• Class Number 3509
  • Term Code 2930
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Dong Wook Kim
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Dong Wook Kim
    • Dr Jana von Stein
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 25/02/2019
  • Class End Date 31/05/2019
  • Census Date 31/03/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 04/03/2019
  • TUTOR
    • Aaron Tang
    • Courteney O'Connor
    • Dinara Pisareva
    • Bermond Saint Olave Scoggins
SELT Survey Results

This course examines the nature and place of international organisations in world politics. Attention is given to why international organisations were formed, how they operate, and what role they play in contemporary international affairs. The course begins with a survey of different theoretical approaches to understanding and explaining international organisations. Attention is then turned to a series of institutional groupings to look at the United Nations system, economic organisations, security, development, and the environment. Throughout, the course considers how new configurations of global power are changing the landscape of international organisations.

Learning Outcomes

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

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
  1. understand different theories of international organisations;
  2. analyse strengths and weaknesses of different international organisations;
  3. apply theories of international organisation to specific case studies;
  4. write critically about research; and
  5. relate issues and processes to current affairs and present-day issues of significance.

Additional Course Costs

Besides one required textbook, there are no additional costs associated with this course.

Examination Material or equipment

Details about the material or equipment that is permitted in an examination room will be outlined during the semester and on the course’s Wattle site.

Required Resources

The following textbook is required and should be available for purchase at the campus bookstore. In addition, the ANU library system has obtained copies for students who do not wish to purchase their own copy.

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018).

A number of articles and book chapters are also required and can be downloaded from Wattle, along with supplementary recommended readings.

There are a number of other textbooks that may also be of use.

Paul Diehl (ed), The Politics of Global Governance: International Organizations in an Interdependent World, Third Edition (Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2005).

Margaret Karns and Karen Mingst, International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, Second Edition (Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2010).

Thomas G. Weiss, David P. Forsythe, Roger A. Coate, and Kelly-Kate Pease, The United Nations and Changing World Politics, Seventh Edition (Boulder: Westview Press, 2013).

Thomas G. Weiss and Rorden Wilkinson (eds), International Organisation and Global Governance (Oxon: Routledge, 2014).

Thomas G. Weiss and Ramesh Thakur, Global Governance and the UN: An Unfinished Journey (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2010).

A large number of journals and periodicals exist that include the cutting edge developments of the discipline. Being familiar with these sources and surveying at least some of them regularly will assist you in this course.

American Political Science Review

International Studies Perspectives

American Journal of Political Science

International Studies Quarterly

Australian Journal of International Affairs

International Studies Review

Chinese Journal of International Politics

Journal of Conflict Resolution

European Journal of International Relations

Millennium

Foreign Affairs

Review of International Studies

Foreign Policy

Review of International Organizations

Global Governance

Security Studies

International Affairs

Survival

International Organization

Third World Quarterly

International Security

World Politics  

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

  • Tutorials offer immediate feedback on your ideas and your understanding of course materials.
  • Tutors are available to provide feedback on your essay plans prior to its due date.
  • Your examiners will provide written feedback on your essay on Wattle.

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.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.


?Course Logistics

 

Lectures and lecturer-created video will be recorded using the Echo360 platform. Each recording should be available on Wattle after each class. However, we cannot guarantee the integrity of the recording, meaning that while attendance at lectures is not compulsory, it is the only way to ensure you receive the full benefit of the lecture. For example, in S2 2016, a technical error caused the loss of an entire lecture.

 

Please note (1) that due to copyright issues, you are required not to circulate the lecture recordings beyond the ANU; and (2) depending on the focus of the course, the audio-visual materials we will watch in class may contain graphic and/or disturbing images.

 

Please note that a weekly online Q&A forum will be run on Wattle from 10:05 am to 10:55 am on Tuesdays in Weeks 2-12. Your online forum participation is neither compulsory nor graded, but it will give you additional opportunity to ask questions about the course. The forum contents will not be preserved. Yet, those pertaining to all the students will be shared via Wattle posts, if need be.

 

You are expected to arrive to class on time, as late arrivals are disruptive to your fellow students. Please note that the use of mobile phones, including text messaging, is strictly prohibited in class. Please do not use your laptop computer during class for non-class activities (for example, email or web-surfing unrelated to class) because it detracts from your fellow students’ learning experience.

 



Extensions and penalties

 

As Wattle is the only acceptable way that you can submit your research paper, you do not need to hand in a hard copy of your research paper assessment. Your submission will be determined by the time at which your paper arrives in the dropbox as marked by Wattle Turnitin. Uploading a wrong paper (for example, a paper for a different course than ours) is no submission and will result in zero for a given assignment. It is your responsibility to ascertain that your assessment has been properly uploaded at Wattle.

