This course surveys the principal theoretical perspectives on international relations and explores their relevance to understanding contemporary issues and developments in world politics. It considers why we should theorise about international relations, asks what international relations is as an academic pursuit, reviews the various meanings of theory, and introduces the major theoretical questions and perspectives that have occupied students of international affairs. In surveying the major theories of international relations, it assumes that all theories have an explanatory dimension-explaining how the world works-and a normative dimension-prescribing how it ought to work.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
This course is designed to give students:
- An appreciation of the centrality of theorizing to all thinking about international relations.
- An understanding of the principal theoretical perspectives that have been developed to understand international relations and global politics, and an appreciation of how individual theories have evolved in relation to one another and within particular social and historical contexts.
- An ability to engage with theories critically and reflectively.
- An ability to reason theoretically through written and spoken communication.
Other Information
Delivery Mode:The course is conducted through seminars with an emphasis on interactive teaching aimed at engaging all students in active participation.
Indicative Assessment
The course has three pieces of assessment:
- Mid-semester test.
- 2 x 1,000 word short responses
- 1x 2,500 word research essay
- Final exam: a major examination sat under formal exam conditions.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Ten hours per week: two for seminar attendance, and eight for reading and writing. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2958 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4350 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2162 | 16 Feb 2015 | 06 Mar 2015 | 31 Mar 2015 | 29 May 2015 | In Person | N/A |
