pol1sns states, secur
STATES, SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
POL1SNS
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This first year subject is designed to introduce students to the main security issues in contemporary international relations. It is divided into four main parts: 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 the 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. Finally, Part D explores new security challenges in the contemporary world, including the concept of human security, refugee protection, climate change and humanitarian intervention. These new challenges force us to re-examine the sources of insecurity in the world today.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorDaniel Bray
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. | BASINGSTOKE, PALGRAVE MACMILLAN, 2011. |
| Readings | An Introduction to International Relations: Australian Perspectives | Recommended | Devetak, R., Burke, A. and George, J. (eds) | CAMBRIDGE: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2007. |
| Readings | The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations | Recommended | Baylis, J., Smith, S. and Owens P. (eds) | 4TH EDITION, OXFORD: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2008. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Written work that demonstrates a broad understanding and critical evaluation of the main challenges posed by globalisation and new perspectives on security
- Activities:
- Take-home Exam
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
02. Written work that demonstrates a broad understanding and critical evaluation of the major debates and policy implications of traditional security issues that centre on interstate relations and violent conflict
- Activities:
- Research Essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
03. Written work that demonstrates a broad understanding of the basic conceptual building blocks of international relations and an ability to apply them to practical problems
- Activities:
- Event brief, Research Essay, Take-home Exam
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Writing(Writing)
04. Written work that demonstrates a broad understanding of the main security issues in international relations and the historical context in which they have developed
- Activities:
- Event brief, Research Essay, Take-home Exam
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDaniel Bray
Class requirements
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1500-word Take-home Exam | 35 | 01, 03, 04 | |
| One 2000-word Research Essay | 50 | 02, 03, 04 | |
| Tutorial Quizzes (600 words equivalent) | 15 | 03, 04 |