 

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.

 

There will be no extensions granted other than those consistent with University policy. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before the due date. That is, you must contact your course conveners via email before 2pm, Monday 1 April for the Theoretical Memo, and before 2pm, Monday 13 May for the Research Paper. Also, you must provide a course convener with appropriate verifying documentation at the time of your request. 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. Note that in case you might request a second extension after receiving the initial extension, the same ANU policy on extensions will apply to your case: you must contact your course convener before your extended due date expires and with appropriate updated documentation at the time of your second request. Please note that the maximum length of extension granted will be limited by the School’s policy on extensions.

 

Late submission of assessment will be accepted with the following penalty per the ANU’s Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. 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 following the due date.

 

Note that you have almost the entire semester to work on your research paper. Thus, time management is your responsibility.




Academic Integrity

 

Academic misconduct can seriously jeopardize your academic career, your future, and, if you are an international student, your ability to stay in Australia to study. It is the responsibility of each individual student to ensure that:

 

·        they are familiar with the expectations for academic honesty both in general, and in the specific context of particular disciplines or courses

·        work submitted for assessment is genuine and original

·        appropriate acknowledgement and citation is given to the work of others

·        they do not knowingly assist other students in academically dishonest practice.

 

Please note that we have zero tolerance for academic dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication/submission of work that is not original, and recycling. Academic dishonesty will be punished by disciplinary action at the University level. For more details on the ANU’s Academic Misconduct Rules and what constitutes a breach of these rules, please see: https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L01785 (Academic Misconduct Rules 2014),

http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/academic-honesty-plagiarism (Academic honesty & plagiarism), and

http://drss.anu.edu.au/asqo/breaches.php (What is a breach?). Specifically, the ANU defines plagiarism as follows:

 

“Plagiarism is copying, paraphrasing or summarising, without appropriate acknowledgement, the words, ideas, scholarship and intellectual property of another person. This remains plagiarism whether or not it is with the knowledge or consent of that other person. Plagiarism has also taken place when direct use of others' words is not indicated, for example by inverted commas or indentation, in addition to appropriate citation of the source (emphasis added).”

 

It must be noted that intention does not matter for determining whether plagiarism has occurred: Whether intentional or not, plagiarism is plagiarism and, if the end result of your writing constitutes plagiarism, it will be punished as such. Also, please note that self-plagiarism (that is, reusing, in whole or in part, one’s own previous work for our course assignments) is plagiarism and will be punished equally. As the guideline for avoiding plagiarism in all your course assignments, you must refer to the section, “Successful vs. unsuccessful paraphrases,” which is available at the following webpage https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/quotingsources/. This resource is also available at the end of the PDF version of this course outline on Wattle.




COURSE OUTLINE

 

(WEEK 1) February 25: Introduction and Course Overview          

 

Required reading (42 pages)

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), Chapter 1 (14 pages).

Stephen Kotkin, “Realist World: The Players Change, but the Game Remains”, Foreign Affairs 97: 10 (2018), pp. 10-15 (5 pages).

Daniel Deudney and John Ikenberry, “Liberal World: The Resilient Order”, Foreign Affairs 97: 10 (2018), pp. 16-24 (8 pages).

Amy Chua, “Tribal World: Group Identity is All”, Foreign Affairs 97: 10 (2018), pp. 25-33 (8 pages).

Henry Farrell, Good Writing in Political Science: An Undergraduate Student’s Short Illustrated Primer (2010), Unpublished manuscript at George Washington University, pp. 1-7 (7 pages).

 

Recommended reading (16 pages)

Robin Varghese, “Marxist World: What Did You Expect from Capitalism?” Foreign Affairs 97: 10 (2018), pp. 34-42 (8 pages).

Joshua Busby, “Warming World: Why Climate Change Matters More than Anything Else” Foreign Affairs 97: 10 (2018), pp. 49-57 (8 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 2) March 4: Realist Approach to International Organisations

                       

Required reading (46 pages)

Lloyd Gruber, Ruling the World: Power Politics and the Rise of Supranational Institutions (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000), Chapter 1 and 10 (38 pages).

Randall W. Stone, “The Political Economy of IMF Lending in Africa,” American Political Science Review 98: 4 (2004), pp. 577-591 [ONLY READ pp. 577-580 and conclusion p. 590] (5 of 15 pages).

