International Politics

Subject 166-103 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Total of 8 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

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

Coordinator

Prof Robyn Eckersley

Contact

Prof. Robyn Eckersley
r.eckersley@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject provides students with an introduction to the actors, institutions, dynamics and key debates that make up international politics. It equips students to ‘go behind the news’ of world affairs and understand the deeper structural and political changes and challenges confronting states, citizens and non-state actors in our increasingly interconnected world. Topics covered include the United Nations, the changing nature of war, terrorism, WMD proliferation, great power rivalry and American power, human rights, humanitarian intervention, trade liberalisation and its critics, global inequality, climate change, and the refugee crisis. The topics will be used to demonstrate the relevance of competing theories of international politics, including realism, liberalism and critical theories (such as Marxism and feminism) against the background of the shift from the Cold War to the post-Cold War period.
Objectives:
  • become acquainted with a range of important issues in global politics;
  • enhance their analytical and critical capacities, and their ability to apply these to contemporary issues of global importance;
  • achieve a basic grounding in the major conceptual frameworks in the area of international politics.
Assessment: An essay of 1000 words 25% (due mid-semester), an essay of 2000 words 50% (due at the end of semester) and a take-home exam of 1000 words 25% (due during the examination period).
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available
Recommended Texts:

Richard Devetak, Anthony Burke and Jim George (eds.), Introduction to International Relations: Australian Perspectives (Cambridge University Press, 2007);

John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owen (eds.), The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008).
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
  • be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
  • be able to participate in teamwork through small group discussions;
  • be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision.
Notes:

Formerly available as 166-103 Global Politics. Students who have completed 166-103 Global Politics are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Available as a Breadth subject.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) and Bachelor of Laws
Diploma in Arts (Australian Studies)
Diploma in Arts (Development Studies)
Diploma in Arts (International Studies)
Diploma in Arts (Political Science)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Development Studies
Development Studies Major
Environmental Studies
International Studies Major
Political Science Major
Politics & International Studies
Politics and International Studies
Politics and International Studies

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