POLIS 2114 - Approaches in International Relations
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020
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General Course Information
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.
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Learning Outcomes
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 contentUniversity 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 workshopsWorkload
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 hoursLearning 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 topicSmall 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. -
Assessment
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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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