pol1sns states, security

STATES, SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POL1SNS

2018

Credit points: 15

This subject addresses La Trobe's Global Citizenship Essential. Global Citizenship is about learning to live in an interconnected world, including the social, environmental, political and economic challenges this brings.

Subject outline

This first year subject is designed to introduce students to the main security issues in contemporary international relations. We first explore the historical context of international relations - focussing on the Cold War and post-Cold War periods - and the conceptual building blocks that underpin international relations, including key ideas like sovereignty and the nation-state. We then examine traditional issues of inter-state relations and violent conflict, and new security challenges, exploring debates concerning American power, the rise of China, WMD proliferation, contemporary armed conflict and terrorism, human security, and environmental security. These 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-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 TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsGlobal PoliticsPrescribedHeywood, A. (2014) (2nd edition)Palgrave Macmillan
ReadingsAn Introduction to International RelationsRecommendedDevetak, R., Burke, A. and George, J. (eds) (2012) (2nd edition)Cambridge University Press
ReadingsThe Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International RelationsRecommendedBaylis, 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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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDaniel Bray

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 elementComments%ILO*
Essay Proposal and Annotated References (500 words)1501, 02, 03
Research Essay (2000 words)5001, 02, 03
Policy Brief (1500 words)3502, 04