Students
POIR905 – Foundations in Politics, International Relations and Public Policy
2018 – S2 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
convenor
Steve Wood
Contact via 98508659
AHH 2nd floor
by appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or GradDipIntRel or GradCertIntRel or MPPP or GradDipPP or GradCertPP
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores some key concepts in Politics and International Relations. It enables a broad understanding of these contested concepts, which have decisively influenced political and human development through history to the present.
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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:
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
- Capacity to research and compose an advanced-level scholarly essay
General Assessment Information
'Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 2 marks out of a total of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.'
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50% | No | 26 October 12:00 noon |
| Test | 50% | No | 2 November |
Essay
Due: 26 October 12:00 noon
Weighting: 50%
Research essay of 2500 words = 50%
Choose one of the questions listed below. It is advisable to begin work on a response sooner rather than later. Don’t leave it until near the due date. Research effort and the relevance of applied sources is part of the evaluation.
Please ensure that the essay is properly and completely referenced in accordance with academic standards. At Masters level there are no excuses for anything less.
Do not change the wording of the questions or invent new questions. Due date: 26 October, 4pm.
Essay Questions
1) Is the state the world's predominant political entity? If yes, will continue to be? If no, what is?
2) What causes political violence?
3) Is international politics different to politics in one country or fundamentally the same?
4) What gives a political actor legitimacy?
5) What is the most powerful force in politics?
6) Is a global political culture or system possible?
7) How influential on politics is ideology?
8) Analyse the concept of 'security' as it relates to politics
9) What is public policy and who decides what will be implemented?
10) Which theory of International Relations is most convincing and why?
11) What is globalization?
12) Which contemporary public policy issue is most important and why?
13) Are justice and freedom compatible?
14) Is the notion of territory changing?
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
- Capacity to research and compose an advanced-level scholarly essay
Test
Due: 2 November
Weighting: 50%
Test based on the topics addressed through the unit.
A test document will be accessible on the unit iLearn site at the time and date of the test.
Students have 3 hours and 10 minutes to respond to questions and submit the test document on the unit ilearn site
If drawing on other material, please reference properly, including use of quote marks. Do not base all of all your answers on the work of others (i.e. by paraphrasing or direct quoting). Include your own observations where possible.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
Delivery and Resources
Lectures will be audio recorded and accessible via University channels. In some weeks lectures will be available before the nominal Friday time
Unit Schedule
See the 'detailed unit guide' on the iLearn site
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). 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
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
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.
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://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.
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 outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
- Capacity to research and compose an advanced-level scholarly essay
Assessment tasks
- Essay
- Test
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 outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
- Capacity to research and compose an advanced-level scholarly essay
Assessment tasks
- Essay
- Test
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 outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
- Capacity to research and compose an advanced-level scholarly essay
Assessment task
- Test
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
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge of political concepts
- Ability to integrate political and philosophical reasoning
- Comprehend different factors influencing national and/or world affairs
- Effectively communicate understanding of connections between concepts, and between concepts and practices
- Capacity to research and compose an advanced-level scholarly essay
Assessment tasks
- Essay
- Test
unit description
This unit explores some key themes and concepts in Politics, International Relations and Public Policy. It enables a broad understanding of these, which have decisively influenced human development through history to the present. The unit is not especially difficult, however, it is at Masters level and presumes that students have completed an undergraduate degree and are able to compose pieces of academic writing at a reasonable standard.
The unit is mandated by the AQF/ASQC. Because rooms are difficult to obtain during this transition period of building construction for the Faculty the unit is only offered in external mode. Audio lectures, hopefully with screen capture of slides, will be available on iLearn/Echo each week in accordance with the schedule of topics. Precise days and times when audio lectures will first be available will vary.
Weekly readings are available on the unit iLearn site. Initiative to locate other relevant works is welcomed.
A unit discussion board will be available for students to engage with each week’s indicative questions. The discussion board is not for asking general questions about unit organization or assessment.
For other individual inquiries email the convenor at steve.wood@mq.edu.au
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 05/07/2018 | 'Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 2 marks out of a total of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.' |