Students

IRPG841 – Theories of International Relations

2014 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Stephanie Lawson
stephanie.lawson@mq.edu.au
Contact via stephanie.lawson@mq.edu.au
W6A room 434
Tuesdays 4-6pm
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or PGDipIntRel or PGCertIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MTransInterMIntRel or MConfInt or MPP or PGDipPP or PGCertResPrep(Arts)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides students with a grounding in the principle theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and world order. Beginning with a focus on the historical emergence of traditional approaches such as realism, liberalism and Marxism and their competing perspectives on the causes of war and the conditions for peace, the unit goes on to consider more recent approaches, including gender approaches, critical theory, constructivism, postcolonialism, postmodernism and green theory.

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:

  • An advanced understanding of a range of theories of International Relations.
  • The capacity to apply and utlize theoretical concepts in the analysis of International Relations.
  • The ability to carry out independent research and self-directed learning.
  • The ability to communicate fluently and effectively in both written work and oral presentations.
  • The ability to identify and organize knowledge in the field and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Mid-semester test 20% Week 5
Essay 50% 28 April 2014
Seminar participation 10% Ongoing
Final Test 20% Week 11

Mid-semester test

Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%

 

1. A mid-semester test comprising 20 multiple choice questions (worth 20%) covering material presented in the unit up to and including week 5. 

Notes for using the quiz:

  • Firefox is the recommended browser to use (update your browser regularly).
  • Do not use the browser Back or Forward buttons whilst in the quiz.
  • Once you begin your quiz you will see the timer begin in the top right corner.
  • Please use the Next button at base of screen to save and move to the next page of questions. Clicking Next on the final page will save your quiz attempt. This then takes you to a Summary screen which indicates the questions you have answered. If you have missed any questions you can click on these to return to the quiz. Click Finish attempt to return to the summary screen. When you are happy that all questions have been answered please click the Submit button at the base of the Summary Screen.
  • (Note: if you need to leave the quiz during the attempt you can log back in and resume provided there is time remaining on the timer. The timer countdown is not paused when you leave the quiz)
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An advanced understanding of a range of theories of International Relations.

Essay

Due: 28 April 2014
Weighting: 50%

Due date is 28 April. Students who submit by the due date are likely to get their essays back before the end of the lecture period and will certainly be given priority in the marking process. Alternatively, students may take an extension of a week without penalty and submit by 5 May. This date is for students who, for whatever reason (illness, poor time management, etc.), cannot make the due date. However, students submitting after the 1st deadline are unlikely to get their essays back before the exam period starts. It is entirely up to you to decide how to manage your deadline, but please note also that there will be no extensions for illness or other reasons beyond 5 May, except in the case of very serious, prolonged illness or hospitalization.

Full details of essay questions and other advice is in the unit outline on the iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The capacity to apply and utlize theoretical concepts in the analysis of International Relations.
  • The ability to carry out independent research and self-directed learning.
  • The ability to communicate fluently and effectively in both written work and oral presentations.
  • The ability to identify and organize knowledge in the field and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.

Seminar participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Internal students will be awarded up to 10 marks for the quality of their discussion in class which in turn reflects the amount of time and effort put into reading and preparaing for the seminar sessions. Students will also be asked to prepare a brief presentation on one of the tutorial questions. Students must therefore attend and participate actively in seminars.

 

External students will complete a number of short answer test questions at the end of semester in lieu of a seminar participation mark. See unit outline on iLearn site for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The ability to carry out independent research and self-directed learning.
  • The ability to communicate fluently and effectively in both written work and oral presentations.

Final Test

Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%

The final test for internal students is worth 20%. This will be administered in the same way as the mid-semester test and will therefore consist of 20 short answer questions in the same time period.

NB External students will also complete a short answer test at this time. See unit outline for further details.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • An advanced understanding of a range of theories of International Relations.

Delivery and Resources

This unit requires that you have a computer and access to broadband internet with Firefox as the browser.

Reading List

Textbooks and Sources

Students make an enormous financial investment in studying for a Master’s degree. Don’t compromise by not investing in the core texts for any unit and relying solely on the library. You are strongly advised to acquire your own copies of the core texts so that you have ready access to them when you need them. You will find that these texts are useful for other units as well. The core texts for IRPG841 are:

Stephanie Lawson, International Relations, Polity Press, 2003.

This book introduces students to the general field of IR, explains the emergence of IR theories in an historic context, and examines three major contexts for the application of theoretical concepts, namely: security and insecurity, global governance and world order, and globalization and the state. You are advised to read this book within the first week or so of the course as it will give you a good overview of the field of IR and the role of theory at a fairly accessible level. You can then re-read the relevant sections each week as indicated in the week-by-week program.

John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (ed), The Globalization of World Politics, 6th edn, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2014.

This book covers a range of IR theories, from the principle strands of realism, liberalism and Marxism through to constructivism, feminism, poststructuralism and postcolonialism. In addition to the theory chapters, there are more than 20 chapters on a range of other topics in IR, so it will be useful for wider reading.  However, it does not cover ‘green theory’ and a separate reading will be provided.

 

Supplementary Texts

You need not buy these, although they are certainly highly relevant to the unit and would be a good investment.

Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith (eds), Theories of International Relations: Discipline and Diversity, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, 2009.

Scott Burchill et al, Theories of International Relations, 4th edn, Palgrave, 2009.

 Martin Griffiths and Terry O’Callaghan, International Relations: The Key Concepts, Routledge, 2nd edn, 2008.

Further Reading

See unit outline in iLearn

 

Unit Schedule

 

Lecture and Tutorial Program

Below is a calendar providing a week by week summary of the program.

Wk 1   Introducing IR Theory

Wk 2   Classical Realism and the State of Nature

Wk 3   Idealism, Liberalism and Internationalism

Wk 4   Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism

Wk 5     Marxism and Critical Theory 

Wk 6     IR Theory after the Cold War

Wk 7     Constructivism and Postmodernism

Wk 8     Postcolonialism and Gender

Wk 9    Green Theory 

Wk 10   Theorizing Security and International Order

Wk 11   Study Week

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • An advanced understanding of a range of theories of International Relations.

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • The capacity to apply and utlize theoretical concepts in the analysis of International Relations.

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • The ability to carry out independent research and self-directed learning.

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • The ability to communicate fluently and effectively in both written work and oral presentations.
  • The ability to identify and organize knowledge in the field and to formulate persuasive, coherent and critical arguments.