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Great Power Politics (POLS90035)
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.
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 the politics of peace and war between the ‘great powers’ of the contemporary world. It begins with the realist claim that war is basic to international relations and the attendant argument that peace is merely the period of preparation between two wars. This claim is then examined and critically evaluated through a range of literatures – historical and theoretical – and in-depth case studies of great power politics and rivalry from World War One to today.
The analysis will be informed by a consideration of the nature of the international system – why and when it incentivises conflict – and the internal character of the great powers themselves so as to understand better when and why they choose to fight. Does the quest for security by great powers render other states less secure? Can international law obviate the recurrence of war? Why, despite the evolution of complex international governance mechanisms, do liberal democracies still rely on military force to realise their objectives? Can hegemony be transferred from one state or group of states to another peacefully? Does the nature of autocracy in states such as China and Russia make war with non-autocratic states inevitable? Will rising powers – like China, Brazil and India – become more or less pacific? These questions and many others form our substantial focus.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should:
- Develop a critical understanding of the key issues, challenges, actors, and institutions associated with great power rivalry;
- Develop an understanding of the relationship between state/national character and the international system;
- Develop a critical understanding of the main theories of war and peace in international relations;
- Develop a critical understanding of the debates over why war and peace occur; how war might be stopped/averted and peace restored/maintained.
Generic skills
- 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
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies
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 |
---|---|---|
2 x 1000 word briefing papers (15% each)
| During the teaching period | 30% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 70% |
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
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
Recommended texts and other resources
Kagan, R. (2008) The Return of History and the End of Dreams
Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001; 2014) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics
- 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
Last updated: 3 November 2022