Special Topics: International Relations

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

None

None

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

POLS90031 (Semester 2, 2012)

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/

2013 Topics

July: Power Shifts and the Making of the Modern World

For over five hundred years the international order has been shaped by the overwhelming military and economic power of the West – a dominance that was confirmed between 1989 and 1991 when the world was turned upside down by one of the great revolutions in modern world politics: the collapse of the communist project. This not only confirmed the superiority of the West; in many ways it marked its high point. However, nothing lasts for ever; and since the turn of the new century, economists like Danny Quah and Jim O'Neill - not to mention geopolitical thinkers such as Niall Ferguson and Paul Kennedy - have begun to rethink the future shape of the world order. Their conclusions are as intellectually arresting as they are globally significant. The old western world - they argue - is fast losing its privileged position as new actors, most notably, but not only, in Asia, begin to assert themselves. As a result, one of the greatest power shifts in history is underway with consequences that could prove to be as critical to international affairs in the 21st century as the final triumph of Europe was in the nineteenth and America's was in the twentieth.

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:

July:

• have an understanding of the reasons for the power shift and what history can teach us about the present;
• have an understanding of how different states respond to these changes;
• have an understanding of what these changes mean for Australia, its allies and its region over the longer term.

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.

July: Written work totalling 5,000 words. Details to be advised by the subject coordinator at the commencement of the subject.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an intensively taught subject, attendance at seminars on all 4 days is compulsory in order for students to qualify to have their written work assessed. 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.

Semester 2:

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. 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.

July: readings will be available online via the subject LMS site prior to the commencement of seminars.

Semester 2: 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