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Unit of study_

GOVT6116: International Organisations

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

This unit aims to introduce students to how states and other actors in the international arena cooperate to build institutions as a response to common problems. After completing the unit students should be able to analyse contemporary international organisations to see how they work, whose interests they serve, and to what degree they attenuate or enhance the power of sovereign states.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GOVT6116
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

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Susan Park, susan.park@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Final exam in the exam period
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Essay
You must answer one essay question in assessments in canvas.
50% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2023 at 09:00
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Participation hurdle task Seminar participation
More detail about expected participation can be found on Canvas
20% Weekly Throughout the semester
Outcomes assessed: LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

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: IOs as problem solvers Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3
Week 02 Theoretical approaches to IOs Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 03 Minimising and Halting Conflict I Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Online test Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 05 Minimising and Halting Conflict II Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 06 Protecting Human Rights Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 Providing Global Health Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 08 Furthering International Development Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Promoting International Trade Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 10 Providing Global Financial Governance Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Governing Regions Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 12 Protecting the Environment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 13 Is Global Governance the Answer? Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3

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 Canvas. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • 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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Readings link available on Canvas. The core textbook is available in the library, via zoocal and Gleebooks:

  • Park, S. (2018). International Organisations and Global Problems: Theories and Explanations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

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. independently research topics on international organisation
  • LO2. demonstrate literacy in issues pertaining to international cooperation and conflict
  • LO3. convey complex ideas on international organisations verbally
  • LO4. demonstrate knowledge about the main debates and concepts on international organisations

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 lecturer is committed to making the lectures clearer on the slides during the unit.

Relevant information on the weekly readings and essay topics are avilable on canvas.

Additional costs

‘There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

There are no specific work health and safety requirements for this unit

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.