Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Dr Lavina Lee
Contact via lavina.lee@mq.edu.au
Rm 431, Building W6A
Thursdays 1.30 - 3 pm
Tutors TBA
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Global politics is often dramatic and contentious covering big picture dilemmas such as what are the causes of war and peace? How do we find solutions to shared global problems like climate change and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons? How do we make sense of persistent poverty and underdevelopment in some parts of the world but not others? Whose political ideas matter most and why? Finally, what have been the implications of globalisation for world politics? This unit equips students with the tools to understand the forces that shape the world we live in by introducing them to the key issues, institutions, ideas and actors involved in global politics. The first section of the unit outlines the historical context, key theories and concepts, and fundamental institutions of contemporary global politics. The second section covers important contemporary issues including security challenges, climate change, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, global inequality, the role of culture, religion and identity in global politics, great power rivalry, and globalisation. The unit gives students the foundations necessary for undertaking a major in International Relations or Politics.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Essays will be FAILED for the following reasons
1. Plagiarism – for example, where sentences or paragraphs are taken word-for-word or nearly word-for-word from another source and presented as original expression. See the University's Academic Honesty Policy for an in-depth explanation of what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is taken very seriously by the Convenor and the Department generally. A plagiarised essay will get zero marks and the student will receive a fail grade. In addition, it is Faculty policy that a note of the offence is placed on the student’s academic record. If this is a second offence the penalties may escalate to failure of the course, and expulsion from the degree.
2. Excessive use of direct quotes may result in a fail grade. As a general rule, no more than 10% of your overall word length should appear in direct quotes. You must try to express your ideas and arguments in your own words as much as possible. This demonstrates true understanding.
3. Identical or nearly identical essays will all fail – regardless of the original authorship.
4. Work that is significantly below the required word length.
5. Essays written with poor English grammar and expression may be failed if the marker is unable to understand the argument(s) raised.
Examination
The only exception to sitting an examination at the designated time (above) is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances, you may wish to consider applying for 'disruption of studies'. Consult the Disruption of Studies Policy (below) for further information about what criteria must be met.
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Disruption of Studies process, the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period.
You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period.
Extensions and Penalties
The following policies will apply in relation to the essay plan and major research essay.
EXTENSIONS
Any student seeking an extension of time to submit their essay plan or research paper must, except in extraordinary circumstances, submit to the Convenor (or have submitted on their behalf) a request in writing and supportive documentary evidence before the due date. Extensions will not be given other than in exceptional cases of illness. In such cases, a certificate signed by a medical practitioner must be submitted as supportive documentary evidence. In extraordinary circumstances where a written request for an extension cannot be submitted, an application for an extension can be sought verbally. However, in such cases, any extension granted will be subject to the student subsequently submitting such documentary evidence as is deemed appropriate by the Convenor. If an extension is sought due to the death of a family member, proof must be provided in the form of a death certificate.
Whilst we do understand that many or most students support themselves through paid employment, extensions cannot be granted on this basis alone. Students must manage their time and workloads accordingly. Essay topics will be made available early in the semester leaving sufficient time for essay preparation. Meeting deadlines for assignments is treated very seriously in this course. Accordingly, the penalties for late submission are high.
PENALTIES FOR LATE SUBMISSION
Any research paper that is submitted after the due date and without having obtained an extension will be penalised at a rate of 3% per day. For example:
Any paper that is submitted after the 14th day will not be marked and the student submitting such a paper will be deemed not to have completed and submitted the paper.
Assignment Submission
Hard copy submission of assignments will not be required for this course. All assignments are to be submitted online using the ilearn website for this unit. A Turnitin link for submission will be set up there. Comments and grades will also be available online.
Turn-it-in
All written work in this course is also 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.
Re-submission of assessment tasks
Re-submission of assessment tasks is not possible in this unit. Please consult with your tutor before handing in any assessment task if you have any questions. Also, see the section below titled 'student support' for details about workshops on research skills, essay writing, and plagiarism available to all students in the first weeks of the semester.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Class Participation | 10% | No | Ongoing |
Quiz | 10% | No | 30 March 2017 |
Essay Plan | 10% | No | Friday 7 April |
Major Research Essay | 40% | No | Tuesday 2 May |
Final Examination | 30% | No | Formal examination period |
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
A discussion board has been set up on ilearn as a forum to facilitate on-line discussion of the course material. Discussion will centre on specific questions which will be uploaded onto the board from week to week. There may also be debates, case studies, and scenarios that will require prior preparation. You may consider contributing to the discussion by sharing relevant journal articles, news articles, reports, or your own analysis of events and relating them to the weekly topic. Students will be assessed on their contributions to the discussion board throughout the semester.
