below) for further information about what criteria must be met.
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period.
You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available to take the exam as scheduled.
Tutorial Attendance
Students are required to attend 80% of tutorials. If you are absent because of illness you do not need to apply for special consideration. Provide a medical certificate to your tutor.
Extensions
Any student seeking an extension of time to submit their major research essay must apply formally for 'special consideration' using the ask.mq.edu.au system.
Applications should be made before the due date for the assignment.
Whilst we do understand that many or most students support themselves through paid employment, extensions cannot be granted on this basis alone. Students must manage their time and workloads accordingly. Essay topics will be made available early in the semester leaving sufficient time for essay preparation. Meeting deadlines for assignments is treated very seriously in this course. Note that the penalties for late submission are high under the Faculty of Arts new policy.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved,
(a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 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.
(c) No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments - e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Assignment Submission
Hard copy submission of assignments will not be required for this course. All assignments are to be submitted online using the ilearn website for this unit. A Turnitin link for submission for the research essay, quiz and final exam will be set up there. Comments and grades will also be available online.
Turn-it-in
All written work in this course is required to be uploaded using the Turnitin link provided on the ilearn website for this unit. Turnitin is a type of anti-plagiarism software used by the university. Work that is not uploaded using the Turnitin link on ilearn will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.
Re-submission of assessment tasks
Re-submission of assessment tasks is not allowed in this unit. Please consult with your tutor or the Convenor before handing in any assessment task if you have any questions. Also, see the section below titled 'student support' for details about workshops on research skills, essay writing, and plagiarism available to all students in the first weeks of the semester.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion Board Participation | 10% | No | Ongoing |
| Role-Play | 15% | No | Weeks 4 and 9 |
| Research Essay | 40% | No | 18.00 hrs 26/09/21 |
| Final Examination | 35% | No | 9.30 hrs 13/11/21 to 9.30 hrs 14/11/21 |
Discussion Board Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Online Discussion Board Participation
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and differentiate between both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Independently analyse and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important contemporary international security issues
- Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant knowledge in the field and to be able to formulate persuasive, coherent, and critical arguments.
- Work collaboratively with peers on common projects.
Role-Play
Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: Weeks 4 and 9
Weighting: 15%
Role Play
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and differentiate between both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important contemporary international security issues
- Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant knowledge in the field and to be able to formulate persuasive, coherent, and critical arguments.
- Work collaboratively with peers on common projects.
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 18.00 hrs 26/09/21
Weighting: 40%
Research Essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and differentiate between both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Independently analyse and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important contemporary international security issues
- Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant knowledge in the field and to be able to formulate persuasive, coherent, and critical arguments.
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 9.30 hrs 13/11/21 to 9.30 hrs 14/11/21
Weighting: 35%
Final Examination - online
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and differentiate between both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Independently analyse and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie both traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to international security.
- Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- Communicate effectively in both written work and oral presentations. This involves being able to identify and organise relevant knowledge in the field and to be able to formulate persuasive, coherent, and critical 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
Lecture
Lectures will be pre-recorded and posted on the ilearn site from week to week. There will be no live lectures on campus.
Online Discussion Board
An online discussion board will be set up each week where students are able to discuss the readings and lecture material each week.
Required readings
- Required readings will be posted to the unit iLearn site as Session 2 progresses. We will not be using a textbook.
Technology used and required
- Personal PC and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
- The unit can be accessed by enrolled students online through http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Submitting Assessment Tasks
- All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. This will only happen through the unit iLearn site.
- All assessment tasks will be subject to a 'Turnitin' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
Unit Schedule
WEEK 1: Introduction - the widening and deepening of security studies; Realism
WEEK 2: Liberalism, Constructivism and the study of Security
WEEK 3: Nuclear Proliferation
WEEK 4: Nuclear Counter-Proliferation Strategies - Role Play 1: North Korea's Nuclear Programme
WEEK 5: Irregular Warfare and Counter-Insurgency
WEEK 6: Terrorism
WEEK 7 (7 September): Reading Week - No lectures or tutorials
Mid-Semester Break - 13 September to 24 September 2020
Research Essay due Sunday 26 September 2019 by 6 pm
WEEK 8: Societal Security
WEEK 9: Regime Security - Role Play 2: Regime and Societal Security in Myanmar
WEEK 10: Health Security
WEEK 11: Great-power competition and Energy Security
WEEK 12: Environmental Security
WEEK 13: Study week - no lectures or classes
Final exam paper released 9.30 am on Saturday 13 November 2021 and due for submission at 9.30 am on Sunday 14 November 2021.
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