PL1002 - World Politics: International Conflict and Cooperation

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	Discipline of Politics

This subject introduces students to international relations with a focus on international conflict and cooperation. It will focus on exploring why conflict emerges between nations and how nations manage (or do not manage) that conflict. The subject will introduce a number of concepts, such as nationalism, sovereignty, power, national interest, state and non-state actors, interdependence, regional integration and international regime, which are central to understanding world politics. The increasing visibility of international institutions (such as the United Nations) in managing conflict and cooperation will also be discussed. The subject will relate these broader concepts to a range of ongoing international issues, including war and peacekeeping, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, human rights violations, environmental degradation, international migration and refugees, North-South relations and international development.

Learning Outcomes

• create awareness among students about the extent to which they may, as individuals, impact on international events;
• develop students critical thinking and skills in research and writing appropriate to the discipline of political science;
• enhance students awareness of Australias role in the international community;
• introduce students in a more systematic and analytical way to understanding conflictual and cooperative relations among states;
• provide introductory conceptual tools so that students can better understand and critically analyse issues on an international agenda.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Dr Surin Maisrikrod.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); quizzes or tests (10%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (40%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Douglas Hunt.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 10 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.