Students
POIX304 – Creating New States
2019 – S1 OUA
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Aleksandar Pavkovic
Contact via aleksandar.pavkovic@mq.edu.au
TBA
OUA/External Convenor/Tutor
Sandey Fitzgerald
Contact via email
Sandey Fitzgerald
|
|---|---|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Why do we often think that the citizens of each state form, collectively, a nation, making their will known through elections? Since 1914 new states have been continuously created and justified on the basis of the principle of national self-determination. We examine the history of the principle, its theoretical justifications and its applications. Issues include: what makes a group of people a nation; how self-determination became a principle of International Law, justifying decolonisation; whether Indigenous peoples have a right to self-determination; whether there is a right to secede; and whether this principle might be abandoned within a united Europe.
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
|
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
General Assessment Information
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 – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
The convenor does not grant extensions for any assessment task. See Special Consideration Policy under Policies and Procedures below.
In preparing their assessments students also obliged to follow the University Academic Integrity policies, see below Policies and Procedures, Academic Integrity Policy, Part B Unacceptable Academic Activities.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online discussion | 10% | No | each week |
| Review paper | 15% | No | 25 March |
| Research essay | 40% | No | 31 May 10 pm |
| Take Home Class Test | 35% | No | Week 13 |
Online discussion
Due: each week
Weighting: 10%
OUA students will share the External/OUA Students Forum. Each week there will be a question posted to which all OUA and External students will be required to reply with a post no longer than 200 words. The reply should be posted within a week from the date of the posting of the question. In order to gain the 10% participation mark, a student needs to post at least 10 coherent and focused replies. The questions will deal with the issues raised in the lectures and readings only. The purpose of this forum is not the presentation of your personal opinions but the discussion of topics arising from the lectures and readings.Your replies should be based on your readings and should not be based on your personal opinions or preferences. You can comment on other students' posts provided you follow the rules of netiquette and keep your discussion within the bounds of the question raised. This forum should be a substitute for a live tutorial.
If you are in circumstances that will make it difficult to do this assessment task as outlined, you need to contact your tutor and/or Campus Well-bring immediately.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
Review paper
Due: 25 March
Weighting: 15%
Each student should write a paper of maximum 900 words (3 typed pages) reviewing two items (chapters or excerpts) on the required/recommended reading list in relation to a specified topic. The list of possible topics (that is, items to be reviewed) from which students can choose will be posted on the iLearn page. Students will chose one topic and write their short paper on this topic.
The essay writing guide posted on the iLearn page should be followed in writing this paper.
This assessment tests your basic skills in (a) research (b) scholarly text comprehension and (c) writing essays on a chosen topic. At level 300 you are supposed to have more than basic skills of these three kinds; therefore, you cannot continue in this unit without these basic skills.
This is an early assessment of the student's progress in the unit. If you do not pass, you should consider withdrawing from this unit.
The paper should be uploaded using the Turntin upload which will be posted on the iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
Research essay
Due: 31 May 10 pm
Weighting: 40%
Students will be given a choice of questions in the area of secession, decolonization and unification. They will choose one question from one area and write an essay in response using secondary scholarly source and/or primary sources not listed in the required/recommended readings. Sources which are exclusively internet based - that is, which are created only for internet dissemination - should not be used.
Not to exceed 2000 words, excluding the bibliography, but including footnotes or endnotes. Note: do not use footnotes or endnotes for referencing.
Harvard (in text) referencing system is required.
An essay writing guide is posted on iLearn page and it should be followed strictly (note: you need to back your statements by reference to scholarly sources and not propaganda whether posted on the web or printed.) The Criteria for Marking are posted there as well. The essay should be uploaded through the Turntin upload facility on the unit iLearn page.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Take Home Class Test
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 35%
The test aims to assess the comprehension of basic concepts, theories and case studies discussed in the course. It is based entirely on the required readings and lectures.
During the allocated two hours students will be given four questions in response to which they will write short essays. These four questions will be chosen from the topics of the whole unit. Since the test is based on lectures and readings, a simple revision of the student’s notes made during the course will be a sufficient preparation for it. The amount of information that can be conveyed in so limited a time is also limited and so students do not need to memorize historical narratives or dates.
Students will be able to access the test on the unit iLearn page and write their answers on the web spaces provided for that purpose. They will be able to access the web space for writing for two continuous hours only. Student access will be enabled at 1 pm on the day of the test and will close on 11 pm the same day. The exact test date will be posted on iLearn page and students will be notified via their discussion group: the test will be in the last week of the unit (Week 13).
