POLI 1003 Introduction to International Relations (WSTC)

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700268

Coordinator Chantal Rozairo Opens in new window

Description In Term 3, 2022 this subject replaced by POLI 1008 - World Politics and International Relations (WSTC). This subject will introduce students to key topics and debates in the field of International Relations (IR). The subject will familiarise students with leading IR theories and their explanation of political events, phenomena, and processes which cross the territorial boundaries of the state. Students will be exposed to the interplay between power, interest, ideas, identity, and resistance, in explaining continuity and change in international relations. The unit is designed to provide students with the analytical tools and intellectual frameworks needed to understand the behaviour of different international actors in contemporary global affairs.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Political Science

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Co-requisite(s) Students enrolled in the combined DiplomaBachelor courses listed below must pass all College Preparatory units listed in the course structure before progressing to the Year 2 units

Equivalent Subjects POLI 1002 - Introduction to International Relations

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in Extended Diplomas must pass 40 credit points from the preparatory subjects listed in the program structure prior to enrolling in this University level subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Identify the main actors in world politics
  2. Describe the major evolutions in the history of international politics
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the intimate linkages between 'domestic' and 'international' politics
  4. Show an understanding of the main IR theories and the assumptions implicit in each of these different ways of looking at the world
  5. Identify multiple perspectives on International Relations
  6. Interpret current policy debates and international trends
  7. Evaluate solutions to dominant policy-making problems in world politics.

Subject Content

1. History of International Relations (IR) theory
2. Main theoretical approaches to the study of IR
3. Non-Western perspectives on the study of IR
4. Non-anthropocentric/post-human approaches to the study of IR
5. Key concepts in the study of IR
6. Leading actors in world politics
7. Ethics of global affairs
8. Conflict and cooperation in international affairs
9. The role and consequences of international organisations
10.International regimes, international law, and global governance in world politics
11.Shift from 'inter-national' to 'inter-regional' relations
12.The link between 'domestic' and 'international' politics
1. History of International Relations (IR) theory
2. Main theoretical approaches to the study of IR
3. Non-Western perspectives on the study of IR
4. Non-anthropocentric/post-human approaches to the study of IR
5. Key concepts in the study of IR
6. Leading actors in world politics
7. Ethics of global affairs
8. Conflict and cooperation in international affairs
9. The role and consequences of international organisations
10.International regimes, international law, and global governance in world politics
11.Shift from 'inter-national' to 'inter-regional' relations
12.The link between 'domestic' and 'international' politics
1. History of International Relations (IR) theory
2. Main theoretical approaches to the study of IR
3. Non-Western perspectives on the study of IR
4. Non-anthropocentric/post-human approaches to the study of IR
5. Key concepts in the study of IR
6. Leading actors in world politics
7. Ethics of global affairs
8. Conflict and cooperation in international affairs
9. The role and consequences of international organisations
10.International regimes, international law, and global governance in world politics
11.Shift from 'inter-national' to 'inter-regional' relations
12.The link between 'domestic' and 'international' politics

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Quiz 60 mins each 30 N Individual
Essay 1500 words 40 N Individual
Short Answer 1000 words 30 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Kavalski, Emilian, ed. Encounters with World Affairs: An Introduction to International Relations. Ashgate: Surrey, 2015.