Students

POIR8310 – Security in World Politics

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Convenor
Umut Ozguc
umut.ozguc@mq.edu.au
25 WW 342
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCyberSecAnalysis or MCTerrorism or MPPP or MPASR or GradCertPP or PGDipIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntPubDip.
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The scope and the practice of international security has changed dramatically over the past few decades, with the rise of non-state actors, new technologies and new types of conflict. Subsequently, state-centric understandings of security have been challenged. This unit introduces students to both traditional and non-traditional approaches to security and seeks to deepen and broaden understandings of what 'security' means. The unit examines how different actors, including the state, international organisations, and NGOs, frame, address or manage international security crises and encourages students to critically reflect on key assumptions about international security in order to assess and interpret evidence that shapes policy decisions. The unit first explores the theoretical terrain of security studies to investigate the link between knowledge production and policy practices. It then examines the changing nature of conflict and the new political economy of war by focusing on current issues and emerging actors. Finally, it considers ‘non-traditional’ security issues in global politics, such as borders, poverty, food, health, and climate change. Overall, students will gain an in-depth understanding of security issues in world politics and knowledge about how to address these problems.

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

Students should check Ilearn site for the details of the each assessment item.

Academic Integrity &Plagiarism

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.

Late Assessment Policy and Special Consideration 

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. Special consideration requests are made through ask.mq.edu.au. 

Turnitin

Research essays and policy briefs are 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.

Research Essay: A 2500-word research essay (the word length excludes the bibliography and footnotes). For all details, essay questions, rubric and useful tips see Ilearn. 

Policy Brief: A 2000-word policy brief (the word length excludes the bibliography and footnotes). For all details, topics, rubric and useful tips see Ilearn. 

For extensions you need to apply special considerations. https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class Participation 10% No Ongoing
Research Essay 50% No 13 September 2024 11:55 pm
Policy Brief 40% No 4 November 2024 11:55 pm

Class Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

 

In class tutorial participation will be assessed. Details will be provided on ilearn.

 
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.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 47 hours
Due: 13 September 2024 11:55 pm
Weighting: 50%

 

Research essay on a global security issue

 
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.

Policy Brief

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 4 November 2024 11:55 pm
Weighting: 40%

 

A policy brief related to a specific global security problem

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 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.

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 has an online presence in ilearn.

There is no text book to be purchased for this unit. All required and recommended readings are on Leganto.

Lectures and tutorials are on campus. Lectures will be recorded and can be found on ECHO. 

Unit Schedule

Week 1

Security for whom and from what? ‘Widening’ and ‘deepening’ security in the 21st Century

 

 

PART 1: THEORIES OF SECURITY

 

Week 2 

Traditional Approaches to Security: Realism and Liberalism

Week 3 

Critical Security Studies and Securitisation Theory

 

 

PART 2: CHANGING NATURE OF WAR AND PEACE IN THE 21st CENTURY

 

Week 4 

New wars and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Week 5 

 

Week 5

Rethinking the agency: Women and Children in Conflicts

 

 

*Essay writing workshop at 6:00 pm (Online on zoom- all students)

Week 6 

Artificial intelligence and ‘killer robots’: towards new ways of war-making?

 

Week 7 

The privatization of war: Private military contractors and the new economy of war

 

PART 3:  THE ' NEW' LANDSCAPES OF SECURITY  

Week 8 

Human Security

Week 8

Essays Due – 13th September 2024, 11:55 pm.

 

Recess

16th September – 30th September

Week 9 

Rethinking the UN and Collective Security in the 21st century

 

Week 10 

Border Security and Mobility Governance

 

Week 11 

Environmental security and energy security  

Week 12 

 

Week 12 – 22nd October

Health (In)Security and Conclusions: What do we need to do to live in a secure world?

 

 

*Policy brief workshop at 6: 00 pm (Online on zoom- all students)

 

Policy Brief due- 4 November 2023 11:55 pm

 

 

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.

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook