AIR242 - Key Concepts in International Relations
Unit details
| Year: | 2023 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2; Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online, CBD* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Peter Ferguson |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1-hour class per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - online: | 1 x 1-hour class per week (recordings provided) and 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
Note:*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery | |
Content
The nature and purpose of the study of international relations is now widely contested. This is reflected in the diversification of theoretical approaches in the field. Conventional perspectives (realism, neorealism), once largely unchallenged, now face both reformist (liberalism, rationalism) and critical (Marxism, postmodernism) rivals. This unit focuses on the evolution of international thought last century by concentrating on the debates and disputes between competing intellectual perspectives. The approaches of various theoretical traditions to the central actors and issues in global politics-such as human rights, war, sovereignty, markets and the environment are a central focus of the unit.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Critically analyse the core features of the main accounts of International Relations theory and communicate findings in writing | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the main accounts of International Relations theory and communicate findings in writing | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Apply concepts, theories and methods used in International Relations theory to the analysis of political ideas, practices and problems in world politics | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Critically analyse the relationship between the history of world politics and the changing nature of ethical and political problems in world politics | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global citizenship |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Reading and Writing Exercise | 1600 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2: Essay | 2400 words or equivalent | 60% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via AIR242
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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