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Unit of study_

GOVT2901: Contemp Issues in Pols and Int Relations II

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is designed to develop students real-world problem-solving skills in a team setting. Students will work in teams to devise solutions to case studies of contemporary problems (e.g. wars, natural disasters, economic and diplomatic crises). Student groups will analyse cases and consider how different problems at both the domestic and international level are framed by interactions between social, cultural, political and economic institutions (including governments, aid agencies, the United Nations and others).

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT2901
Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in GOVT and a minimum of 36 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jamie Roberts, jamie.roberts@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Individual role paper
25% Week 08
Due date: 02 May 2021 at 23:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation group assignment Group presentation
Presentations take place in Weeks 12 and 13
30% Week 12 1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Policy brief
35% Week 13
Due date: 06 Jun 2021 at 23:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Details of the assessments can be found on the Canvas site under the ‘Assessments’ tab.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 The Russian challenge Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 The security-development ‘nexus’ and the causes of conflict Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 LGBTQ rights in the US Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Women, peace and security: civil society and counter-terrorism governance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 Regulating big tech Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 COVID-19 pandemic - the great amplifier or a game changer in world politics? Lessons from Europe. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 The Indopacific Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 Domestic politics behind China’s foreign policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 International education: politics and policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 Populism and foreign policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Unit wrapup Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Researching, writing and thinking at university Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is compulsory. You must attend at least 80% of your tutorials.

Lectures will be live in most cases. These lecture will be recorded; however we encourage you to attend the live lecture as there will be excellent opportunities to discuss the lecture material with the lecturers.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

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 disciplinary expertise in international security, international political economy, international law, and international organisations
  • LO2. demonstrate and apply a deeper understanding of the theories and methods used in the study of international relations
  • LO3. identify the ethical dilemmas confronting policy makers in the international system as well as evaluate the role played by culture, religion and identity in shaping international relations
  • LO4. construct a reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement
  • LO5. analyse the use and value of primary research in the discipline of international relations
  • LO6. compare different understandings of global political events and assess the merits of them using relevant evidence
  • LO7. draw information from basic sources, including digital sources, to provide evidence in support of their arguments about politics.

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.

The peer-review assessment has been removed. Assessment guidelines continue to be streamlined for the sake of clarity.

Disclaimer

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

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.