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The United Nations: Review and Reform (POLS90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The subject will examine various dimensions of the conflict between national sovereignty and international interdependence which impinge on the nature and institutions of global governance. It will extend students' knowledge of the diversity of the forms of international governance, and of the purposes, activities, styles of work and governance of international institutions. The subject will explore the rationale and functioning of existing institutions, attempt a rigorous assessment of their effectiveness, of proposals for their reform, and of the gaps in institutional arrangements. Particular attention will be given to the sources of conflicts underlying their difficulties in making decisions and taking action. On completion of the subject students should be better able to discern the forces operating in global institutions, the means through which they work, and to effectively discuss alternative possible reforms.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Enable gaining of thorough knowledge of the conflict between national sovereignty and international interdependence which impinge on the nature and institutions of global governance;
- Increase understanding of the diversity of the forms of international governance and the means by which they contribute to the international rule of law, peaceful resolution of conflict, economic and social development, environmental responsibility, and implementation of human rights;
- Enable discernment of the forces operating in global institutions, the means through which they work, and evaluation of alternative possible reforms.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- Be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
- Be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
- Be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
An essay to be submitted after Week 5 of Semester.
| Week 5 | 40% |
An essay to be submitted at the start of the examination period.
| During the examination period | 60% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator John Langmore Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 Hours.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Thomas G. Weiss and Rorden Wilkinson (Eds.) 2014, International Organization and Global Governance, Milton Park, Routledge
Recommended texts and other resources
Paul Kennedy, The Parliament of Man: The Past, Present, and Future of the United Nations, Random House, New York, 2006
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Course Master of Public Administration Major Tailored Specialisation Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Major Development Major Development Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022