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Ethics and International Relations (POLS90048)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Overview
Availability | July |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will explore a number of real-world ethical problems in international politics, and analyse the ethical responsibilities of citizens, states, and non-state actors in responding to these problems. These problems focus on ethical dilemmas concerning welfare, justice, and political legitimacy in relation to: political violence; world poverty and economic inequality; international governance; global gender inequalities; migration and refugee protection; environment; regulation of Multinational Corporations and NGOs; and international responses to human rights violations by states and Corporations. This subject will further familiarise students with a range of theories – in particular, ‘consequentialist’ and ‘deontological’ ethical theories, and normative political theories of ‘justice’, ‘legitimacy’, and ‘human rights’ – and help students to develop skills in applying these theories as tools for critical analysis of real-world ethical problems, and for prescribing ethical international institutions, policies, and political actions.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge and critical understanding of key ethical concepts and theories applicable to international relations
- Demonstrate capacity to analyse critically the ethical dimensions of prominent political problems in international relations
- Develop the ability to apply ethical concepts and theories as tools for the critical analysis of international institutions and policies
Generic skills
Student who successfully complete this subject should:
- Have developed critical analysis and creative thinking skills
- Have developed research, writing, and communication skills
- Have developed leadership and communication skills.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that this subject be taken after International Relations Theory POLS90028, or alternatively after undergraduate-level studies in international relations theory, political theory, or applied ethics
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Case study analysis, due by Week 6 of Semester
| Week 6 | 40% |
Research essay
| During the examination period | 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: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- July
Coordinator Terry MacDonald Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 24 hours: A 3-hour seminar per week for eight weeks from the teaching start date Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 13 September 2024 Last self-enrol date 1 August 2024 Census date 16 August 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 11 October 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 July contact information
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.
Additional delivery details
Admission to the MC-IR Master of International Relations program.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
All readings will be available electronically on the subject LMS site.
- 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: 31 January 2024