International and Comparative Politics

Subject 166-502 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 25.00
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
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: 3 hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment: 4 contact hours/week , 16 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of International Politics (100 point program), or the Master of Arts in International Politics.
Corequisites: This is a compulsory subject in the Master of International Politics (100 point program).
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 Ralph Pettman

Contact

Prof. Leslie Holmes
leslieth@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject provides a comprehensive overview of the major post-war approaches and methodologies used to explain international relations and comparative world politics. It also provides a trenchant critique of these approaches and methodologies, not only within the terms set by the disciplines concerned, but also in terms of the limits and distortions of the rationalist project of which these disciplines are a part.
Objectives:
  • Be familiar with the main developments in international relations and comparative world politics as disciplines, since 1945;
  • Be able to provide a critical overview of each of the developments identified;
  • Be capable of deciding which, in any, of the approaches and methodologies studied will be of greatest value to them in their own subsequent research (e.g. thesis) or work programs.
Assessment: Ten briefing papers, one a week excepting week 1 and 12, 500 words each (5000 words); a major essay, due at the end of the semester (5000 words)
Prescribed Texts: None, but students will be strongly encouraged to purchase the reading pack produced explicitly for this subject.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to demonstrate competence in theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, forming judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of selected methods of analysis of international politics;
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.
Notes:

Formerly available as 166-502. Students who have completed 166-502 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This is a compulsory subject in the Master of International Politics 100-point program and the Master of International Politics(Advanced Seminar Shorter Thesis) program.
Related Course(s): M.A.International Politics (Advanced Seminars and Shorter Thesis)
Master of Arts (Asian Societies)
Master of Arts (International Studies)(Adv. Seminars and Shorter Thesis)
Master of International Politics
Master of International Studies

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