Dilsher Dhillon, “Pakistan has declined an IMF bailout after securing help from China and Arab countries,” Business Insider India, 14 January 2019 (3 pages). Available at: https://www.businessinsider.in/pakistan-has-declined-an-imf-bailout-after-securing-help-from-china-and-arab-countries/articleshow/67526393.cms

 

Recommended reading (92 pages)

 

Andrew M. Colman, Game Theory and its Applications in the Social and Biological Sciences, Second Edition (London: Routledge, 1999), only pp. 110 paragraph 2-111 paragraph 1, 115-118 (5 pages).

Stephen Van Evera, Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1997), “Chapter 1. Hypotheses, Laws, and Theories: A User’s Guide,” pp. 7-48 (42 pages)

John J. Mearsheimer, “The False Promise of International Institutions,” International Security 19: 3 (1994-1995), pp. 5-49 (45 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 3) March 11 (Public Holiday but Online Lecture via Wattle): Neoliberal Institutionalist Approach to International Organisations

 

Required reading (46 pages)

Paul R. Milgrom, Douglass C. North, and Barry R. Weingast, “The Role of Institutions in the Revival of Trade: The Law Merchant, Private Judges, and the Champagne Fairs,” Economics and Politics 2: 1 (1990), pp. 1-23 [ONLY READ pp. 1-6; skim pp. 6-10, and read conclusion pp. 18-21] (10 of 23 pages).

Robert O. Keohane, “The Demand for International Regimes,” International Organization 36: 2 (1982), pp. 325-355 (31 pages).

John Campbell, “WTO Rules: What Happens if There’s a No-Deal Brexit?” BBC 16 January 2019 (~5 pages). Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46892372


Recommended reading – Category 1 (29 pages)

Robert Axelrod and Robert Keohane, “Achieving Cooperation Under Anarchy: Strategies and Institutions”, World Politics 38: 1 (1985), pp. 226-254 (29 pages).


Recommended reading – Category 2 (59 pages)

Kenneth W. Abbott and Duncan Snidal, “Why States Act through Formal International Organizations”, Journal of Conflict Resolution 42: 1 (1998), pp. 3-32 (30 pages).

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), Chapter 2 (22 pages).

Robert Keohane, "Neo-Liberal Institutionalism: A Perspective on World Politics," in Keohane, ed. International Institutions and State Power (1989), pp. 1-7. (7 pages) 

Olson, Mancur. “A Theory of Groups and Organizations”, in The Logic of Collective Action. Cambridge: Harvard University Press (1965).

 

 

(WEEK 4) March 18: The United Nations System

 

Required reading (64 pages)

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), Chapter 3 (30 pages).

Ian Johnstone, “The Role of the UN Secretary-General: The Power of Persuasion Based on Law,” Global Governance 9: 4 (2003), pp. 441-458 (18 pages). 

Franz Baumann, “United Nations Management—An oxymoron?” Global Governance 22:4 (2016), pp. 461-472 (12 pages). 

Eric Rosand, “Why Trump needs the United Nations”, Brookings Institution, 11 January 2017 (2 pages). Available at: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2017/01/11/why-trump-needs-the-united-nations 

‘Proving our worth through action’: 5 things Guterres wants the UN to focus on in 2019, UN News, 16 January 2019 (~2 pages). Available at https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/01/1030592

 

Recommended reading (64 pages)

Bruce W. Jentleson “Global Governance, the United Nations, and the Challenge of Trumping Trump”, Global Governance 23: 2 (2017), pp. 143-149 (7 pages).

The Charter of the United Nations. 1945. Excerpts at the end of Hurd, Chapter 5 (7 pages). 

Inis Claude, “Collective Legitimization as a Political Function of the UN,” International Organization 20: 3 (1966), pp. 367-379 (13 pages).

Thomas Weiss, “The feudal system, or dysfunctional family,” in What’s wrong with the United Nations and how to fix it, Second Edition (Cambridge: Polity, 2012), Chapter 3, pp. 73-110 (37 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 5) March 25: Constructivist Approach to International Organisations

                       

Required reading (48 pages)

Christopher Hemmer and Peter J. Katzenstein, “Why is There No NATO in Asia? Collective Identity, Regionalism, and the Origins of Multilateralism,” International Organization 56: 3 (2002), pp. 575-607 (28 pages).

Michael N. Barnett and Martha Finnemore, “The Power, Politics, and Pathologies of International Organizations,” International Organization 53: 4 (1998), pp. 699-727 [ONLY READ pp. 699-715 paragraph 1, 726-727] (17 of 29 pages).

