POL1SNS
STATES, SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
POL1SNS
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This first year subject is designed to introduce students to the main security issues in contemporary international relations. In Part A we explore the historical context of international relations, focussing on the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. Part B provides students with the conceptual building blocks that underpin international relations, including key ideas like sovereignty and the nation-state. In Part C we focus on traditional issues of inter-state relations and violent conflict, exploring debates concerning great power rivalry, contemporary terrorism, the changing character of war, and WMD proliferation. We also explore new security challenges in the contemporary world, including the concept of human security, climate change and humanitarian intervention. These new challenges force us to re-examine the sources of insecurity in the world today. This subject addresses La Trobe's Global Citizenship Essential, which entails deep appreciation of how we live in an interconnected world, being able to recognize the global context of political issues, and act across cultures and boundaries in international relations.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorKumuda Simpson-Gray
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Core subject at first-year level for the International Relations major in the Bachelor of Arts (ABA); core subject for the Bachelor of International Relations (ABIR)
Learning resources
Readings
Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Readings | Global Politics | Prescribed | Heywood, A. (2014) (2nd edition) | Palgrave Macmillan |
Readings | An Introduction to International Relations | Recommended | Devetak, R., Burke, A. and George, J. (eds) (2012) (2nd edition) | Cambridge University Press |
Readings | The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations | Recommended | Baylis, J., Smith, S. and Owens P. (eds) (2014) (6th edition) | Oxford University Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Critically analyse the main security issues in international relations and the global historical context in which they have developed.
- Activities:
- Research Essay and Policy Brief
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
02. Identify the conceptual building blocks of international relations and use them to analyse global challenges and obligations relating to security.
- Activities:
- Research Essay and Policy Brief
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
03. Recognise the diversity of perspectives on security across the globe and policy implications for traditional security issues that centre on inter-state relations and violent conflict.
- Activities:
- Research Essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
04. Examine the new global challenges of security posed by complex interdependence.
- Activities:
- Policy Brief
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKumuda Simpson-Gray
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
---|---|---|---|
Essay Proposal and Annotated References | 15 | 01, 02, 03 | |
Research Essay | 50 | 01, 02, 03 | |
Policy Brief | 35 | 02, 04 |