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Unit outline_

GOVT3989: Divided Societies

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit critically examines the role that ethnic conflict plays in national and international politics. Students will have advanced knowledge of nationalism, and close familiarity with current thinking around the role of the ethnic nationalism in particular. This unit will analyse the most influential theories, historical and contemporary, about the role of ethnic nationalism (as opposed to civic nationalism), regionally and internationally. We will consider a range of competing theoretical approaches, concentrating on the theory of a "divided society".

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Government and International Relations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Politics or 12 credit points at 2000 level International Relations or 12 senior credit points from Government and International Relations
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
GOVT2412 or GOVT2442
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gorana Grgic, gorana.grgic@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sascha Nanlohy, sascha.nanlohy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Take home exam
1500 words. Detailed instructions available on Canvas.
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Jun 2020 at 23:59
3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Tutorial participation
Detailed instructions available on Canvas.
10% Ongoing Ongoing throughout the semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO2
Assignment Research essay proposal
Detailed instructions available on Canvas.
10% Week 07
Due date: 09 Apr 2020 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment Research essay
Detailed instructions available on Canvas.
40% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2020 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

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. Written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and reading, pointed and critical analysis of material, innovative interpretation of evidence, makes an insightful contribution to debate, engages with values, assumptions and contested meanings contained within original evidence, develops abstract or theoretical arguments on the strength of detailed research and interpretation. Properly documented; writing characterised by creativity, style, and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a superior standard. Written work demonstrates initiative in research and reading, complex understanding and original analysis of subject matter and its context, both empirical and theoretical; makes good attempt to ‘get behind’ the evidence and engage with its underlying assumptions, takes a critical, interrogative stance in relation to argument and interpretation, shows critical understanding of the principles and values underlying the unit. Properly documented; writing characterised by style, clarity, and some creativity. 

Credit

65 - 74

65-69% (Low Credit) Competent work, though further development needed. Written work contains evidence of comprehensive reading, offers synthesis and critical evaluation of material on its own terms, takes a position in relation to various interpretations. In addition, it shows some extra spark of insight or analysis. Demonstrates understanding of broad historical significance, good selection of evidence, coherent and sustainable argument, some evidence of independent thought. 

70-74% (High Credit) Highly competent work. Evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research, sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context. Engages critically and creatively with the question, and attempts an analytical evaluation of material. Makes a good attempt to critique various interpretations, and offers a pointed and thoughtful contribution to an existing debate. Some evidence of ability to think theoretically as well as empirically, and to conceptualise and problematise issues. Well written and documented. 

Pass

50 - 64

50-54% (Low Pass) Work of an acceptable standard. Written work contains evidence of minimal reading and some understanding of subject matter, offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question, but may have a tendency to paraphrase; makes a reasonable attempt to organise material logically and comprehensibly and to provide scholarly documentation. There may be gaps in any or all of these areas. 

55-59% (Medium Pass) Work of a satisfactory standard. Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading and research, and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter. Offers a synthesis of relevant material and shows a genuine effort to avoid paraphrasing, has a logical and comprehensible structure and acceptable documentation, and attempts to mount an argument, though there may be weaknesses in particular areas. 

60-64% (High Pass) Work has considerable merit. Written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance, offers synthesis and some evaluation of material, demonstrates an effort to go beyond the essential reading, contains clear focus on the principal issues, understanding of relevant arguments and diverse interpretations, and a coherent argument grounded in relevant evidence, though there may be some weaknesses of clarity or structure. Articulate, properly documented. 

Fail

0 - 49

Work not of an acceptable standard. Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; presentation, grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; submitted very late without extension. The student’s performance fails to satisfy the specified learning requirements. 

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to ethnic politics and divided societies Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 02 Constructing ethnic identity Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 03 Incentives for ethnopolitical action – beyond greed and grievance? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Capacity-building for ethnopolitical action Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Opportunity structures – regime change and institutional setup Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Methods training – paired comparisons Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Contentious politics 1: peaceful protests and nonviolent resistance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Contentious politics 2: Ethnic wars, mass killings and genocide Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 The significance of “third parties” 1: bad neighbourhoods, refugees and diasporas Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 The significance of “third parties” 2: R2P and humanitarian intervention Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 From war to peace – settlements and partitions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Managing divided societies through institutional design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Conclusion and recap Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

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.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Minimum requirements for the successful completion of this unit:

  • ​​Completion of assigned readings;
  • Attendance of lectures and tutorials (as per the Faculty Board Resolutions);
  • Full participation in tutorials and evidence of engagement with lectures; 
  • All assessment items must be completed and submitted in order to pass the unit.

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

Detailed reading list is available on Canvas.

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. evaluate underlying theories, concepts, assumptions, limitations and arguments
  • LO2. develop and present coherent arguments when evaluating theories
  • LO3. research using archives, libraries, the web and other sources of information
  • LO4. demonstrate openness to new ways of thinking and appreciate the importance of intellectual curiosity as the foundation for learning
  • LO5. work to a deadline, realising this is an important part of one’s life as a student and in preparing for work
  • LO6. confidently and coherently communicate, orally and in writing, to a professional standard in major fields of study.

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 unit has been offered for a number of years and I have continually worked to improve the quality of teaching materials, learning activities and forms of assessment based on the student feedback. While I have preserved the 'model-building' approach to structure the unit, I have been updating the readings based on the advances in the field, as well as political developments around the globe. Please let me know if you have any specific questions related to the previous iterations of the 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.