AIR242 - Key Concepts in International Relations

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:

2020 unit information

Important Update:

Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester.

Last updated: 2 June 2020

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2; Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online), CBD*

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Scott Burchill
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with:

AIR342

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 - cloud:

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.

 

These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit

At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Research widely

GLO5: Problem solving

ULO2

Synthesise information

GLO2: Communication

ULO3

Argue persuasively

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO4

Interpret questions

GLO6: Self-management

ULO5

Critically evaluate arguments

GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO6

Express themselves in an informed and lucid manner

GLO4: Critical thinking

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Trimester 2:
Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1 - (Individual) Essay

2400 words 60% Information not yet available
Assessment 2 - (Individual) Examination 2 hours 40% Examination period

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 the link below: 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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