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Unit of study_

GOVT2921: Intermediate International Relations

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the main areas, processes, actors and structures involved in contemporary international relations. The unit is designed to build on the theoretical and historical knowledge the students have acquired in GOVT1621, and develops the students' understanding of the international system. The unit covers three main areas; international security, international organisations, and international political economy.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT2921
Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
A minimum of 36 credit points including 12 credit points at 1000 level in GOVT units
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ainsley Elbra, Ainsley.Elbra@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
Final Exam (1500 words)
30% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Participation Tutorial Participation
In-class tutorial participation
10% Multiple weeks Weeks 2 - 13
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Student-led Multimedia Assessment
Student-led Multimedia Assignment
20% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2023 at 23:59
8-10 minute video (eq.1,000 words)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Long essay
Research Essay
40% Week 12
Due date: 19 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Multimedia task: An 8-10 minute vlog outlining an issue of importance in IR, accompanied by a reference list.
  • Long essay: one long essay consisting of a maximum of 2,000 words on any of the four IR sub-diciplines covered in this course. You may not choose the same topic as you did for the short essay.
  • End of Semester Assessment: A take home exam of 24 hours duration will be held during the official university exam period, it will consist of 1,500 words.
  • Participation: your assessment will be based on your participation and demonstration of preparation for the tutorial and your contribution to class learning. This involves reading, summarising and thinking about the reading material for each week’s tutorial in order to participate in the tutorials.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 Introdution: Actors, institutions and processes in IR Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 02 Module I - International Security: Overview, theory and concepts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 03 International Security: 9/11 before and after Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 04 International Security: Terrorism Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 05 Module II - International Organisations: Overview, theory and concepts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 06 International Organisations: (I)NGOs Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 07 International Organisations: Regional Organisations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 08 Module III - International Political Economy: Theory and overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 09 IPE: Case Sutdy II Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 10 IPE: Who's in charge? The relationship between MNCs and the state Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 11 Writing skills Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 12 Round table Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 13 Review and exam preparation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6

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.

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. Identify the ethical dilemmas confronting policy makers in the international system as well as evaluate the different dynamics involved in different domains of activity.
  • LO3. Construct a reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement.
  • LO4. Analyse the use and value of primary research in the discipline of international relations.
  • LO5. Compare different understandings of global political events and assess the merits of them using relevant evidence across different issue areas.
  • LO6. Discuss fundamental issues in politics with others in a constructive and analytical way.

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.

Feedback from 2022 version of this unit has been used to refine assessment tasks and content.

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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