INR 2000 Issues in a Globalizing World

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

An understanding of international relations, both historically and in the dynamically globalizing contemporary world, is crucial as societies and cultures, political systems and ideologies, and economies interact in dynamic and complex - and often confusing - ways at the different "levels" of the global system. Indeed, the actors in international relations range from individual persons to groups and institutions - with the latter including states and sub-state units, international organisations and movements, non-governmental organisations, multi-national corporations and regional organisations. Across disciplines, as well as across geopolitical borders and time periods, there are enduring coherent world views which shape perspectives about and analyses of global, regional, national and local environments; which portray expectations concerning the future; and which pronounce prescriptions for actions by actors with authority. These views frame long-extant debates on war and peace, poverty and plenty, survival and extinction; and it is essential that Australians understand them in their regional contexts.

SYNOPSIS:

This course, which follows on from courses INR1000 and INR1001 ("International Relations in a Globalizing Era" and "Global Transitions and Human Security") offered in year one, is one of the required courses in the International Relations Major and the International Relations Option Studies program in the Bachelor of Arts program. First, the course very briefly reviews the historical dimensions and contending analytical perspectives on international relations, with an emphasis on processes of globalization. Secondly, it explores the foreign policy perspectives of key regional and global actors. And, third, it puts the fore-mentioned into an international relations framework with a particular focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. It encourages students to apply such analytical perspectives through the exploration of a number of specific key issues that pertain to a variety of "communities" at various levels of the global system. Students are then assigned a more concrete contemporary "issue project" for analytical study and, where practicable, group interaction so as to achieve a fuller understanding about the relevance of such key issues to their lives and to Australian communities. Due attention is given to both the ramifications that such key issues have for Australia domestically as well as their linkage to the pressing concerns of humanity more broadly.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students demonstrate:

1. an analytical understanding of the nature and evolution of "International Relations" as a series of both issues and processes in and of themselves as well as an interdisciplinary field of academic study;
2. an understanding of the nature and evolution of the international system, the practice of diplomacy and other forms of interaction at the various levels of the system, and the major issues of relevance to Australia and its region;
3. Enhanced abilities to write clearly and analytically; and
4. an understanding of the currency and relevancy of the study of International Relations to their career interests and to the broader community within which they will function as informed citizens.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Assignment date will be advised after consultation with students.

2.

Assignment date will be advised after consultation with students.

3.

2,500 - 3,000 words (Max) (See Guidelines for this assignment in the course Introductory Book)

4.

Students will be advised of exam dates when the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this external course. However, it is the student's responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To be assured of completing each assessment item satisfactorily a student must submit all of the items of summative assessment by the due date and achieve on each the minimum specified standards outlined in 4 (Requirements for a pass in the course).
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing the examination and assignments; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks for all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is a CLOSED EXAMINATION, and candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES