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Unit of study_

GOVT4112: Topics in International Relations

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

The seminar will provide a discussion-based setting to examine core topics in the field of international relations such as international security, international political economy, and international relations theory. Students will discuss and debate ideas, and develop analytical and research essays on topics pitched at an advanced level.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT4112
Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jingdong Yuan, jingdong.yuan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Seminar lead/participation
Leading/participating in seminar sessions.
20% Ongoing Throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research Proposal
Developing a research proposal
15% Week 05
Due date: 29 Mar 2021 at 23:00
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Preliminary Findings of Research
Essay
25% Week 08
Due date: 30 Apr 2021 at 23:00
1,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Research essay
Research essay
40% Week 13
Due date: 04 Jun 2021 at 23:00
4,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Two/three students will volunteer or be assigned to lead the weekly discussion, each in charge of two or three readings (depending on the length and difficulty). While every participant is required to have read all the weekly readings, the discussion leaders will be responsible for steering the discussion. Students are expected to have done the weekly readings and fully prepared and actively participate in seminar discussions.

Assessment criteria

20% worth of the total grade for this unit will be allocated to this assignment.

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 to the format and requirements of the research seminar Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 From Classical Realism to Neo-Realism: The Question of Power Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 03 The English School Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 04 The Rise of Conventional Constructivism: A Rationalist/Reflectivist Divide? Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 05 Work-in-progress (I) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Side-Stepping IR Altogether: Some Insights on Power and Identity from Political and Social Theory Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 07 From Liberalism to Neo-Liberalism: Back to the Rational Actor Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 08 Work-in-progress presentations (I) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 09 Marxism & Critical Theory In IR and Beyond Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 10 IR’s Shortcomings on ‘Power’ and ‘Identity’: Post-structuralist Critiques Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 11 Identity, Alterity, Subjectivity: Postcolonial Insights Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 12 Using Discourse (A Theory and Method) & Genealogy To Study the Construction of Identity Seminar (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Class attendance requirements for this unit of study are as per the University of Sydney’s Coursework Policy of 2014 at: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2014/378&RendNum=0

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

Weekly readings will be provided in Canvas and through the library’s e-reserve system.

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. Ability to review and apply key IR theories learned from the core units in the Honours thesis
  • LO2. Identify, both analytically and creatively, where theory and practice intersect, especially with reference to the proposed thesis topics
  • LO3. Identify topics and problems associated with key IR theories and concepts
  • LO4. Demonstrate the capacity to engage in research design (planning document)

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.

I am teaching this unit for the first time and will make adjustments based on student feedback following the survey.

Work, health and safety

Please follow the relevant and regularly updated university policies on WHS matters.

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.