Great Power Politics (POLS90035)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Professor Chris Reus-Smit christian.reussmit@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines the nature and importance of ‘great powers’ in international relations. While such powers are generally thought to play a central role, significant questions surround their nature and impact on world affairs. What are the sources of their power? How has their nature and influence changed over the past two centuries, as the world of empires transformed into a world of sovereign states? Do great powers have special responsibilities in international relations, and how important is the fulfillment of such responsibilities for peace and cooperation?
The subject has two organizing themes: how different conceptions of power inform different ideas about the nature and significance of great powers; and how the ethics of great power politics has been debated over time. Exploring these themes, the subject examines debates about the changing nature of great powers, and addresses their contribution to war and peace, the construction and reconstruction of global hierarchies (of civilization, race, and regime type), and the development of institutions of global governance. It concludes by considering two recent critiques: that existing debates about great powers are Eurocentric, and that the emphasis on great powers obscures the transformative impact of ‘weak’ actors on world politics.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- 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
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- 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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Comparative essay
| From Week 3 to Week 5 | 20% |
Weekly quiz
| From Week 2 to Week 11 | 20% |
Research essay
| From Week 9 to Week 10 | 60% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Christian Reus-Smit Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: A 2 hour seminar for 12 weeks of the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Professor Chris Reus-Smit christian.reussmit@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of International Relations Course Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - 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
Last updated: 4 March 2025