Course Syllabus

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POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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POLITICS 106

Global Politics

COURSE SYLLABUS

  

Course Description

This course introduces students to the study of global politics and international relations, and provides a foundation for the Politics and International Relations course offerings at Stages II and III and in postgraduate study. Topics include the historical emergence of states and the international system, the role of ideas and practices of colonialism and security, and the global pursuit of power, security, order, prosperity and emancipation. The focus is on how international organisations, states and non-state actors raise and address global challenges such as security and human insecurity, humanitarian intervention and peacebuilding, global gender, race, class, ethnic and other inequalities, development and poverty, economic governance in a globalised world, environmental degradation and the achievement of respect for human rights and cultural diversity. The course also introduces a range of international relations theories.

 

Course Objectives

 This course has four key objectives:

  1. Ensure students are able to make competent use of the library and other sources of information to perform research tasks and to define areas of inquiry and research in the preparation of essays and writing tasks.
  2. Ensure students able to conceptualise theoretical problems, recognise the contested nature of international relations theories, and be able to both form and express arguments critically and succinctly through essay writing, tutorial discussion, in exams and presentations
  3. Provide students with an understanding of the key shifts in global politics and international relations, including key events and issues covered in the course, and be able to demonstrate engagement with these.
  4. Help students develop the ability to present arguments intelligibly and economically relevant to the topics being analysed and debated in this subject.

 

Course Assessment

Participation: To succeed in this paper, you will need to actively prepare for class and take part in the discussions. It is important to read the texts carefully, paying attention to what they say and, crucially, what they don’t say. Think about the theoretical assumptions that the author is making and where you stand in relation to them. Have a look at their case-studies and see if you can find any conflicting or contradictory evidence. Even if you are broadly supportive of an argument, think about how it could be pushed further. Tutorials are the best place to discuss the course material, ask questions, address common misunderstandings, and engage with the topic. Full participation in these discussion hours will not only enhance your course grade but also deepen your understanding of the critical issues in international security. While participation is not formally marked, it is critical for you to maximize your learning in this paper.

 

Article Review: The first assignment is an article review and is designed to help improve your knowledge and understanding of global politics and to improve your analytical skills in preparation for the essay and exam. You will be required to pick ONE of the articles listed below and review it in 500 words. Your review should identify the core argument made in the article, the theoretical framework that the author uses and the key example that the author uses to illustrate their point. You should try to weave your analysis of the article into your review and conclude with a brief comment on whether you think the article is effective.

 

You should pick ONE of the following articles to review:

  1. Tarak Barkawi and Mark Laffey, ‘Retrieving the Imperial: Empire and International Relations’, Millennium 31(1): 109-127.
  2. John Mearsheimer, ‘The False Promise of International Institutions’, International Security 19(3): 5-49.
  3. Ann Tickner, ‘You Just Don’t Understand: Troubled Engagements Between Feminists and IR Theorists’, International Studies Quarterly 41(4): 611-632.
  4. Thomas Risse-Kappen, ‘Democratic Peace – Warlike Democracies? A Social Constructivist Interpretation of the Liberal Argument’, European Journal of International Relations 1(4): 491-517.
  5. Anna Agathangelou and LHM Ling, ‘The House of IR: From Family Power Politics to the Poisies of Worldism’, International Studies Review 6(4): 21-49.

 

Book Review: The second assignment is a book review and is also intended to help develop your analytical skills in preparation for the essay and exam. You need to pick ONE book on global politics and write a 1,000 word review. The book must be a research monograph, not an edited collection or textbook (please ask your tutor for assistance if confused). Your book review should introduce the core argument presented in the book and explain how the author justifies their claims. Your book review should also explain what the book contributes to the discipline and assess whether the author has developed a compelling case. You can use these exemplars to get some ideas for your review (example one, example two, example three, example four, example five, example six, example seven, example eight).

 

Essay: You are required to answer ONE of the questions from the list below. Essays should be 1,500 words in length (not including references). You are required to use a minimum of ten academic sources (such as books or journal articles) in addition to any other sources (e.g. newspaper articles) that might be relevant. The best essays normally consult upwards of 15 academic sources. You will receive specific guidance on how to research and write your essay closer to the deadline.

 

Questions: 

  1. How important was the Peace of Westphalia to the formation of the modern international order?
  2. Emerging global powers are a threat to the liberal international order. Do you agree with this statement?
  3. Does the rise of liberal institutionalism reduce the likelihood of conflict between states?
  4. What do you regard as the main contribution of Marxist theories to our understanding of global politics?
  5. How is gender deployed in the justification of war? Discuss with reference to ONE case-study.
  6. Does the discipline of IR need to be decolonised, and how would a decolonial approach change how we think about global politics?
  7. Why is security an essentially contested concept?
  8. Why does poverty remain such a persistent feature of global politics despite the prosperity enjoyed by some?
  9. How powerful are international organisations in global politics? Discuss with reference to ONE international organisation.
  10. To what extent does the international system impede efforts to address environmental issues, such as climate change?
  11. Was the international community right to intervene in Libya in 2011?

 

You will need to submit one hard copy of your essay and situation report to the Arts Assignment Centre and one electronic version via Canvas. Your situation report and essay must have an Assignment Tracking Sheet, which can be downloaded from Canvas, stapled to the front of your essay. 

 

Exam: Your final assignment will be a two hour exam. You will be required to choose TWO essay questions from a list of 12 choices. Each question will be aligned to one lecture, so it is recommended that you revise at least two topics in-depth (three to be on the safe side). Students will be given specific guidance nearer the time together with some mock exam papers to practice. You should draw on your lecture notes and textbook as an absolute minimum, but the best marks normally go to those students who read additional material from the reading list.

 

All students are expected to have read and understood the latest version of the Politics and International Relations Coursework Guide, which is available on Canvas.

 

Students are advised to consult the lecturer and/or the undergraduate advisor at the earliest possible opportunity if, for any reason, they experience problems in completing an assessment. Extensions will only be granted on receipt of a valid medical certificate.

 

Advice and Mentoring

Tuākana Mentoring Program: The Tuākana Arts Undergraduate Mentoring program aims to assist Maori and Pacific students in settling into the culture of academic life. Tuākana Arts has two full-time mentors available to assist you as well as having peer mentors in most departments. The program’s goal is to assist students in achieving academic excellence. The mentors work in partnership with the student to ensure that they are able to achieve to their highest potential. The mentors provide advice, give workshops, and assist students to form study groups. The program also provides a space for students to study.

 

Please visit www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/tuakana for more information.

Course Summary:

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