The Economist, “The limits of soft cultural power,” The Economist, 10 September 2009 (3 pages). Available at: http://www.economist.com/node/14428543

 

Recommended reading (48 pages)

Robert O. Keohane, “International Institutions: Two Approaches,” International Studies Quarterly 32: 4 (1988), pp. 379-396 (15 pages).

Martha Finnemore, “International Organizations as Teachers of Norms: The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and Science Policy,” International Organization 47: 4 (1993), pp. 565-597 (33 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 6) April 1: The United Nations and Development

 

Required reading (59 pages)

Digambar Bhouraskar, United Nations Development Aid: A Study in History and Politics (New Delhi: Academic Foundation, 2007), Preface, Chapters 8 and 9 (26 pages)

John W. McArthur, “The Origins of the Millennium Development Goals,” SAIS Review of International Affairs 34: 2 (2014), pp. 5-24 (20 pages).

William Easterly, “The Cartel of Good Intentions,” Foreign Policy 131 (2002), pp. 40-49 (9 pages).

John McArthur and Krista Rasmussen, “How successful were the millennium development goals?” The Guardian, 30 March 2017 (2 pages). Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/mar/30/how-successful-were-the-millennium-development-goals

Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah, “Warm and cuddly global goals? The international community must get real,” The Guardian, 5 December 2017 (2 pages). Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/working-in-development/2017/dec/05/warm-and-cuddly-global-goals-sdgs-international-community-has-to-get-real

 

Recommended reading (50 pages)

 

United Nations, The Millennium Development Goals Report 2015: Summary (New York: United Nations, 2015) (11 pages).

Martha Finnemore, “Norms and Development: The World Bank and Poverty,” in National Interests in International Society (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1996), Chapter 4, pp. 89-127 (39 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 6) April 1: Theoretical Memos Due by 2: 00 pm at Wattle Turnitin

 

 

April 8, 15: No Class. Teaching Break.

 

 

(WEEK 7) April 22 (Public Holiday but Online Lecture via Wattle): The United Nations and International Peace and Security

 

Required reading (73 pages)

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), Chapter 4 (26 pages).

Thomas G. Weiss, David P. Forsythe, Roger A. Coate, and Kelly-Kate Pease, “Evolving Security Operations,” in The United Nations and Changing World Politics, 7th Edition (Boulder: Westview Press, 2014), Chapter 4 (32 pages). 

Séverine Autesserre, “The Crisis of Peacekeeping: Why the UN Can’t End Wars”, Foreign Affairs (January/February 2019), pp. 101-116 (13 pages).

Michelle Nichols, “US Tells UN it is Comitted to Destroying Islamic State in Syria”, Reuters 21 December 2018 (2 pages). Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un/u-s-tells-u-n-it-is-committed-to-destroying-islamic-state-in-syria-idUSKCN1OJ26U

 

Recommended reading (44 pages)

Charles Kupchan and Clifford Kupchan, “The Promise of Collective Security,” International Security 20: 1 (1995), pp. 52-61 (10 pages).

Mateja Peter, “Between doctrine and practice: The UN peacekeeping dilemma”, Global Governance 21: 4 (2015), pp. 351-370 (20 pages). 

Richard Betts, “The Delusion of Impartial Intervention,” Foreign Affairs 73: 6 (1994), pp. 20-33 (14 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 8) April 29: The International Criminal Court

 

Required reading (36 pages)

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), Chapter 9 (21 pages).

Anonymous, “The International Criminal Court on Trial: A Conversation With Fatou Bensouda,” Foreign Affairs 96: 1 (2017), pp. 48-53 (4 pages).

Owen Bowcott, “Rising nationalism leaves international criminal court at risk,” The Guardian, 29 December 2016 (5 pages). Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/dec/29/rising-nationalism-leaves-international-criminal-court-at-risk

Elizabeth White, “The Changing Dynamics of the US-ICC Relationship,” The Kenan Institute for Ethics, Duke University (3 pages).

Kerstin Carlson, “Gbagbo’s acquittal suggests confusion and dysfunction at the ICC,” The Converation, 24 January 2019 (3 pages). Available at: https://theconversation.com/gbagbos-acquittal-suggests-confusion-and-dysfunction-at-the-icc-110200

 

Recommended reading (17 pages)

Alana Tiemessen, “The International Criminal Court and the Lawfare of Judicial Intervention,” International Relations 30: 4 (2016), pp. 409-431 (17 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 9) May 6: The World Trade Organization

 

Required reading (60 pages)

Ian Hurd, International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, Third Edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), Chapter 5 (28 pages).

Douglas A. Irwin, The truth about trade: What critics get wrong about the global economy,” Foreign Affairs 95: 4 (July/August 2016), pp. 84-95 (10 pages). 

Judith Goldstein, “Trading in the Twenty-First Century: Is There a Role for the World Trade Organization?” Annual Review of Political Science 20:1 (2017), pp. 545-564 (20 pages). 

Ana Swanson, “Once the WTO’s biggest supporter, US is its biggest skeptic”, The New York Times, 10 December 2017 (2 pages). Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/business/wto-united-states-trade.html 

 

Recommend reading (98 pages)

Eleonora Alabrese, Sascha Becker, Thiemo Fetzer, and Dennis Novy, “Who Voted for Brexit? Individual and Regional Data Combined” European Journal of Political Economy 56 (2019): 132-50 (18 pages).

The Economist. “How to Rescue the WTO,” 19 July 2018 (~4 pages). Available at: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2018/07/19/how-to-rescue-the-wto

Judith Goldstein, Doug Rivers, and Mike Tomz. “Institutions in International Relations: Understanding the Effects of GATT and the WTO on World Trade,” International Organization 61: 1 (2007), pp. 37-67 (31 pages).

Helen Milner, “Globalization, Development, and International Institutions: Normative and Positive Perspectives,” Perspectives on Politics 3: 4 (2005), pp. 833-854 (22 pages). 

Sungmin Rho and Michael Tomz, “Why Don’t Trade Preferences Reflect Economic Self-Interest?” International Organization 72 S1 (2017): S85-108 (23 pages).

 

 

(Week 10) May 13 (Guest Lecture but Examinable): The United Nations and Climate Change

 

Required reading (43 pages)

Shardul Agrawala, “Context and Early Origins of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” Climate Change 39 (1998), pp. 605-620 (14 pages).

Mark Vardy, Michael Oppenheimer, Navroz K. Dubash, Jessica O’Reilly, and Dale Jamieson, “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities,” Annual Review of Environment and Resources 42 (2017), pp. 55-75 (14 pages).

Oliver Geden, “Climate advisers must maintain integrity,” Nature 521 (2015), pp. 27-28 (2 pages).

Ishaan Tharoor, “If Trump quits the Paris climate accord, he will lead the U.S. into the wilderness,” The Washington Post, 1 June 2017 (3 pages). Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/06/01/if-trump-quits-paris-climate-accord-he-will-lead-u-s-into-the-wilderness/?utm_te%E2%80%A6&noredirect=on

Mark Howden and Rebecca Colvin, “New UN report outlines ‘urgent, transformational’ change needed to hold global warming to 1.5°C,” The Conversation, 8 October 2018 (6 pages). Available at: https://theconversation.com/new-un-report-outlines-urgent-transformational-change-needed-to-hold-global-warming-to-1-5-c-103237

Sara Stefanini and Karl Mathiesen, “Climate science on 1.5C erased at UN talks as US and Saudis step in,” Climate Home News, 8 December 2018 (4 pages). Available at: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/12/08/climate-science-1-5c-erased-un-talks-us-saudis-step/

 

Recommended reading (27 pages)

Thomas Bernauer, “The Effect of International Environmental Institutions: How We Might Learn More,” International Organization 49: 2 (1995), pp. 351-377 (27 pages).

 

 

(WEEK 10) May 13: Research Papers Due by 2: 00 pm at Wattle Turnitin

 

 

(WEEK 11) May 20: Conclusion and Semester Review

 

 

(WEEK 12) May 27: NO LECTURE – PUBLIC HOLIDAY

 

Note that tutorials will proceed as normal this week.

 

 

EXAMINATION PERIOD (June 6 to 22): In-Class Final Exam: Date, Time, and Place TBA

 

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Introduction and Course Overview No tutorials
2 Realist Approach to International Organisations Tutorials begin
3 Neoliberal Institutionalist Approach to International Organisations (Public Holiday but Online Lecture via Wattle)
4 The United Nations System
5 Constructivist Approach to International Organisations Theoretical Memo consultation tutorials
6 The United Nations and Development April 1: Theoretical Memos Due by 2: 00 pm at Wattle Turnitin
7 The United Nations and International Peace and Security (Public Holiday but Online Lecture via Wattle) April 23: Memo results and feedback returned via Wattle Turnitin
8 The International Criminal Court
9 The World Trade Organization
10 The United Nations and Climate Change (Guest Lecture but Examinable) May 13: Research Papers Due by 2: 00 pm at Wattle Turnitin
11 Conclusion and Semester Review
12 NO LECTURE – PUBLIC HOLIDAY June 3: Paper results and feedback returned via Wattle Turnitin In-Class Final Examination during the examination period (June 6 to 22)

