Special Topics: International Relations

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

2015 Topics

Semester 1: Indonesia Rising?

Geography, population, and religion have always made Indonesia and its preceding social formations a critical part of Asia, but for some the country’s economic growth and exit from military rule lead to the emergence of the “Indonesian tiger”, “the repositioning of Asia’s third giant”, and the birth of Indonesia “as a normal country”. Yet endemic corruption, predatory power structures, dysfunctional elements in government, the repression of profound historical trauma within living memory, rising religious intolerance, and persisting elements of military autonomy press the scales in the other direction. Moreover, a distinctive and activist foreign policy faces profound challenges from geopolitical shifts and from the vicissitudes of globalisation in its economic, financial, ecological, and cultural dimensions. A key concern will be the implications of these issues for Indonesia-Australia relations. The seminar will also address the effects of the interaction of internal and external elements, locating Indonesia as an agent within, as well as a consequence of, historical and contemporary global dynamics. In addition to guest lecturers from Australia and Indonesia, the subject will also feature presentations by practitioners from politics, the military, and business.

March: China’s Resurgence and its Consequences for East Asian Security

Since China’s Reform and Opening policy, enunciated in late 1978, its regional relations have been transformed, mostly for the better. It has become the leading trading partner of several of the regional states, it is embedded in multilateral regional institutions, and has established a number of strategic partnerships. However, understanding the consequences for regional order and for matters of war and peace of China’s resurgence is complex and has generated high levels of uncertainty. There are different interpretations about how China has been using and will use its new-found material strength, and how other states and peoples can best adjust to that rise in power. For the discipline of international relations itself, there is a lack of consensus about the extent to which our analytical categories can usefully explain the implications of this transformation in regional order. This elective will explore the deeper meaning of these transformations particularly as they affect the traditional security relations of East Asia. It is designed to lead to an understanding of China’s policy objectives, the nature of the power that it wields--in both its social and material domains--and the forms of resistance or embrace that China’s resurgence has generated. The elective will first examine the various theoretical perspectives that have attempted to provide an explanation of China’s regional policies, before exploring in greater detail China’s relations with dominant actors in the region—including the United States, Japan, and the ASEAN states. It will also examine China’s involvement in the so-called flashpoints in the region—Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula, and the South China Sea--and whether its recent behaviour suggests a more assertive approach to the promotion of its interests.


September: India and the World

India and the World seeks to describe, understand and analyse contemporary India's foreign policy. The subject will map the historical roots of India's foreign policy, as well as seek to understand the main intellectual and policy debates regarding India's engagement with the outside world since its independence in 1947.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
• show a good capacity to communicate research in written form;
• have developed the analytical skills to evaluate the core issue of the subject;
• have an awareness of the contemporary theoretical debates in the subject;
• be able to demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research.

Semester 1:

A 1000 word essay (20%), due early-semester, a 2000 word essay (40%) due mid-late semester, and an essay on a set topic of 2000 words (40%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment for March, September availabilities

A 1,000 word essay (20%) due 2 weeks after the intensive teaching period, and a 4,000 word research essay (80%) due during the examination period.
Hurdle Requirement: As this is an intensively taught subject, attendance at all seminars is compulsory. Regular participation in class is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Reading materials will be available either online through the LMS.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On competion of this subject students should:

• develop effective oral and written communication skills;
• display aptitude for theoretical analysis;
• ability to apply research skills to a specific area of inquiry.