*The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see
Withdrawal dates explained for more information).
We live in an uncertain era during which global issues increasingly affect our daily lives. Forces associated with globalisation and the rise of international institutions as important collective decision-making bodies have all undermined the sovereign state's position as the key (or only) actor in world affairs. But the world still remains beset with problems: we face threats from transnational terrorism, pandemic diseases, environmental degradation, human rights atrocities, war, weapons of mass destruction, and global injustices that existing international institutions seem ill-equipped to resolve. How should these challenges be met? Should states be responsible for solving new global problems, or should international institutions like the United Nations take a wider role? How should we address other important issues such as the world's economic division into the 'North' and the 'South'; the worldwide problem of environmental degradation; and the continued suffering of people in countries that are beset by civil war, famine, or political oppression?
Amidst this uncertainty, one thing is clear: the way in which we will respond will depend very much on how we understand the nature of world affairs. Is it effectively a struggle for power? Is it an evolutionary process that makes peace and universal justice possible in the future? Is it based on raw national interests, or does culture and society play an increasing role? We will consider these vital questions in this course as we examine both traditional and new ways of examining international relations.
This unit aims to provide students with an introduction to the process, substance, and changing nature of international relations, including a basic knowledge of some key theoretical debates in the field. After completing this course students will have a broad understanding of international relations, which will serve as a useful base for the more advanced international politics courses offered by the School of Government.
FLEXIBLE & ONLINE STUDY OPTIONS Note: Class attendance may still be required
Web supported -
H
Online access to some part of this unit online is optional
Fully online -
I,L,N,W
This unit is taught entirely online
Resource supported teaching & learning -
H,I,L,N,W
Additional resources are provided for your optional use; e.g. audio taped lectures
About Flexible Study Options
TEXTS Information about any textbook requirements for Semester (Winter) will be available from mid March 2010
Information about any textbook requirements for Semester (Sem 2) will be available from mid April 2010
Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.
Campus - H Hobart, L Launceston, W Burnie. Study Centre - V Sydney, R Rozelle. Distance units may also have a campus identifier of I Isolated, N Interstate, O Overseas. Units delivered in Transnational Education (TNE) Programs have a campus identifier of A Hangzhou, F Fuzhou, G Shanghai, J Indonesia, K KDU Malaysia, Q Kuwait or Z New Zealand.
Special approval is required for enrolment into TNE Program units - campuses A, F, G, J, K, Q and Z click here for more information.
Web supported -
H
