School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to International Relations: The World into the 21st Century
  • Unit Code

    POL1105
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Genevieve Ruth HOHNEN

Description

This unit examines the ways in which the international relations system operates. The range of issues confronting global politics is profound: the rise of ethnic conflict and terrorism; the emergence of the global economy and its stability and fairness; the threat of nuclear proliferation and the quest for cooperation over climate change are just some of the notable examples. The unit introduces the major theories, participants, institutions and processes associated with international relations.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the contribution of various participants and institutions.
  2. Apply various theories and concepts to current affairs.
  3. Evaluate media coverage of current affairs.
  4. Examine the forces shaping the international political system.

Unit Content

  1. Key actors/institutions in international relations: the United Nations, non-government agencies, G-20, World Bank, IMF, World Trade Organisation, International Criminal Court.
  2. Key concepts in international relations: sovereignty, the nation state, nationalism, security, globalisation.
  3. Key processes in international relations: war, foreign policy, diplomacy, international law, humanitarian intervention.
  4. Key theories in international relations: realism, liberalism, Marxist theories, social constructivism.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, class presentations, Internet research, essay writing, documentary analysis.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
ExaminationExamination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
EssayEssay50%

Core Reading(s)

  • Mingst, K. (2011). Essentials of international relations. (5th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL1105|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to International Relations: The World into the 21st Century
  • Unit Code

    POL1105
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Genevieve Ruth HOHNEN

Description

This unit examines the ways in which the international relations system operates. The range of issues confronting global politics is profound: the rise of ethnic conflict and terrorism; the emergence of the global economy and its stability and fairness; the threat of nuclear proliferation and the quest for cooperation over climate change are just some of the notable examples. The unit introduces the major theories, participants, institutions and processes associated with international relations.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the contribution of various participants and institutions.
  2. Apply various theories and concepts to current affairs.
  3. Evaluate media coverage of current affairs.
  4. Examine the forces shaping the international political system.

Unit Content

  1. Key actors/institutions in international relations: the United Nations, non-government agencies, G-20, World Bank, IMF, World Trade Organisation, International Criminal Court.
  2. Key concepts in international relations: sovereignty, the nation state, nationalism, security, globalisation.
  3. Key processes in international relations: war, foreign policy, diplomacy, international law, humanitarian intervention.
  4. Key theories in international relations: realism, liberalism, Marxist theories, social constructivism.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, class presentations, Internet research, essay writing, documentary analysis.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
ExaminationExamination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio50%
EssayEssay50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL1105|1|2