Students

POIR8420 – Understanding World Politics: Methodological and Theoretical Approaches

2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Govand Azeez
govand.azeez@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 provides students with a grounding in the key methodological and theoretical approaches relevant to the study of global politics and the world system. The unit begins with the breakdown of the key methodological, epistemological and ontological camps in global politics and theory. It then explores the historical emergence of traditional approaches such as realism, liberalism and Marxism and their outlines their competing perspectives and associated research methodologies. The unit concludes by considering more recent approaches, including feminism, critical theory, constructivism, postcolonialism, postmodernism and green theory. Students will gain an understanding of the critical intersections between theory and methods in the context of world politics.

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 an understanding of the aims and philosophical considerations underpinning thought in the political sphere
  • ULO2: Utilise different methods and methodologies relevant to global politics
  • ULO3: Critically evaluate complex International Relations theories and situate them within their broader context
  • ULO4: Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations
  • ULO5: Integrate theories and methods to address contemporary challenges in global politics

General Assessment Information

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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% No Week 13
Mid-semester test 45% No 10/04/2024
Major research essay 45% No 20/05/2024

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%

 

Student participation in weekly discussions and activities

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and philosophical considerations underpinning thought in the political sphere
  • Utilise different methods and methodologies relevant to global politics
  • Critically evaluate complex International Relations theories and situate them within their broader context
  • Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations
  • Integrate theories and methods to address contemporary challenges in global politics

Mid-semester test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: 10/04/2024
Weighting: 45%

 

Test on unit content

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and philosophical considerations underpinning thought in the political sphere
  • Utilise different methods and methodologies relevant to global politics
  • Critically evaluate complex International Relations theories and situate them within their broader context

Major research essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 20/05/2024
Weighting: 45%

 

Essay drawing together theories and methods to assess a problem in world politics

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the aims and philosophical considerations underpinning thought in the political sphere
  • Utilise different methods and methodologies relevant to global politics
  • Critically evaluate complex International Relations theories and situate them within their broader context
  • Analyse and critically assess scholarly texts in International Relations
  • Integrate theories and methods to address contemporary challenges in global politics

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:

PLEASE NOTE:

There will be two hour lecture and one hour tutorial every week. 

For access to materials and resources, please refer to ilearn.

Unit Schedule

Further information can be found in ilearn. 

 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.01 of the Handbook