pol5ric contemp internat relations
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
POL5RIC
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject provides an introduction to the structures, issues and powers of the contemporary international system and surveys the academic and policy debates about these issues. The subject is a graduate level survey course on contemporary issues and institutions in international affairs. The subject begins with an examination of the foundational components of the international system: the state and globalization, the role of war and the balance of power in the international system, and the global economy with focus on recent economic crises. The subject then examines America's distinctive global role and the prospects of structural change in world politics caused the rise of new powers. The subject then considers a number of issues and cases. It examines growth of peace operations and humanitarian intervention, the place of nationalism, the growth of democracy, and changes in the natural environment; international law and population movement.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorKumuda Simpson-Gray
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in HUSS Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree or through subject coordinator's approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects POL4CIR; POL5CIR
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Core subject for the Master of International Relations (AMIR/AMIRL/AMIRH/AMIRS), Graduate Diploma of International Relations(AGIR) and Graduate Certificate of International Relations (ACIR)
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Contemporary debates on nationalism, | Recommended | Ozkirimli, U. | PALGRAVE 2005 |
| Readings | Contemporary security studies, | Recommended | Collins, A. | OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 2007 |
| Readings | Globalization of world politics, | Recommended | Baylis, J. and Smith, S. | 4TH EDN, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 2008 |
| Readings | Special providence: American foreign policy and how it changed the world, | Recommended | Russell Mead, W. | KNOPF 2002 |
| Readings | Taming American power: the global response to US, | Recommended | Walt, S. M. | NORTON 2005 |
| Readings | Understanding international relations, | Recommended | Brown, C. | PALGRAVE 2005 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Students will have extensive knowledge of key issues, institutions and ideas that shape contemporary international relations.
- Activities:
- Essay, book review, event brief.
02. Students will use their advanced knowledge and research skills to critically examine key dynamics and trends in these issues and ideas.
- Activities:
- Essay, book review, event brief.
03. Students will autonomously design and execute a substantial research project on a key issue in international relations that demonstrates advanced critical thinking skills and uses them to situate the issue in its social, political and economic context.
- Activities:
- Essay, book review, event brief.
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDaniel Bray
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1000-word book review | 15 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| One 1000-word world event brief | 15 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| one 3000-word essay | 60 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Weekly seminar presentations - 500 words | 10 |