INR1000 International Relations in a Globalizing Era

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

An understanding of international relations, both historically and in the 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 organizations and movements, non-governmental organizations, multi-national corporations and regional organizations. 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 action 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, and its sequel course INR1001 Global Transitions and Human Security is offered in semester two of year one, are required courses in the International Relations Major and the International Relations Option Studies program in the Bachelor of Arts program. Both courses, first, cluster the above-mentioned views into perspectives focused on political ecology, political economy, political culture and behaviour, and the problems of humanity; and, secondly, put them into an international relations framework with a focus on Australia and its Asian context - with attention given to the pressing issues, events and concerns of humanity globally. Specifically, Course INR1000 focuses on the evolution of the international system with an emphasis on more recent processes of globalization, and the practice of diplomacy through a critical presentation of three major competing analytical perspectives and approaches, namely realism/states systems, world systems, and pluralism/Liberalism. It then explores two issue areas utilising the historical and theoretical contexts presented earlier, with students being assigned concrete cases for analytical study and, where feasible, workshop interaction so as to achieve a more grounded understanding about the utility of these approaches.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will demonstrate:

1. An analytical understanding of the nature and evolution of "International Relations" as a series of 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 and the practice of diplomacy and other forms of interaction at the various levels of the system;
3. Enhanced abilities to communicate clearly, both in written and oral form, the results of the research and other work they have been assigned;
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).

2008, Course INR1000 Selected Readings, USQ Press, Toowoomba.
(To be purchased from USQ Bookshop)

Baylis, J, Smith, S & Owens, P (eds) 2007, The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations, 4th edn, Oxford University Press, London/New York.

Cullen, A & Murray, S 2007, The globalization of world politics: case studies from Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific, Oxford University Press, Melebourne.
(These texts are to be purchased as a package.)

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Various Internet sources (see course syllabus).

Amstutz, MR 1999, International conflict and co-operation: an introduction to world politics, 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill College, Boston.

Baylis, J & Rengger, NJ (eds) 1992, Dilemmas of world politics: international issues in a changing world, Clarendon Press, New York.

Baylis, J & Smith, S (eds) 1997, The globalisation of world politics: an introduction to international relations, 1st edn, Oxford University Press, London.

Baylis, J & Smith, S (eds) 2001, The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, London.

Baylis, J & Smith, S (eds) 2005, The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, London.

Capling, A et al 1998, Australian politics in the global era, Addison Wesley Longman, Melbourne, Australia.

Goldstein, JS & Pevehouse, JC 2006, International relations, 7th edn, Pearson-Longman, New York.

Jackson, R & Sorensen, G 2007, Introduction to international relations: theories and approaches, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, London.

Kegley, CW Jr 2008, World politics: trends and transformation, 11th edn, Thomson/Wadsworth, Boston.

Leaver, R & Cox, D eds 1997, Middling, meddling, muddling: Issues in Australian foreign policy, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW.

Little, R & Smith, M 1991, Perspectives on world politics, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York.

McGrew, A & Brook, C (eds) 1998, Asia-Pacific in the new world order, Routledge, London.

McMillen, DH (ed) 1997, Globalisation and regional communities: geoeconomic sociocultural and security implications for Australia, USQ Press, Toowoomba.

Nester, W 1995, International relations: geopolitical and geoeconomic conflict and co-operation, Harper Collins, New York.

Russett, B & Starr, H 1995, World politics: the menu for choice, 5th edn, WH Freeman & Co, Boston.

Scholte, JA 2005, Globalization: a critical introduction, 2nd edn, Palgrave-MacMillan, London.

Spiegal, SL & Wehling, FL 1999, World politics in a new era, 2nd edn, Harcourt Brace, New York.

Steger, M 2003, Globalization: a very short introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Viotti, P & Kauppi, M 1993, International relations theory: realism, pluralism, globalism, 2nd edn, MacMillan Press, New York.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Due date of Assignment 1 (Literature Critique Short Paper - 750 words) will be finalised in consultation with students. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

2.

Due dates of oral presentation (Literature Critique) will be finalised in consultation with the students. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

3.

This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

4.

Students will be advised of exact exam dates when the timetable has been finalised. This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1, 2 and 4.

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. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour tutorial/workshop per week.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks 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

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.