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Unit outline_

GOVT1621: Introduction to International Relations

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with a foundational understanding in two key areas of international relations. First students will gain an understanding of the history of the international political and economic system, and the forces, events, and processes that have shaped the contemporary international system. Second, students will be introduced to the main theories of international relations and explore how these help explain the forces that shape international relations.

Unit details and rules

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Minglu Chen, minglu.chen@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) George Boone, george.boone@sydney.edu.au
Jihyun Kim, jihyun.kim@sydney.edu.au
Marilyn Kharkongor, marilyn.kwankharkongor@sydney.edu.au
Stuart Rollo, stuart.rollo@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
attendance and active contribution in class
10% Ongoing N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Early Feedback Task
#earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03
Due date: 10 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 02 Feb 2024
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Research essay
Research essay
30% Week 07
Due date: 14 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Final essay
Final essay
50% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Canvas discussion board posts
10 x 100 words weekly discussion board posts’
10% Weekly 1000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

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

The Research Essay and Final Essay must be submitted in this unit otherwise a grade of Absent Fail (AF) will be applied.

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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: what is international relations? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Sovereignty and the Modern State System Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Feminist Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Postcolonial Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 05 Realist Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 06 Liberalist Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 How to conduct research? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4
Week 08 Constructivist Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Marxist Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 10 Environmental Governance and Protection Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 11 Poststructuralist Theories of IR Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 12 Security and International Development Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 13 Review and Revision: The international system today, problems, prospects and developments Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

 In Semester 1, 2024:

  • Lectures: Lectures will be taught in-person and recorded at the same time. Lecture recordings and facilitating learning materials will be uploaded on Canvas weekly.
  • Tutorial sessions: Students should sign up for one of the tutorial sessions. Attendance in tutorials sessions will be marked.
  • 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

Required reading: Richard Devetak, Anthony Burke and Jim George (eds), An Introduction to International Relations 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2017.

Week

Lecture Date

Topic

Lecturer

1

23 Feb

Introduction: What is International Relations?

      Devetak et al. Introduction chapter

     Devetak et al. Chapter 1 International Relations theory in an age of critical diversity

Minglu Chen

 

2

1 Mar

Sovereighty and the Modern State System

     Devetak et al. Chapter 11. The modern state

de Carvalho, Benjamin, Halvard Leira and John Hobson, ‘The Big Bangs of IR: The Myths That Your Teachers Still Tell You about 1648 and 1919’, Millennium: Journal of International Studies, 2011, 39(3), 735–758.

Laura Shepherd

 

3

8 Mar

Feminism

     Devetak et al. Chapter 5 Feminism

     Shepherd, Laura J. ‘(Why) Gender Matters in Global Politics’, in Caitlin Hamilton and Laura J. Shepherd, eds, Gender Matters in Global Politics: A Feminist Introduction to International Relations (London: Routledge, forthcoming). – PDF will be provided to students

Caitlin Biddolph

 

4

15 Mar

Postcolonialism

Anievas, Alexander, Nivi Manchanda and Robbie Shilliam, ‘Confronting the Global Colour Line: An Introduction’, in Race and Racism in International Relations, ed. Alexander Anievas, Nivi Manchanda, Robbie Shilliam (London, Routledge, 2014), 1-15.

Capan, Zeynep Gulsah, ‘Decolonising International Relations?’, Third World Quarterly, 2017, 38(1), 1-15.

Laura Shepherd

5

22 Mar

Realism

     Devetak et al. Chapter 3 Realism

     Steve Smith, ‘Paradigm dominance in International Relations: The development of International Relations as a social sicence’, Millennium: Journal of International Studies, 1987, 16(2), 189-206.

Christine Sylvester Feminist Theory and International Relations in a Postmodern Era, Cambridge University Press, 1994, 68-99.

Brendon O’Connor

6

27 Mar

Liberalism

     Devetak et al. Chapter 2 Liberalism

     Michael C. Williams, ‘The darkness at the end of history’, Polity, 2022, 54(4).

Brendon O’Connor

Mid-semester Break

7

12 Apr

How to write a research essay?

No required readings for this week

Minglu Chen

8

19 Apr

Constructivism

     Devetak et al. Chapter 7 Constructivism

Frankel Pratt, S. (2019). 'Norm transformation and the institutionalisation of targeted killing in the US'. Enropean Journal of International Relations, 25(3), 723-747.

Susan Park

9

26 Apr

Marxism

     Devetak et al. Chapter 4 Marxism and critical theory

     Devetak et al. Chapter 27 Global poverty, inequality and development

John Mikler

10

3 May

Environmental Governance and Protection

     Devetak et al. Chapter 34

     Devetak et al. Chapter 35

Susan Park

11

10 May

Poststructuralism

     Devetak et al. Chapter 6 Postmodernism

 Lene Hansen, ‘A Case for Seduction? Evaluating the Poststructuralist Conceptualization of Security’, Cooperation and Conflict, 1997, 32(4): 369-397.

James Der Derian

12

17 May

Security and Development

     Devetak et al. Chapter 13 Security

     Devetak et al. Chapter 30 Post-conflict state-building

Sarah Phillips

13

24 May

Review and Summary: The international system today, problems, prospects and developments

No required readings for this week

Minglu Chen

 

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. understand the historical context in which the discipline of international relations has emerged
  • LO2. identify the various theoretical approaches to understanding international relations
  • LO3. apply one or more of these theories to contemporary issues in international relations
  • LO4. effectively communicate an understanding of outcomes 1-3
  • LO5. engage in classroom debate regarding competing theories of international relations.

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.

A 0-weighting Early Feedback Task has been included.

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.