Students
POIR8310 – Security in World Politics
2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Umut Ozguc
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|---|---|
| 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: Illustrate and differentiate traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to security.
- ULO2: Interpret and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie security theories, practices and institutions.
- ULO3: Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- ULO4: Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important security issues in global politics.
- ULO5: Demonstrate critical, creative and collaborative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible arguments
General Assessment Information
For detailed information carefully read Ilearn instructions.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Essay | 50% | No | 19/09/2025 |
| Portfolio Reflections | 10% | No | 05/11/2025 |
| Policy Brief | 40% | No | 07/11/2025 |
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 47 hours
Due: 19/09/2025
Weighting: 50%
Research essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Illustrate and differentiate traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to security.
- Interpret and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie security theories, practices and institutions.
- Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- Demonstrate critical, creative and collaborative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible arguments
Portfolio Reflections
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 05/11/2025
Weighting: 10%
Portfolio Reflections
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Illustrate and differentiate traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to security.
- Interpret and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie security theories, practices and institutions.
- Apply theoretical concepts to analyse contemporary security issues.
- Demonstrate critical, creative and collaborative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible arguments
Policy Brief
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 07/11/2025
Weighting: 40%
A policy brief related to a specific global security problem
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Illustrate and differentiate traditional and non-traditional theoretical approaches to security.
- Interpret and critically evaluate the assumptions, arguments, concepts and historical context that underlie security theories, practices and institutions.
- Formulate and defend policy recommendations on important security issues in global politics.
- Demonstrate critical, creative and collaborative thinking including identifying and organising relevant information to formulate persuasive, coherent and credible 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
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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 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
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Academic Success
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- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
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- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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- IT Support
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- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
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Student Enquiries
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IT Help
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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 2025.03 of the Handbook