This is timed assessment.
If you are in circumstances that will make it difficult to do this assessment task as outlined, you need to contact your tutor and/or Campus Well-bring immediately.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Delivery and Resources
There will be one two-hour (live) lecture which is recorded and available through the Echo link in iLearn shortly after. Some lectures may be pre-recorded in a video format available both to external and internal students. In such cases, there will be no recorded live lectures.
There is a reading set for each week. The list of readings will be posted on the iLearn page of the unit. The readings should be available in the library on e-reserve through Unit Readings or online.
There will be a discussion group for OUA and External students. A question will be set for discussion each week. The question will be related to the week's lecture topic.
Specific questions about the unit, assessment and reading should be addressed directly to the unit convenor.
Unit Schedule
This unit explores the following three ways of creating new states: decolonization, secession and unification. Of all three, secession is currently the most frequent or perhaps the most effective way of creating a new state. The unit thus explores the normative (ethical) and legal grounds for secession – including the principle of national self-determination – as well as various theories attempting to explain why and how secessions unfold.
Lecture topics by week:
1. Creating new states: at this very moment and in the past.
2. The state: how to centralize political power on a bounded territory
3. The nation: how to mobilize people to demand – and obey – a state of their own
4. A modern way of state creation I : the principle of self-determination and decolonization
5. Decolonisation, secession and unification: three ways of creating new states out of old
6. A modern way of state-creation II : Dissolution of states by sequential secessions ( the USSR, Yugoslavia)
7. A modern way of state-creation III: Secessions from states, peaceful (Montenegro 2006) and violent (Chechnya 1994)
8. How to explain secessions: a general framework
9. Justifying secessions and recognizing new states: normative theories and international recognition
10. Unification: rare but unproblematic? Germany (1871, 1990), Yugoslavia (1918, 1992)
11. Towards the unification of the world: the European Union and (perhaps?) the World State.
12. Reading week: no classes (consultation instead)
13. Class test
Learning and Teaching Activities
Assessments tasks: how difficult and what to do about them
Policies and Procedures
Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide
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 – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Extension Request
Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
- were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
- were beyond your control
- caused substantial disruption to your academic work
- substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
- lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
- Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
- Fill in your relevant details
- Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
- Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
OUA Specific Policies and Procedures
Withdrawal from a unit after the census date
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
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 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 ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
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 outcomes
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Review paper
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
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
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Online discussion
- Review paper
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
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
- How to identify and analyze a political process when it occurs at different periods and in a different social and geographical space
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Online discussion
- Review paper
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
Learning and teaching activities
- In order to pass the unit, students have to pass all four assessment tasks. In particular, students should read carefully and follow strictly the essay writing guide. Any further reading or training in essay writing is highly recommended (see under Student Support below). The Research essay is the most challenging assessment task in this unit for all students. This is obviously more challenging to non-native speakers and those who did not write research essays in social science subjects before; these students should certainly seek training and assistance in essay writing provided by the University (see Student Support, Learning Skills under Policies and Procedures).
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
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use social science theories in an attempt to identify the causal factors which may explain such political processes
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Online discussion
- Review paper
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
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 outcome
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Online discussion
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
Learning and teaching activities
- In order to pass the unit, students have to pass all four assessment tasks. In particular, students should read carefully and follow strictly the essay writing guide. Any further reading or training in essay writing is highly recommended (see under Student Support below). The Research essay is the most challenging assessment task in this unit for all students. This is obviously more challenging to non-native speakers and those who did not write research essays in social science subjects before; these students should certainly seek training and assistance in essay writing provided by the University (see Student Support, Learning Skills under Policies and Procedures).
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 outcome
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
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
- How to identify, compare and contrast the salient aspects of a single political process taking place in these different temporal and spatial locations
- How to use social science theories in the performance of above two tasks
- How to use normative (political and ethical) theories to evaluate/assess particular cases of political activity and their outcomes
Assessment tasks
- Review paper
- Research essay
- Take Home Class Test
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 08/02/2019 | References to External students were replaced with references to OUA students to avoid confusion. Since OUA students can be in circumstances where discussion and timed assessments can be difficult to do, a note was added to these assessment tasks advising them to contact the tutor and/or Campus Well-being. |