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Unit of study_

GOVT4604: Advanced Topics in Politics and IR

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit presents a set of four 'master classes' on contemporary issues in politics and international relations. Each master class is taught by an expert in the field, using the latest high-level literature on the topic as a base line to establish the topic, look at conventional and unconventional understandings of the topic, and provide a foundation for students to explore the topic using their own understandings of theory and practice in politics and international relations. At the end of the course, the students will have produced a series of provocative responses to the master class topics, and a depth analysis of one topic of their choice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT4604
Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
24 credit points at 3000-level in the Politics and International Relations stream, including GOVT3601 and a minimum of 126 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ainsley Elbra, Ainsley.Elbra@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task Presentation
In class presentation
15% Multiple weeks 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Literature Review
Literature review for major essay
30% Week 09
Due date: 05 May 2021 at 23:59
2,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Major Essay
Major research essay
40% Week 13
Due date: 03 Jun 2021 at 23:59
3,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Participation Tutorial Participation
Students will be assess on their preparedness for, and engagement in class.
15% Weekly Throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

In class participation to be awarded based on preparation, reading and engagement in discussion.

Assessment criteria

All assessments will be graded as per the rubric provided on the unit’s Canvas site. 

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.

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:

N/A

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 Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 Power shifts 101 - have we been here before? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Recent wave of scholarship - on the rise (or return) of China Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 The known unknowns and beyond Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Free trade and American hegemony: from the GATT to globalisation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 American corporate dominance Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 'America First' and the rise of China Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Student presentations and peer review of literature review Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Student presentations and peer review of literature review Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Forced labour and the power of global corporations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 The environmental costs of development Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 South-south cooperation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Conclusion and essay preparation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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. engage with new issues and topics at a high level, to synthesise and understand complex information in comparatively short periods of time.
  • LO2. challenge existing understandings of complex topics and problems, using a mix of comparative method and theory-led analysis.
  • LO3. employ mixed media to provide effective communication on policy and political issues.
  • LO4. undertake depth analysis to identify under-represented and/or innovative ways of understanding the political and policy world.

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 is the first time this unit has been run.

Disclaimer

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