POLIS 2114 - Approaches in International Relations

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

This course aims to provide students with the tools to enhance their understanding of the increasingly complex arena of global politics. In recent years we have witnessed the rise of new powers, like China, global economic and political crises, rapid technological change, the heightened power of private actors, like corporations and philanthropic organisations, and the growth of non-state groups, such as transnational terrorist organisations. These dynamic political forces have created an increasingly diverse and unpredictable world. The course will emphasise the study of both mainstream and critical approaches in the discipline of International Relations, such as, realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism and feminism. It will also give focussed attention to normative theorising in International Relations, theories of international political economy and emerging non-Eurocentric approaches. By using the tools provided by these approaches, students will be able to make better sense of contemporary trends in global politics. In addition, by studying these approaches, students will gain awareness of the analytical assumptions that underpin policy making and policy analysis on issues of global political concern.

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Course Details

Course Code	POLIS 2114
Course	Approaches in International Relations
Coordinating Unit	Politics and International Relations
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Restrictions	Students enrolled in Bachelor of International Relations
Assessment	Group Work 25%, Minor Essay 30%, Policy Analysis Paper 45%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Elena Spasovska

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the key features and assumptions of mainstream and critical approaches to analysis in International Relations
2. Evaluate the strengths and weakness of main mainstream and critical approaches in International Relations
3. Apply mainstream and critical approaches to the analysis of case studies of global issues, events and policies
4. Identify and evaluate the core analytical assumptions in contemporary writings on global politics
5. Conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources
6. Undertake policy analysis of key issues in global politics with analytically coherent and substantiated arguments
7. Articulate ideas confidently, thoughtfully and respectfully
8. Work as a part of a team in the exploration of relevant content

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,2,3
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1,2,3,4,5,6,8
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	7,8
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	5,6,7,8
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	3,4,6,7,8
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	3,4,6,7,8

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures supported by workshops

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

STRUCTURED LEARNING: 36 hours

1 x 1 hour lecture per week - 12 hours/semester
1 x 2 hour seminar per week - 24 hours/semester

SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING: 120 hours

6 hours reading/week - 72 hours/semester
2 hours research/week - 24 hours/semester
2 hours assignment preparation/week - 24 hours/semester

TOTAL WORKLOAD: 156 hours

Learning Activities Summary

WEEK LECTURE TOPIC
1 Information/Introduction
2 Introduction to theory
3 Realism
4 Liberalism
5 Constructivism
6 Special topic
7 Marxism
8 Feminism
9 Normative theory
10 International political economy
11 Post-western approaches
12 Special topic

Small Group Discovery Experience

Students will be organized in groups of 4-6 students, tasked with discussing assigned questions within their groups and undertaking research-based activities.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

ASSESSMENT TASK TASK TYPE WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
Seminar work Formative and summative 15% 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Group Presentation Summative 15% 3,4,5,6,7,8
1000 word minor essay Summative 25% 1,2
2000 word policy analysis Summatie 45% 3,4,5,6,7

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.
1. Seminar attendance no longer graded.
2. Group presentations - no change.
3. Minor essay - was weighted at 25%, now 30%.
4. Policy analysis - was weighted at 45%, now 55%.

Assessment Detail

Seminar work - Student engagement in group class activities 15%
Presentation - 10 minute group presentation applying theory to a case study 15%
Minor essay - Requires students to present an argument “in defense” of a mainstream theory 25%
Major essay - Requires students to explore a case-study of their choice from two different theoretical perspectives of their choice, one mainstream and one alternative theory 45%

Submission

Essays must be submitted electronically, through Turnitin. The relevant link will be available on MyUni.

The official procedure and form to apply for extensions is: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303

Late essays without an extension will be penalised at the rate of 2% (2 marks) per day.

There is a cut-off period of 7 days (including weekends and public holidays), after which late submissions without a formal extension will not be accepted/marked. In the case of late submissions with a formal extension approved, the cut-off date is 7 days (including weekends and public holidays) from the revised due date, at 11:59pm.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator