World Politics provides an introduction to the major concepts and issues in contemporary international relations. What is power? Who are the main actors in international affairs? What makes some nations great powers? Why does war occur and what does globalisation really mean? Through the course, students will evaluate and debate these ideas in the context of contemporary developments in world affairs. They will encounter and engage with a range of timely issues, including terrorism, failing states, strategic rivalry, global economic turbulence, and nuclear proliferation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify the key concepts that influence the dynamics of world politics;
- understand the sources of these concepts and their historical development;
- use these concepts in order to critically research, analyze, and evaluate major issues in contemporary world politics;
- develop a clear awareness of accepted academic practice -- referencing, citation, written expression, and so on.
- develop skills for research, argument, and analysis in order to to effectively communicate their own perspectives on key concepts and issues in world politics
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:- Written comments
- Verbal comments
- Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Monday, 25 February: Introduction—Lenses and Concepts | |
2 | Friday, 1 March: War, Peace, and Polarity | |
3 | Monday, 4 March: Deterrence, Proliferation, Disarmament | |
4 | Friday, 8 March: International Organizations | Guest Lecture: Ellen Ravndal |
5 | Friday, 15 March: Culture and Identity | |
6 | Monday, 18 March: Critical IR—Whose World Politics? | |
7 | Friday, 22 March: International Law | |
8 | Monday, 25 March: Democracy and War | |
9 | Monday, 1 April: Responsibility to Protect | Guest Lecture: Luke Glanville |
10 | Friday, 26 April: Global Health | Guest Lecture: Jeremy Youde |
11 | Friday, 5 March: Irregular Security—New Wars? | |
12 | Monday, 29 April: International Political Economy & Economic Crises | Guest Lecture: Wesley Widmeier |
13 | Friday, 3 May: Human Rights | Guest Lecture: Mathew Davies |
14 | Monday, 6 May: Environmental Politics | Guest Lecture: Abidah Setyowati |
15 | Friday, 10 May: Migration, Asylum, and Global Mobility | |
16 | Monday, 13 May: The Greater Middle East | |
17 | Friday, 17 May: China, Power Transitions, and the Asia Pacific | |
18 | Monday, 20 May: Russia, Postcommunism, and Revisionism | |
19 | Friday, 24 May: Populist & Reactionary World Politics | |
20 | Friday, 31 May: Revolution, Protest, & the Futures of World Politics |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Reading Quiz | 5 % | 18/03/2019 | 18/03/2019 | 1,2 |
Reading responses (x2, 500 words each) | 15 % | 05/04/2019 | 19/04/2019 | 1,3 |
Literature Review (1500 words) | 20 % | 24/04/2019 | 15/05/2019 | 4,5 |
Essay (2500 words) | 50 % | 16/05/2019 | 04/07/2019 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Participation | 10 % | 31/05/2019 | 31/05/2019 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2
Reading Quiz
A ten-question, multiple choice quiz, at the beginning of class, covering core concepts from readings to date.
In class, March 18
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,3
Reading responses (x2, 500 words each)
Write a critical reaction to the assigned readings for a given session. These assignments should not merely summarize the works covered. Compare, contrast, and most importantly critically evaluate at least two of these texts. Are the arguments right? Do they get anything wrong? What do they fail to take into account? No research is permitted.
Due BEFORE the session for the readings discussed. No late assignments will be accepted. Both due by April 5
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 4,5
Literature Review (1500 words)
The literature review is preparatory toward the essay, and should focus on the same subject. Its purpose is to assess the academic literature on that topic. It should provide the reader with an up-to-date view of the state of research on the subject, within international relations. The should use mainly academic sources (peer reviewed articles and books from university presses), and should be organized to make clear what disagreements or debates structure the literature and indicate how the literature has grown and developed—that is, where there is emerging or established consensus.
Due April 24
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Essay (2500 words)
The essay should develop a sustained argument, in response to one of the questions below. It should have a clear introduction (with a topic, motivation, thesis, and outline of how the essay will proceed), a well-reasoned and organized body, and conclusion that recapitulates the argument that has been made. The essay should use primarily academic sources and should be your own, original work.
Due May 16
Assessment Task 5
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Participation
All students are expected to participate actively in seminar discussion.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.Online Submission
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.Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.Late Submission
No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research Interests |
Dr Douglas MacKay
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Douglas MacKay
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