The Writing International Relations course is an introduction to graduate writing skills focused on the discipline of International Relations. It seeks to develop such skills as how to read for argument, how to construct an argument, forms of reasoning and evidence, structuring an essay, how to conduct advanced research, and critical thinking. It does so through a careful analysis of selected International Relations texts and debates, and through the interactive development of graduated written assignments

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• A basic understanding of the nature of the discipline of political science and international relations and where it fits in relation to other social sciences
• The acquisition of the necessary skills for advanced academic writing in international relations at graduate level
• An understanding of critical thinking, forms of reasoning and debate
• An appreciation of advanced research methods in international relations
• An understanding of a major current international relations debate

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	Seminar 1 - Introduction: Overview and Academic Expectations
2	Seminar 2 – Introducing the Discipline of International Relations
3	Seminar 3 – Means and Methods: International Relations as a Social Science
4	Seminar 4 - Introducing Human Rights: The International System
5	Seminar 5 – Introducing Human Rights: Historical Analysis
6	Seminar 6 – Introducing Human Rights: Ethical Analysis
7	Seminar 7 – Human Rights, Peace and Conflict
8	Seminar 8 – Human Rights, Democracy and Dictatorship
9	Seminar 9 - Colonialism, Post-Colonialism and Human Rights
10	Seminar 10 – Women’s Rights Violations, Gender and Feminism
11	Seminar 11 - The Rights of Refugees and Internally Displaced People
12	Seminar 12 - The Future of Human Rights

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Critical Reading Task. (Due Date: Sunday 1st September). 15%. Submitted through Wattle.	30 %	01/09/2019	15/09/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Essay Plan (Due Date: Sunday 15th September 23:55) - 15%. Submitted through Wattle. 1500 words.	30 %	15/09/2019	19/09/2019	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Essay (Due date: Sunday 3rd October, 23.55) - 30%. Submitted through Wattle. 3000 words.	40 %	03/10/2019	17/10/2019	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

Critical Reading Task. (Due Date: Sunday 1st September). 15%. Submitted through Wattle.

You will be required to write your critical readings on the three texts from your Resource Pack. The aim of the critical reading is not to simply say what the three texts are about. Instead you must identify key debates, why those debates are important for the essay question and what your opinion is and why. What is the most important debates in the readings? What is your critical opinion on those debates? 500 words per text. Total 1500 words.

Assessment Task 2

Essay Plan (Due Date: Sunday 15th September 23:55) - 15%. Submitted through Wattle. 1500 words.

An essay plan is a short piece of work that provides a detailed overview of your first attempt at responding to the question set. An essay plan should clearly indicate what your argument is, and how you are going to investigate that claim. In the past students have written a full introduction that outlines their overall argument and essay structure and conclusion and sketched out in bullet points their main paragraphs (what resources to use, what argument is being developed). Include quotes, authors and sources, as well as indicate what your interpretation of those is.

Assessment Task 3

Essay (Due date: Sunday 3rd October, 23.55) - 30%. Submitted through Wattle. 3000 words.

The essay is the culmination of your research project. It is where you must expand, deepen and refine your arguments from your essay plan and short essay into a single high-quality essay.

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. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded. OR 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