To encourage regular participation, contributions to the discussion board made on a particular topic will not be assessed unless it is made within a two week period after the relevant lecture. For example, contributions related to the topic discussed in week 2 should be made by week 4 at the latest. As a minimum, you should make at least 6 contributions to the discussion board throughout the semester – however, more frequent participation is encouraged. Further, at least three contributions must be made to a topic in weeks 1-7, and three for a topic in weeks 9-12.
Assessment of participation in the discussion board is based on the quality of your contributions rather than the number of contributions made. The quality of your contributions will be significantly enhanced by the amount of preparation you do each week. To prepare you should read the materials set as 'required reading' on ilearn, engage in any online activities listed for each week, and listen to the lectures. You might also share news reports, video links, articles that you come across and explain why you think they might be relevant to the discussion on a particular topic. Students who complete the readings, and engage with the lecture and online material always get the most benefit from the unit.
It is also important that the contributions made by students acknowledge previous points of view and provide constructive follow-on comments. That is, there should be an attempt to respond to the comments previously made on a topic. Participants should avoid making unconnected statements unless they wish to start a new thread (raise a new issue).
Remember also to be courteous to other participants – if you would not make particular comments to another student in person, then you should refrain from making them online. I want to encourage open, friendly, and respectful discussion and debate.
Contributions to the discussion board made after week 13 will not be assessed.
Due: 30 March 2017
Weighting: 10%
An online quiz will be released on ilearn on Thursday 30 March 2017. It will be 1 hour in length and consist of multiple choice questions covering the topics discussed in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the course.
Due: Friday 7 April
Weighting: 10%
This assessment is intended to assist you in researching, planning and writing your major essay. In this task, you will select an essay question for the major essay, complete some preliminary research on the topic, provide an annotated bibliography identifying three key works that you will refer to in the essay, and write an essay plan. Further instructions on how to complete this task will be provided on ilearn and in lectures.
Due: Tuesday 2 May
Weighting: 40%
This assessment consists of an 1800-2000 word research essay. The word length excludes footnotes and bibliography. Essay topics will be uploaded onto ilearn early in the semester. Essays will be graded using the Discipline of Politics and International Relations' Grade Criteria and Rubric document, which will be uploaded onto ilearn.
Due: Formal examination period
Weighting: 30%
Students will take a two-hour (plus 10 minutes reading time) final exam paper during the formal examination period (12 June to 30 June 2017). This is an individual assessment task and will cover topics discussed in week 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Internal and external students will sit the exam on the same date. However, the external exam will be released on ilearn at 7.30 pm for re-submission online. The exact date of the exam will be released by the University Registrar during the mid-semester recess. Students must ensure that they are available to take the exam on any day during the exam period. If students miss the final exam, they should refer to the Disruption to Studies policy below.
Details of the structure and format of the paper will be released on ilearn by the mid-semester recess.
Textbook
The following textbook will be used in this course and is required for purchase:
Lawson, S. (2017). International Relations (3rd Ed) Cambridge MA: Polity Press (ISBN: 9781509508563)
Please ensure that you buy the latest 2017 edition. Copies have been ordered for the Co-op Bookshop located on campus.
Additional required readings will be available through the library and ilearn.
Technologies Used
This unit has an online presence in ilearn. Students will require access to reliable broadband and a computer. Students must login to this site, and also their student email account each week.
To login go to: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/index.php
Tutoring Staff
TBA
Week 1 - An Introduction to the study of Global Politics
Week beginning 27 February
Week 2 - The Historical Context: Political Systems in World History
Week beginning 6 March
Week 3 - The Historical Context: IR in the Twentieth Century
Week beginning 13 March
Week 4 - Theories of International Relations
Week beginning 20 March
Week 5 - Essay Writing and Research Skills
Week beginning 27 March
QUIZ - Thursday 30 March
Week 6 - Security and Insecurity
Week beginning 3 April.
ESSAY PLAN DUE Friday 7 April
Week 7 - The Global Governance Challenge
Week beginning 10 April
MID-SEMESTER RECESS - 17 April to 31 April
Week 8 - No lecture or tutorials
Week beginning 1 May.
MAJOR ESSAY DUE Tuesday 2 May
Week 9 - International Political Economy
Week beginning 8 May
Week 10 - Religion and Culture in Global Politics
Week beginning 15 May
Week 11 - Great Power Transitions
Week beginning 22 May
Week 12 - Globalisation and the Study of International Relations
Week beginning 29 May
Week 13 - Concluding Comments
Week beginning 5 June
Exam period commences: 12 June
FINAL EXAM on date set by the registrar
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_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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