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Technology and Power in World Politics (POLS90051)
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
February
Overview
Availability | February |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will study the role of technology in world politics as a site of political struggle and contestation. It will examine traditional theoretical approaches to understanding technology in International Relations and will introduce students to the range of cutting-edge new theoretical perspectives in the field which stress the inherently political nature of technological objects and infrastructures. It will outline how these theoretical approaches can be used to analysis a diverse range of technopolitical issue across the international system, including the Revolution in Military Affairs, Cybersecurity and Internet governance, the politics of shipping containers and transnational production, and emerging debates around geoengineering and climate change, among other topics.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Gain knowledge of the different theoretical approaches to understanding technology within social theory and International Relations
- Have an awareness of technological determinism, path dependency and their place in analyzing global politics
- Demonstrate how different theories approach and analyze the politics of technology in specific issue areas; how different concepts have different political implications
- Learn how to structure and present an argument in both oral and written communication; the appropriate use of evidence to support an argument; the development of research skills.
Generic skills
Student who successfully complete this subject should:
- Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrate the ability to craft a logical, well-structured, and empirically support argument
- Demonstrate the ability to critically examine theoretical concepts and how concepts are employed in concrete analysis
- Illustrate the ability to employ theoretical concepts in empirical analysis in their own work.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
International relations, international history, political science/theory, sociology (Science & Tech. 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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Essay
| Week 6 | 40% |
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
- February
Coordinator Daniel McCarthy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 24 contact hours: A 3-hour seminar per week for eight weeks from the teaching start date. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 22 April 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 22 March 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 17 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 February 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.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of International Relations Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) 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.
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