International Relations: Key Questions

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

12.5 points of Level 1 Politics and International Studies. Level 1 subject International Politics is highly recommended.

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

Global politics is one fundamental way of talking about human life on earth. This subject asks, and seeks systematically to answer, a wide range of related questions like: Who governs? Who provides? Who am 'I'? Who owns all this stuff? Who makes it? Whose idea was this anyway? Where are all the women? What's wrong with warmer weather? How reliable is rationalism? Who talks about the Beyond? Who behaves accordingly? In the process this subject discusses the balance of inter-state power, global guerrilla strategies, the energy issue, democracy as a world ideal, patterns of global property possession, world production chains, people smuggling, the role played by norm entrepreneurs, feminism and environmentalism, the globalisation of the modernist project, and where god has gone.

• have an understanding of the causes of violent conflict;
• have an appreciation of the contending theories and approaches in international relations and international security;
• have the background to think critically about these theories;
• have the ability to apply a variety of theoretical approaches to understand and make sense of contemporary international relations;
• improve their criticial thinking and analytical skills;
• improve their writing and oral skills.

Essay of 2,000 words, 50% (due mid-semester), and a 2-hour exam, 50% (held during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookstore at the beginning of semester.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

Formerly available as 166-029 and 166-302. Students who have completed 166-029 or 166-302 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Available as a Breadth subject.