INR 4010 International Relations: Guided Topics

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

As a multicultural society with a predominantly European tradition, Australia is currently challenged to re-assess and re-define its regional identity globally and in Asia and the Pacific, and to become more sensitive to the cultures and aspirations of their own and other societies. International Relations is a key discipline in this process. This course has been designed to enhance individuals' capacities to assume informed and responsible roles in their social and professional lives in Australia and in the wider world. It does so in terms of further developing their broad Social Science-based knowledge, their familiarity with relevant theoretical perspectives of International Relations, and their analytical and communicative skills.

SYNOPSIS:

Drawing upon frameworks from the Social Sciences and based on the discipline of International Relations, starting from an appreciation of the Australian context, the course provides information about, and analysis of, contemporary issues, international relationships and cross-cultural processes. It emphasises the main themes of globality, glocality and human security. The evolution of the "Australia experience" and Australians' evolving perceptions roles and impacts on, primarily, the Asia-Pacific region-and of peoples of the Asia-pacific in Australia, will be examined. Particular attention will be given to the personal and social concerns and skills that facilitate Australia's role in the region, as well as to the personal and institutional linkages that are essential to that role.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. delineate the main geographical, historical and cultural features of the "Australian experience", and compare/contrast that experience with those in the Asia-Pacific region;
2. outline the growth and dimensions of Australian involvement in global affairs and relationships with the peoples and states of the Asia-Pacific region in particular, especially as they provide a backdrop to more contemporary processes and issues of globalisation;
3. identify and explain the factors working towards the growing interdependence of Australia and the Asia-Pacific;
4. display an appreciative conceptual and empirical understanding of other cultural traditions;
5. demonstrate a general awareness of various personal and social skills practised in other regional cultures; and
6. demonstrate a general understanding of the major issues which have dominated Australia's relationships with the Asia-Pacific.

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).

Please note that virtually identical course textbooks and recommended readings have been selected for the course on the basis of their multidisciplinary and critical treatment and broad coverage of topics/issues and theoretical perspectives of the content. However, some individual topics have specified required readings not drawn from the texts but from scholarly publications, journals and periodicals and various government reports

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

In addition to the selected works cited, details of some relevant Internet sources will be provided in the Course Outline to be distributed in the seminar.

Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, March 1998. "Australia and ASEA N: Managing Change", Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Due dates for the Literature Critiques will be advised after consultation with students. Students should consult the Assignment guidelines in the course syllabus in the first weeks of the course.

2.

Due dates for the Literature Critiques will be advised after consultation with students. Students should consult the Assignment guidelines in the course syllabus in the first weeks of the course.

3.

Students should consult the Major Paper guidelines in the course syllabus in the first weeks of semester.

4.

Students will be advised of the official exam date after the timetable has been finalised. Students should consult the examination guidelines in the course syllabus in the first weeks of the course.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and 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 complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
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