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial signup will occur via Wattle at 2pm on Monday 11 February, that is, two weeks before the beginning of the semester, as required by the ANU’s new policy. This new compulsory policy is based on extensive feedback from ANU students because, with the growth in flexible and vertical degrees and the need to organize work rosters, there has been a concerted push from students for the early opening of tutorial signup. As ANU academic staff, your course conveners are tightly constrained by the ANU rules. Each tutorial session is filled up on a “first come, first served” basis. For the sake of fairness, there will be no exceptions made, even if (for example) you’re on a flight and are physically unable to log on. This may at first seem harsh, but in our view this is the only way to treat all students equally. Students will have the option to swap tutorials if they can find another willing student. Be sure to attend only the session you sign up for.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Participation 10 % 01/01/9999 01/01/9999 1, 2, 3, 5
Theoretical Memo 15 % 01/04/2019 23/04/2019 1, 3, 4, 5
Research Paper 35 % 13/05/2019 03/06/2019 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Final Examination 40 % 01/01/9999 01/01/9999 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:

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.

Participation

A roll will be called at each tutorial by the tutor. If you do not attend, it is not possible to gain participation marks. At the end of the semester, 1 point will be deducted from participation for each tutorial missed after the second (i.e. you can miss 2 tutorials without penalty). Accordingly, if you attend 6 tutorials total (missing 5), the maximum score you can get for participation is 7/10, given the 3-point deduction (and this assumes perfect participation for those tutorials you do attend).

 

Note that if you may arrive late in the tutorial session, it is your responsibility to double check whether your tutor has marked your presence.

Examination(s)

A 15-minute reading and 2-hour writing in-class final exam will be administered during the examination period. The date, time, and place will be announced during the semester once the CASS has determined the details of the final exam.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 01/01/9999
Return of Assessment: 01/01/9999
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Tutorial Participation

Due date: Eleven (11) tutorials will be run in weeks 2-12. Value: 10%

Tutorial participation marks will be based upon evidence of having done the assigned readings, evidence of having thought about the issues, contribution and participation in class and consideration and respect for other class members. Tutorial questions will be posted on Wattle in advance of each week to help guide thinking and the tutorial discussion. Please come prepared to share your own questions and thoughts about each week’s course materials, especially the readings, and to participate proactively in the exchange of ideas with your tutor and fellow students.

 

Important: Tutorial signup will occur via Wattle at 2pm on Monday 11 February, that is, two weeks before the beginning of the semester, as required by the ANU’s new policy. This new compulsory policy is based on extensive feedback from ANU students because, with the growth in flexible and vertical degrees and the need to organize work rosters, there has been a concerted push from students for the early opening of tutorial signup. As ANU academic staff, your course conveners are tightly constrained by the ANU rules. Each tutorial session is filled up on a “first come, first served” basis. For the sake of fairness, there will be no exceptions made, even if (for example) you’re on a flight and are physically unable to log on. This may at first seem harsh, but in our view this is the only way to treat all students equally. Students will have the option to swap tutorials if they can find another willing student. Be sure to attend only the session you sign up for.

 

A roll will be called at each tutorial by the tutor. If you do not attend, it is not possible to gain participation marks. At the end of the semester, 1 point will be deducted from participation for each tutorial missed after the second (i.e. you can miss 2 tutorials without penalty). Accordingly, if you attend 6 tutorials total (missing 5), the maximum score you can get for participation is 7/10, given the 3-point deduction (and this assumes perfect participation for those tutorials you do attend).

 

Note that if you may arrive late in the tutorial session, it is your responsibility to double check whether your tutor has marked your presence.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 15 %
Due Date: 01/04/2019
Return of Assessment: 23/04/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5

Theoretical Memo

Due date: Monday 1 April, 2pm sharp. Word limit: 800 words. Value: 15%

Details of task: Students must write a brief memo comprising the following three components:

 

(a) Select an international organisation that currently exists. (If you select an organisation not covered in the Course Outline you must get the permission of your tutor or lecturer before you start to write about it. Also, you must write about an intergovernmental organisation, not a nongovernmental organisation or international law. For example, the Interpol is unacceptable since it was established as an international NGO, not an IO.) Identify the founding treaty or documentation for that organisation and the number of members as of 1 January 2019. [Note this part does not count towards the 800 word limit]

