Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor and Lecturer Dr Lavina Lee lavina.lee@mq.edu.au Contact via lavina.lee@mq.edu.au Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub, 16 University Avenue By appointment Wednesday 1 - 2 pm. Tutor Dr Roger Huang roger.huang@mq.edu.au Contact via TBA - see ilearn Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub, 16 University Avenue TBA - see ilearn Tutor Amira Aftab amira.aftab@mq.edu.au Contact via TBA - see ilearn Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub, 16 University Avenue TBA - see ilearn Further tutors to be advised Momoyo Sugimoto momoyo.sugimoto@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
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.

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:

Develop the capacity for critical analysis.
Develop and apply research skills that enable students to provide evidence to support their arguments.
Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Encourage students to see themselves as agents of positive change.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

General Assessment Information

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 (link below) for an in-depth explanation of what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is taken very seriously by the Convenor and the Department generally and will result in a range of penalties, including a zero grade for an assessment task. Serious instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Faculty Discipline Committee.

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.

6. Work that has been previously submitted and assessed in other units that is then re-submitted for assessment for POL 108, in whole or part, will receive a fail grade. This is defined as 'self-plagiarism' under the Academic Honesty Policy.

Examination

The only exception to taking an examination at the designated time (above) is where a student has experienced 'unexpected, unavoidable and serious circumstances' that prevented them from completing the paper, that can be documented. In these circumstances, the student should consider applying for 'Special Consideration'. Consult the Special Consideration Policy (below) for further information about what criteria must be met.

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration 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 to take the exam as scheduled (Saturday 9th of June 9 am to Sunday 10th of June 6 pm).

Extensions

Any student seeking an extension of time to submit their major research essay must apply formally for 'special consideration' using the ask.mq.edu.au system. Applications should be made before the due date for the assignment.

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

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved:

(a) a penalty for lateness will apply - two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date;

(b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline;

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 for the major essay, quiz and final exam will be set up there. Comments and grades will also be available online.

Turn-it-in

All written work in this course is 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.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Class Participation	10%	No	Ongoing
Quiz	15%	No	26 March 2017
Research Essay	40%	No	Tuesday 1 May
On-line Final Exam	35%	No	Saturday 9 June 2018

Class Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Throughout the semester students will be assessed on their participation in class discussion and learning activities during tutorials. Students are expected to be well prepared for class discussion. They can do this by reading the materials set as 'required reading' on ilearn, engaging in any online activities listed for each week, listening to the lectures prior to your tutorial, answering discussion questions (listed on ilearn) and preparing for tutorial activities prior to class. Students who prepare in advance for the tutorials by completing the readings and engaging in the lecture and online material always get the most benefit from the unit.

Participation marks are only awarded to those who demonstrate an awareness of the course materials by actively participating in tutorials. Attendance alone does not constitute participation.

Students are expected to attend 80% of tutorials over the course of the semester. If you are ill and unable to attend class, please obtain a medical certificate and give this to your tutor in person or scan and email a copy to them. It is not necessary to apply for special consideration through the ask.mq.edu.au system.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop the capacity for critical analysis.
Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Encourage students to see themselves as agents of positive change.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

Quiz

Due: 26 March 2017
Weighting: 15%

An online quiz will be released on ilearn on Monday 26 March at 9 am. 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. You have 24 hours to log in to the quiz on ilearn and take the test. Access to the quiz will close at 9 am on Tuesday 27 March. Students are responsible for making sure that they are able to access ilearn during this 24 hour period.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

Research Essay

Due: Tuesday 1 May
Weighting: 40%

This assessment consists of a 1500 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.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop the capacity for critical analysis.
Develop and apply research skills that enable students to provide evidence to support their arguments.
Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Encourage students to see themselves as agents of positive change.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

On-line Final Exam

Due: Saturday 9 June 2018
Weighting: 35%

Students will take an online examination at the end of week 13. The exam paper will be released on ilearn on Saturday 9 June at 9 am, and is due for re-submission on Sunday 10 June by 6 pm. A Turnitin submission link will be set-up on ilearn. This is an individual assessment task and will specifically cover topics discussed in week 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Understanding of the material covered in weeks 1-4 is still necessary.

Students must ensure that they are available to complete the exam during this period. If students fail to submit the exam paper they should refer to the Special Consideration Policy below. Requests for supplementary exams outside of this policy will not be accepted. Do not book holidays in this period.

Note that whilst you have been given almost 2 days to complete the paper, it is able to be completed in 3 hours if you are prepared in advance.

Details of the structure and format of the paper will be released on ilearn by the mid-semester recess.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop the capacity for critical analysis.
Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

Delivery and Resources

Lectures and Tutorials

Please consult the timetable for details of the locations and times of lectures and tutorials for each week: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2018/

A two-hour lecture has been scheduled each week. However, please consult ilearn for variations from week to week. The lecture will be held on Wednesdays from 11am-1pm in the T1 Theatre, 17 Wally's Walk. Note that the lecture theatre can seat 215 people, and will be 'live-streamed'.

Tutorials are 1 hour in length.

Textbook

The following textbook will be used in this course and is required for purchase:

Lawson, S. (2017). International Relations (3^rd 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. Some may be available second-hand.

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

Unit Schedule

Week 1 - An Introduction to the study of Global Politics

Week beginning 26 February

Week 2 - The Historical Context: Political Systems in World History

Week beginning 5 March

Week 3 - The Historical Context: IR in the Twentieth Century

Week beginning 12 March

Week 4 - Theories of International Relations

Week beginning 19 March

Week 5 - Essay Writing and Research Skills

Week beginning 26 March

Lecture but no tutorials

QUIZ released 9 am Monday 26 March - remains open until 9 am Tuesday 27 March 2018.

Week 6 - Security and Insecurity

Week beginning 2 April

Week 7 - The Global Governance Challenge

Week beginning 9 April

MID-SEMESTER RECESS - Monday 16 April to Friday 27 April 2018

Week 8 - NO LECTURE AND TUTORIALS

Week beginning 30 April

MAJOR ESSAY DUE: Tuesday 1 May

Week 9 - International Political Economy

Week beginning 7 May

Week 10 - Religion and Culture in Global Politics

Week beginning 14 May

Week 11 - Great Power Transitions

Week beginning 21 May

Week 12 - Globalisation and the Study of International Relations / Concluding comments

Week beginning 28 May

Week 13 - STUDY WEEK

Week beginning 4 June

No lectures or Tutorials

FINAL EXAM DUE: Paper released on Saturday 9th of June at 9 am and is due for submission by 6 pm on Sunday 10th of June.

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

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Encourage students to see themselves as agents of positive change.

Assessment tasks

Class Participation
Research Essay
On-line Final Exam

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.

Assessment tasks

Class Participation
Research Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

Assessment tasks

Class Participation
Quiz
Research Essay
On-line Final Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Develop the capacity for critical analysis.
Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

Assessment tasks

Class Participation
Quiz
Research Essay
On-line Final Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Develop the capacity for critical analysis.
Develop and apply research skills that enable students to provide evidence to support their arguments.
Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.

Assessment task

Research Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Develop the skills needed to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
Understand and explain the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.

Assessment tasks

Class Participation
Research Essay
On-line Final Exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Encourage students to see themselves as agents of positive change.

Assessment tasks

Class Participation
Research Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Encourage students to become engaged with the key issues and challenges that are currently facing the world.
Encourage students to see themselves as agents of positive change.

Assessment task

Class Participation