Special Topics: International Relations

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

None

None

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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

2012 Topics

Semester 1: Primacy, Hegemony, and Special Responsibilities: The United States in International Order

How is international order managed when there is one preponderant state? This option explores the possible roles of the United States through the theoretical lenses of primacy and hegemony. The first relates the US role to the distribution of power. the second locates it in a context of social legitimacy. Traditionally, great powers have been assigned ‘special responsibilities’ for managing international order, but the nature of these responsibilities differs in the two theoretical accounts. This subject explores the theory, and applies it to policy issues such as climate change, UN Security Council reform, East Asian regional order, and the shaping of the international economic regime.

Semester 2: 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 subejct students should:

Semester 1:

• understand the major theories of international order;
• relate theories of great-power management to the unusual distribution of one dominant state;
• apply those theoretical frameworks to major issues of international public policy;
• develop an understanding of the specific potential of the United States, and the constraints on its ability to act;
• engage with the debates about the passing of US primacy or hegemony.

Semester 2:

• have acquired an advanced understanding of the making of India's foreign policy;
• have developed a familiarity with the theoretical debates that have defined this policy;
• have an understanding of the main challenges that have confronted India's foreign policy.

A 1,000 word essay (20%) due mid-semester, and a 4,000 word research essay (80%) 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.Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject.Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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