(b) Briefly introduce the issue domain in which the IO operates, and describe at least one fundamental problem faced by states in that area (i.e. in the absence of an IO). In other words, what could states achieve or gain by cooperating (i.e. working through an IO in that area)? As a corollary, what could states lose by not cooperating? [300-400 words]

(c) Using neoliberal institutionalist (NLI) theory, outline only two mechanisms created by the IO that help states overcome the cooperation problem. (As we will see in class, NLI specifies up to 4 mechanisms – but you won’t have the words to cover that many. Examine what you think are the two most relevant mechanisms for the IO.) This part requires you to think about how you can use NLI theory to characterise the things your specific IO is supposed to do to facilitate interstate cooperation. Importantly, note that you are not providing any analysis of whether the IO actually succeeds in achieving these things – that comes in the next assessment! [400-500 words]

 

Grading criteria: Your theoretical memo will be graded based on the following criteria:

 

(1) the quality of your analysis—this includes both your demonstrated theoretical understanding of the underlying cooperation problem and the mechanisms for states to overcome it, and generally your general ability to execute the instructions; and

(2) the overall quality of writing, including structure, spelling and grammar.

 

Remember – you will need to select a different IO for the main research essay – so perhaps pick your “second” favourite IO to do this task – or even pick something that takes you out of your comfort zone!

Assessment Task 3

Value: 35 %
Due Date: 13/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 03/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Research Paper

Due date: Monday 13 May, 2pm sharp. Word limit: 2,200 words. Value: 35%

Details of task: Using a different international organisation selected for the theoretical memo, students must write an essay on the following topic:

 

“How can the theory of neoliberal institutionalism explain the founding of [your chosen IO for this essay], and how would it explain the organisation’s record of success? How would the theory of realism / constructivism [choose one] respond to these arguments?"

 

How should you go about writing on this particular essay topic? In our view, a useful way of us offering advice is to outline, in advance, an essay structure that we believe can result in a very good essay. Our “suggested” structure is extremely narrow and prescriptive and, if you choose to follow it, you may find this at times a source of frustration. However, that’s the point—this is how we would write the essay, and as such constitutes a certain kind of “feedback”, albeit offered before you’ve written the research essay!

 

Having said that, you are not bound to follow this structure. Ultimately, it is your choice how to build an argument and analysis to answer this question. However, all good essays will excel in the grading criteria specified below. If you choose to follow your own path, you must still seek to meet these criteria.

 

Grading criteria: Your research paper will be graded based on the following criteria:

(1) the quality of the argument including both your theory development and empirical analysis;

(2) the overall quality of writing, including structure, spelling and grammar; and

(3) the quality and appropriateness of the research, including proper attribution and referencing.

 

See the next page for our suggested structure.

 

Course Convenors’ suggested structure

 

(A) Introduction

 

In this section you will need to cover two broad themes: First, why did states decide to create this organisation; and second, what problem(s) is it designed to solve? Introduce your essay by discussing the issue area covered by the international organisation (IO). Why is this issue important to states, and what could they achieve by cooperating? What are the challenges that limit the scope for cooperation in the absence of an IO; in other words, what types of problems is the IO designed to solve and why would states (in theory at least) want to join it?

 

Importantly, in your introduction will look a bit like the work you did in part (b) of the theoretical memo, this time with your second IO.

 

(B) Theoretical analysis

 

In this section you will need to outline the mechanisms the IO uses to achieve its objectives. To do this, specify the formal objectives of the IO and then proceed to describe what the IO actually does in practice.

 

The next part is critical: characterise these activities theoretically; in other words, through what mechanisms does the IO help states cooperate and work together? This discussion will look a bit like the work you did in part (c) of the theoretical memo, this time with your second IO.  However, this section should be longer and more sophisticated than the prior memo – consider all four mechanisms outlined by NLI and whether and how they may operate in practice.

 

(C) Empirical assessment

 

In this section you will need to evaluate how successful the organisation has been at achieving its objectives, and why? The “why” is all-important here. Try to explain the track record of the IO’s success (or failure), and use this analysis to make an argument about the empirical validity of the neoliberal institutionalist approach to international organisations. How good is NLI theory at explaining what we actually observe? The content of this section will obviously be brand new research.

 

(D) Critiques and concluding analysis

 

In this final section, choose either realism or constructivism (but not both) as a competing theoretical perspective, and ask, what are the main criticisms that can be made by the competing theory against your neoliberal institutionalist explanation of the IO provided above? Specifically, are there any theoretical gaps or empirical anomalies not fully resolved by neoliberal institutionalism in your analysis? Does neoliberal institutionalism help counter these criticisms effectively? Why? If not, why not? Finally, what is your conclusion about the superiority of neoliberal institutionalism as the dominant approach to international organisations? Conclude your argument by discussing the prospects for the IO’s future success. The content of this section will obviously be brand new research.

