Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A minimum of 36 credit points including 12 credit points at 1000 level in GOVT units
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jamie Roberts, jamie.roberts@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Final Exam (1500 words)	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Vlog Students film a presentation	20%	Mid-semester break Due date: 05 Oct 2025 at 23:00	8-10 minute video (eq.1,000 words)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Participation In-class tutorial participation	10%	Multiple weeks	Weeks 2 - 13	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task A multiple choice quiz on the course structure & content. #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 24 Aug 2025 at 23:00	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Long essay Research Essay	40%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

EFT Quiz: a short quiz on the content, requirements, and structure of the course.
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: An in-person final exam of 1.5 hrs 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. It also includes adherence to your tutorial's 'constitution'.

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	Work of exceptional standard Demonstrates high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high level engagement with theoretical issues, innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of superior standard Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of question and ability to critically review material, in relation to underlying assumptions and values; analyses material in relation to empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.
Credit	65 - 74	Highly competent work demonstrating potential for higher study Evidences broader understanding than pass level; offers synthesis together with some critical evaluation of material; coherent argument using range of relevant evidence; some evidence of independent thought, good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some ability to problematise and think conceptually.
Pass	50 - 64	Work of acceptable standard. Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material but tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.
Fail	0 - 49	Work not of acceptable standard. Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling, poor presentation, grammar, and/or structure such that it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or excessive word length; absence of referencing; late submission without explanation.

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

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In the absence of an approved extension, a late penalty of 5% will be deducted from the maximum awardable grade per calendar day an assessment is late. Assessments submitted more than 10 days late will automatically fail, and will not receive written feedback.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introdution: Actors, institutions and processes in IR	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	International Security: Theory and Overview	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	International Security: Artificial Intelligence	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	International Security: Game theory	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	International Political Economy: Theory and overview	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	International Political Economy: The myth of neoliberalism, the reality of global corporate capitalism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	International Political Economy: Global corporate tax avoidance	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	International Organisations: Theory and Overview	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	International Organisations: (I)NGOs	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Global Ethics: Theory and Overview	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Global Ethics: Poverty and Global Distributive Justice	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Global Ethics: Borders and Migration	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion: Disciplines and Diversity in International Relations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

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. Students should note that lecture-based discussions may be subject to the Chatham House Rule and as such will not be recorded in accordance with the University's policy on recording students and consent.
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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Demonstrate disciplinary expertise in international security, international political economy, international organisations, and global ethics.
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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

The unit continues to be refined in accordance with student feedback and changes in the world.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

GOVT2921: Intermediate International Relations

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links