From where do we get our ideas about the rights and duties of states, global justice, trade, immigration, diplomacy, war, sovereignty, and empire? How have these ideas been used and abused in the past? And what useful ideas have we forgotten that may be worth excavating and inserting into contemporary debates about international relations? This course addresses these questions by examining Western thinking about international relations (broadly defined) from the Ancient Greeks through the Romans, Medieval theologians, early modern lawyers and philosophers, Enlightenment theorists, to the beginning of the twentieth century. In each seminar we will consider the writings of past thinkers in their historical contexts, examining the particular crises and opportunities to which they were responding and the debates in which they were engaged, and we will also consider how their ideas may be of use to us today as we deal with our own crises and opportunities and engage in our own debates about international relations.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the emergence of Western international thought
- Understand the uses and abuses of traditions of thought both by other historical thinkers and in the modern period
- Critically evaluate the significance of these traditions for contemporary debate
- Communicate their views about the history of international thought through assignments and class participation
Other Information
The course is conducted through seminars with an emphasis on interactive teaching aimed at engaging all students in active participation.
Indicative Assessment
- Please note that this assessment is indicative only. The actual assessment for the course is provided in the Class Summary prior to the commencement of the semester in which the course is being conducted and may differ from this assessment. (null) [LO null]
- Course Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Quiz (10) [LO 1,2]
- Research Essay (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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
Approximately 130 hours comprising seminars as well as associated preparation, independent study, and assessment time.
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.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable.
Prescribed Texts
To be advised.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
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.