STATES, SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POL1SNS

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This first year subject is designed to introduce students to the main security concepts and issues in contemporary international relations. Part A explores the historical context of international relations and the conceptual building blocks that underpin the international system, including key ideas like sovereignty and the nation-state. Part B brings in International Relations experts to examine contemporary security issues, beginning with traditional debates concerning American power; the rise of China; Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferation; and contemporary armed conflict and terrorism. It then examines new challenges associated with human security and environmental security, which prompt 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.

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Ben Habib

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Global Politics

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Heywood, A.

Year: 2014

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

An Introduction to International Relations

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Devetak, R., George, J. and Percy, S.

Year: 2017

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective
COMMUNICATION - Digital Capability
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Understand the main security issues in international relations and the global historical context in which they have developed.
02. Identify the conceptual building blocks of international relations and use them to analyse global challenges and obligations relating to security.
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.
04. Examine the new global challenges of security posed by complex interdependence.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Ben Habib

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.00 hour tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Essay Proposal and Annotated References (500 words)

N/AN/AN/ANo15SILO1, SILO2, SILO3

Research Essay (2000 words)

N/AN/AN/ANo50SILO1, SILO2, SILO3

Policy Brief (1500 words)Take-home exam requiring a policy brief on one security issue covered in the subject.

N/AN/AN/ANo35SILO2, SILO4