POLIS 2128 - Australia Faces the World

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Australia's history, geography and demography have always affected its foreign and economic policies. This course examines Australia's evolving attitude to its relationship with the rest of the world, as well as the influence that the global environment has on Australian politics through trade and investment, imperialism, immigration and international law. The early part of the course explores the interaction between domestic politics and foreign policy, asking whether there is a distinctive Australian political culture driving continuity and change in these areas. We approach critically the long-term alliances with Britain and the United States, and contemporary engagement with the dynamic economies of Asia and our Pacific neighbours, as well as a range of international organisations such as the United Nations. Theories of international political economy are also used to position Australia in the international system and understand recent changes in the openness of Australia's economy. In both the foreign policy and political economy sections of the course, we compare Australia to states with similar population, colonial history and resource wealth. Case studies may include Australia's involvement in past and recent wars, domestic and foreign policy dimensions of terrorism, populist responses to globalization, international environmental issues, and changing notions of citizenship.

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Course Details

Course Code	POLIS 2128
Course	Australia Faces the World
Coordinating Unit	Politics and International Relations
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of level 1 Arts courses
Incompatible	POLI 2128
Assessment	2500 word essay 40%, 1200 word report 20%, 1800 word review exercise (30%), tutorial participation (10%).

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Wayne Errington

Course Timetable

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

There will be one online lecture and one two-hour seminar per week.

Course Learning Outcomes

After this course you should be able to:

critically analyse Australian public policy, in particular foreign policy and political economy.
participate in group discussions about contested concepts with confidence and with tolerance for other points of view.
write and argue about subjective claims in Australian politics using the basic terminology of social science.
navigate the large amounts of research material available in this subject through both traditional academic sources and through the use of information technology.

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)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	4
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2,4
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-4
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	2

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1
Introduction: Between the Great Powers

Week 2
History and Geography

Week 3
Constraints on Foreign Policy Making

Week 4
Globalization and Trade

Week 5
Finance and Investment

Week 6
Security and Strategy

Week 7
Terrorism and Civil Liberties

Week 8
War as Insurance

Week 9
International Law

Week 10
Aid and Diplomacy

Week 11
Nationalism and Immigration

Week 12
Review

Specific Course Requirements

None

Small Group Discovery Experience

During weeks 4 and 11, students will work in groups on policy priorities in Australian foreign policy, identifying relevant sources and making a short report to the class.

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

2400 word essay (40%), 1200 word report (20%), 1500 word review exercise (30%),
tutorial participation (10%).

See MyUni for details

Assessment Related Requirements

None

Assessment Detail

See MyUni

Submission

Submission of essays and reports will be via MyUni.

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.

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