UQ: Conceptions of World Politics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Online.

Admission into the D-GLOBISS Diploma in Global Issues.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability
Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage
Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course
Objectives and Generic Skills 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/

The principal purpose of this course is to introduce students to the various theoretical approaches to the study of world politics. The subject matter of international political theory – who gets what, when, where and how on a global scale – is open to a number of contrasting interpretations. The course therefore helps students critically engage with the ways in which ideas shape the practices of global politics. The course examines rival paradigms such as realism, liberalism, constructivism and feminism, as well as key concepts such as power, the international system, the state, anarchy, sovereignty, security, governance and norms.

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

• Understand different ways of thinking about international politics.
• Apply different traditions of thinking to the examination of practical dilemmas in world politics.

Weekly bog 30%, 2500 word written research essay 40% and take-home exam 30%.

A list of texts and readings will be provided at the start of the course.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Deomonstrate advanced skills of critical analysis and reflection;
• Deomonstrate enhanced skills in written communication.

Transcripts are sent from the international partner university approximately six weeks after the completion date of the course, therefore students are advised not to take this subject in the final semester of their undergraduate program if they wish to graduate in the December ceremonies.

Student undertaking this subject must complete a cross-institutional study application form to be submitted to University of Queensland at least three weeks prior to the course start date.