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International Security (POLS90022)
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
July
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | July |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides students with a critical understanding of the changing concepts and practices of security in a globalised and dynamic world. The subject contrasts traditional state-centric, military based, and external-oriented national security thinking and policy with non-traditional, critical, and human security approaches. The subject explores key relationships between: the state, society and security, including in 'failed states'; international intervention and security, including the 'responsibility to protect' doctrine; weapons and security, including nuclear weapons; and considers the particular insecurities of marginalised groups, such as forcibly displaced populations. The subject then explores globalised forms of insecurity including information and cyber threats, transnational terrorism and organised crime, global health pandemics, and the nexus between climate change, natural resources, and conflict.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Have a political, historical and cultural understanding of both traditional and non-traditional sources of insecurity;
- Be able to evaluate national, regional, and international institutional responses to transnational security threats;
- Have strengthened skills in critically analysing different security discourses, including through the 'securitisation' process;
- Develop skills in analysing and evaluating contemporary security policy.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- Apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
- Develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
- Communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively;
- Develop cross-cultural understanding.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-IR Master of International Relations
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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
| Due mid-teaching period | 20% |
Presentation and written summary. Presentations due in-class in weeks 5-8. Written summary due one week after presentation.
| From Week 5 to Week 8 | 20% |
A research essay
| During the assessment 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 |
Additional details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- July
Coordinator Hamza Jehangir Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: 1-hour lecture & 2-hour seminar Weeks 1-8 of Semester 2. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 25 September 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 August 2020 Census date 31 August 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 October 2020 Assessment period ends 25 October 2020 July contact information
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Required readings will be available electronically via the subject's LMS site prior to the start of the teaching period.
- Subject notes
This subject is a core component of the Master of International Relations.
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022