Special Topics A International Relations (POLS90031)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2020
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
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
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This subject examines contemporary issues in contemporary international relations and the policy issues they raise. It draws on the expertise of prominent foreign academic and practitioner visitors to the School of Social and Political Sciences and reflects one or more of the School's core research areas and policy concerns.
April 2019: Reconciling America with the World: Globalization, U.S. Sovereignty, and Multilateral Cooperation
Stewart Patrick, US Council on Foreign Relations
This seminar examines America’s ambivalent and selective attitude toward multilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on the defensiveness of the United States toward perceived incursions on its national sovereignty. While such instincts are longstanding, they have surfaced with a vengeance in the “America First” administration of Donald J. Trump. This seminar will expose students to the historical, ideological, geopolitical, and institutional roots of U.S. discomfort with international treaties, organizations, and commitments; trace how the U.S. rise to global leadership after World War II tempered these instincts; and explore the role of contemporary globalization in bringing these anxieties and misgivings to the fore today. Students will examine how U.S. conceptions of national sovereignty have evolved since the founding of the republic, including how these conceptions informed the debate over the League of Nations and the subsequent U.S. decision to sponsor the United Nations and Bretton Woods institutions. In separate sessions, students will analyze how conceptions of sovereignty have shaped U.S. debates about international law; collective security and arms control; multilateral trade; immigration and border security; and international organizations like the UN. The course will assess the consequences of “sovereigntist” U.S. instincts for the United States and global governance, and explore whether less formal means of collective action might help bridge the gap between America and the world.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- be able to demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
- show a good capacity to communicate research in written form;
- have developed the analytical skills to evaluate the core issue of the subject;
- have an awareness of the contemporary theoretical debates in the subject;
- be able to demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research.
Generic skills
On competion of this subject students should:
- develop effective oral and written communication skills;
- display aptitude for theoretical analysis;
- ability to apply research skills to a specific area of inquiry.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Application process applies, please see the additional delivery details for more information.
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
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 20% |
A research essay
| 6 Weeks after the end of teaching | 80% |
| Hurdle requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory for all classes and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours.
Additional delivery details
A quota of 30 applies to this subject and students that would like to be considered for the subject and enrolled in the subject must apply via the following online form:
The application process (online form) opens at the beginning of the semester prior to the commencement of the subject and will close at the end of that semester. After this closing date, the subject coordinator will choose successful applicants based on the criteria outlined below and establish a ranked waitlist of unsuccessful applicants. Preference will be given to students in the final 100 points of their program. Applications after the closing deadline will be accepted only if the aggregate number of accepted students is lower than the quota. This will be advised via email by the subject coordinator.
The following minimum entry criteria will strictly apply:
- These subjects are special electives in the Masters of International Relations (MIR) program, so MIR students will receive priority. Applications from students enrolled in other Masters programs in the Faculty of Arts are welcome but will be assessed only if the aggregate number of accepted MIR students is lower than the quota.
- Students enrolled in 150 and 200 point programs must have completed at least 37.5 points and have achieved a WAM of 70% or above. Students enrolled in 100 point programs are not subject to this criterion.
- Applicants will be required to provide a brief explanation of their reasons for choosing this subject and their case for admittance.
The decisions of the subject coordinator will be final.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Politics and International Studies - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 3 November 2022