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Unit of study_

GOVT2226: International Organisations

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

International Organisations is a survey of both the range of institutions created in response to various economic, security and environmental challenges faced by states and other actors in the global system, and some of the most prominent theories aimed at explaining them. The unit will be arranged around a series of case studies of particular issue areas, from international peacekeeping, to the regulation of multinational corporations, and the struggle to slow global warming. More broadly, the unit will question whether international organisations are instruments of or rivals to sovereign states, and whether they reflect the hegemony of the West, solutions to international collective problems, or agents of new transnational communities.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT2226
Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
GOVT2206
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Politics or 12 credit points at 1000 level in International Relations or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Government and International Relations
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Susan Park, susan.park@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Susan Park, susan.park@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
Final exam covering all aspects of the unit
30% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Participation hurdle task Tutorial participation
n/a
15% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Short paper- concepts
An analysis of one of the key theoretical approaches to IOs
15% Week 06
Due date: 25 Mar 2024 at 23:59
700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Essay- research
An analytical essay that answers one of the questions put on canvas
40% Week 11
Due date: 10 May 2024 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

There are four assessments for this unit:

A short paper, where you analyse one of the key theoretical approaches to studying IOs

A major essay: choose one of the questions listed in canvas under assignments to respond to.

A final exam during the examination period.

Tutorial participation throughout the course of the semester

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: IOs as Problem Solvers Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Introduction Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Week 02 Theoretical Approaches to IOs Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
IOs as Problem Solvers Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 The UN: Collective Security Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Theoretical Approaches to IOs Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 The UN: From Peacekeeping to R2P Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
United Nations: Collective Security Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Protecting Human Rights Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
The UN: From Peacekeeping to R2P Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 The World Health Organisation Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Protecting Human Rights Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Governing Global Finance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
WHO Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Governing International Trade Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Global Financial Governance Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Governing the Regions Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Governing Trade Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Furthering Development Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Governing the Regions Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Protecting the Global Environment Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Governing Development Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 12 The Future of Global Governance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Governing the Environment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Global Development Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: according to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see the canvas website for weekly readings and the reading list

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate depth of disciplinary expertise
  • LO2. demonstrate broader skills in critical thinking and problem solving communication (oral and written) information/digital literacy inventiveness
  • LO3. demonstrate cultural competence
  • LO4. demonstrate interdisciplinary effectiveness
  • LO5. demonstrate influence.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has changed its assessment content in response to student feedback

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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