Students

POIR8070 – International Relations Practice

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ian Tregenza
ian.tregenza@mq.edu.au
Nina Markovic
nina.markovic@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or MPPP or MPASR or GradCertPPP or PGDipIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntPubDip
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines “practice” in international relations and its interplay with “International Relations”, the scholarly study of the field. An overarching form of practice is “foreign policy”, within which “diplomacy” is a key element. The unit also considers “espionage”, “alliances”, “images”, “status”, “multilateralism”, “activism”, and some motives that influence international practice. It draws on and extends knowledge from across the Master of International Relations program and applies it to urgent and/or controversial themes. Assessment components include weekly participation, a simulation (scenario) exercise involving role playing, an essay, and an end of semester exam. This holistic and balanced range of tasks enables students to (i) acquire and broaden specialist and general theoretical knowledge; (ii) develop and apply negotiation, communication, and practical problem-solving abilities; iii) enhance research 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: Identify and articulate views on a contemporary political issue in verbal and written format
  • ULO2: demonstrate insight into some concepts, ideas and practice in world politics
  • ULO3: explain relationships between elements of domestic and international politics including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • ULO4: understand and apply diplomatic skills in a practical scenario

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation in tutorials or online 10% No Ongoing
Participation in Scenario 1 25% No Week 6
3000 word research essay. Questions will be provided. 35% No Week 11
Take home exam 30% No Week 13

Participation in tutorials or online

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

 

Participation in tutorials or online

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and articulate views on a contemporary political issue in verbal and written format
  • demonstrate insight into some concepts, ideas and practice in world politics
  • explain relationships between elements of domestic and international politics including institutions, historical influences and current context

Participation in Scenario 1

Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 25%

 

Students will be assigned an actor who they will represent in a scenario. Through research in the preceding weeks, students will identify the position/s their actor is likely to take. Skills in argumentation and communication, as well as background knowledge, will be tested in the role playing forum.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and articulate views on a contemporary political issue in verbal and written format
  • demonstrate insight into some concepts, ideas and practice in world politics
  • explain relationships between elements of domestic and international politics including institutions, historical influences and current context
  • understand and apply diplomatic skills in a practical scenario

3000 word research essay. Questions will be provided.

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 35%

 

Students are to research and write a 3000 word (of text - references and any footnotes are extra) essay on one of the topics addressed in the unit. Essay questions will be provided.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and articulate views on a contemporary political issue in verbal and written format
  • demonstrate insight into some concepts, ideas and practice in world politics
  • explain relationships between elements of domestic and international politics including institutions, historical influences and current context

Take home exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

Take home exam covering key concepts and topics in the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and articulate views on a contemporary political issue in verbal and written format
  • demonstrate insight into some concepts, ideas and practice in world politics
  • explain relationships between elements of domestic and international politics including institutions, historical influences and current context

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

Weekly lectures 1pm-2.30pm Wednesday. 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - T3 Theatre

Seminar: 2.30pm-4pm. Wednesday.14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - 14SCO 100 (Tiered Theatrette)

Weekly readings will be available through ilearn.

https://timetables.mq.edu.au/scientia/web/14SCO100.html 

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

 

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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
30/07/2022 Hello we updated the venue to reflect the actual new seminar venue as per 14SCO 100 (Tiered Theatrette). The information on the unit page that is being updated displayed the old venue which is confusing for the students. Thank you. https://timetables.mq.edu.au/scientia/web/14SCO100.html

Unit information based on version 2022.05 of the Handbook