 

Research paper – General Comments

 

The aim of this essay is to demonstrate knowledge of the different theories of international organisations, and connect these theories to a sophisticated analysis of the workings and record of the IO. In other words, you are writing about an international organisation by making a theoretically-informed argument and supporting it with empirical evidence – this is the basis of a good research paper in the social sciences.

 

Additional submission instructions:

·        In case your paper topic overlaps with empirical case studies covered in the course, your paper must demonstrate substantial independent research.

·        Please do not copy any part of the research paper suggested structure that we have outlined above into your research paper (you can use the headings “introduction”, “theory”, etc).

·        Your paper should cite at least five (5) different outside references that are not assigned in the course.

·        A critical book review will not be accepted.

·        As Turnitin does not accept certain file types (for example, Mac’s word processing program), please use only the Microsoft Word or PDF file formats for uploading your paper at Wattle.

·        We strongly recommend you to use the Harvard Style of referencing that employs “in-text” citations (of the author and year, page if direct quotation) – this matches best with the Turnitin software and thus gives you, in our view, the best chance to succeed. You then type the complete citation in a “bibliography” (use the subheading) at the end of your document. Any footnotes (or endnotes) thus do not include citations – they are reserved for any brief explanations needed which are not integral to your argument.

o  Details on the ANU website: https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/resources/handouts/referencing-style-guides

·        Your word count excludes your bibliography and tables/figures.

·        We prefer you use 12 point Times New Roman, double-spacing, and standard one-inch (2.54 cm) margins. We prefer you do not use a coversheet, as this looks like plagiarism on Turnitin!

·        Please put your University ID number and course code in the Header of your paper. Please write a word count at the end of the essay (before the bibliography).

·        Please put page numbers in the Footer of your paper.

·        Please name your file “u1234567 – Name/acronym of IO”, e.g. “u7654321 – IPCC”

 

Some final advice

·        Do not cite any online sources (for example, Wikipedia), except for major news sources (such as Al Jazeera English, BBC News, Reuters, The New York Times and the Sydney Morning Herald) and credible nongovernmental, intergovernmental, or governmental reports. The website for the IO you are studying can be used, but minimally.

·        Articles and books should be your main references. It is perfectly legitimate (and encouraged) to use academic articles downloaded from e-journal databases like JSTOR, Proquest or HeinOnline.

·        Do not include direct quotations unless absolutely necessary; write in your own words. Abuse of direct quotations will be strongly penalised.

·        You are welcome to approach your tutor or a course convener to discuss your paper topic well in advance of the due date.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 40 %
Due Date: 01/01/9999
Return of Assessment: 01/01/9999
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Final Examination

A 15-minute reading and 2-hour writing in-class final exam will be administered during the examination period. The date, time, and place will be announced during the semester once the CASS has determined the details of the final exam.

 

Value: 40% of the final course grade

 

Grading Criteria:

(1) Your mastery of the course materials, including key theories and concepts;

(2) The quality of your writing; and

(3) The quality of your argument.

 

It is the College policy that all exams are blind marked and they are not returned to the students, nor are comments provided. You may contact the conveners within 30 working days of the release of results to learn your specific exam mark, or to request an appeal. The structure of the final exam will be discussed during lecture.

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

Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) a submission must be through Turnitin. Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

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

Late submission of assessment will be accepted with the following penalty per the ANU’s Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. 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 following the due date.

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.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned through the course Wattle site.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may resubmit their assignments on Turnitin once before the due date if they are not happy with their text-matching report. Turnitin allows only one resubmission per 24 hours. There are no other conditions under which assignments may be resubmitted.

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).

Dr Dong Wook Kim
61259551
dongwook.kim@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


International Relations theory, human rights, international law and organizations, transnational nongovernmental activism, and policy diffusion

Dr Dong Wook Kim

Dr Dong Wook Kim
61259551
dongwook.kim@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Dong Wook Kim

Dr Jana von Stein
61255461
jana.vonstein@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Jana von Stein

Aaron Tang
aaron.tang@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Aaron Tang

Courteney O'Connor
courteney.oconnor@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Courteney O'Connor

Dinara Pisareva
dinara.pisareva@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dinara Pisareva

Bermond Saint Olave Scoggins
u5859095@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Bermond Saint Olave Scoggins

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions