Professor Matt McDonald
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Politic Sc & Internat Studies
This course provides the foundation for future study in International Relations, and will equip students with the conceptual tools and knowledge for analysing and engaging with global change and international challenges. Students will better understand the changing nature of modern international relations. Students will be introduced to the concepts of state sovereignty and nationalism, and different perspectives on the origins of war and peace, the role of international law and global governance, and the dynamics of the international economic system. And the course will explore the challenges of addressing transnational issues in a world of states, ranging from environmental change to disease, poverty, nuclear proliferation, terrorism and refugees.
International relations is one of the most complex and intellectually exciting domains of human social interaction. The study of international relations has traditionally focused on interactions between sovereign states, with an emphasis on why states go to war and the conditions favouring interstate cooperation. Issues on the ‘traditional agenda’ remain crucially important. However, as the world has become politically, economically, socially and ecologically more interdependent, scholars have devoted more attention to a ‘new agenda’, which includes questions previously excluded from the study of international relations. This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and issues associated with each agenda, and to provide conceptual tools for students to understand better the changing nature of modern international relations.
This course begins by introducing students to the major theoretical perspectives in international relations, providing students with a strong background to allow them to analyze world affairs successfully. The course then considers a range of important historical events, contemporary actors, and challenges in the international system, including the sources of insecurity and war, globalization and the international political economy, the role of international institutions and international law, and the challenges of addressing issues such as environmental change, disease and human rights.ﾠ
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please Note: Tutorials start in Teaching Week 2.
There are 12ﾠlectures and 9 tutorials for this course.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to equip students with the conceptual tools designed to better understand the changing nature of modern international relations. The course provides students with conceptual tools with which to engage in the study of international politics and with which to analyse and make sense of current events and associated developments. Upon completing POLS1201, students shouldﾠdemonstrate the type of understanding and knowledge necessary to complete more advanced International Relations (IR) courses. In other words, POLS1201 is an essential gateway course towards further IR studies.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Develop a capacity to critically analyse learning materials, and subsequently apply methods and theories of international relations to understand or examine contemporary global issues.
LO2.
Identify and understand the main actors, structures and processes of international relations.
LO3.
Demonstrate and communicate an understanding of important historical and contemporary issues in the field of international relations.
LO4.
Develop an understanding and appreciation of the cultural context in which course materials and disciplinary debates take place, and awareness of alternative (Indigenous and post-colonial) perspectives to dominant approaches to the field of International Relations.
LO5.
Develop intellectual tools and skills that will make you more competitive in your future professional activities in a variety of fields and positions.
LO6.
Understand, and comply with, the norms of scholarly writing and academic conduct.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Tutorial Engagement (20 marks)
|
20% |
3/03/2025 - 16/05/2025 |
| Essay/ Critique |
Reading Review (20 marks)
|
20% |
28/03/2025 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Major essay (30 marks)
|
30% |
23/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam (30 marks)
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Tutorial Engagement (20 marks)
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
3/03/2025 - 16/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Tutorial Attendance and Participation /18 (2 marks per tutorial)
Tutorial Reflection /2
For the nine weeks of tutorials, students will receive 2 marks for participation for each tutorial attended in which they:
- Arrive on time
- Listen to others
- Illustrate a willingness to speak or participate in class activities
- Engage other students respectfully
If you cannot attend a tutorial due to extraordinary circumstances, you will have the opportunity to make up for your lost marks with a review of the two essential readings for that week, submitted to your tutor by the following week. You must obtain permission for this in advance from your tutor, and it must be due to unforeseen events (not ongoing work or study commitments, eg).
Two (2) marks will also be allocated to students submitting a brief (200 word) reflective note on how readings, tutorial activities and/or discussions helped you understand a topic covered in one of the lecture weeks. An example exercise is available on Blackboard. This reflective piece will be submitted via Turnitin. It will not be formally assessed and no feedback will be provided, but it will be checked to ensure you have completed the exercise and are eligible to receive these two additional marks. This piece of assessment is due on Friday 16th May at 2pm. If you require an extension for the reflection please contact your tutor directly.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit your Tutorial Reflection by 2pm on 16th May via the link provided on Blackboard (under Assessment), specifying your tutor.
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Late submissions of the Tutorial Reflection will be penalised at 1 mark per day.
Reading Review (20 marks)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
28/03/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Students will complete an 800 word review of one (1) of the following recommended readings on Theory provided in the POLS1201 reading list:
- Keohane and Nye, Power and Interdependence
- Mearsheimer, Back to the Future
- Wendt, Anarchy is What States Make of It
- Tickner, Hans Morgenthau's Principles of Political Realism: A Feminist Reformulation
- Barkawi and Laffey, The Postcolonial Moment in Security Studies
- Booth, Security and Emancipation
- Bleiker, The Aesthetic Turn in International Political Theory
- Graham and Brigg, Indigenous International Relations
This reading review should outline the content of the reading chosen and present core claims made, while also reflecting on the assumptions and limitations of the analysis. An example reading review is available on Blackboard.
Please submit your reading review via the link provided on Blackboard (under Assessment), specifying your tutor. Please note word length penalties apply.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Please submit your reading review via the link provided on Blackboard (under Assessment), specifying your tutor.
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Major essay (30 marks)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
23/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Each student will write a research essay of 2000 words due at 2pm on Friday 23rd May. A list of essay questions are available on Blackboard, or students may choose a topic of their own with approval from the course coordinator- Matt McDonald - one month prior to the essay deadline (ie by 23rd April).
A full list of marking criteria is available on Blackboard, but as a general guide the essay should attempt to develop a clear argument in response to the question, one supported by significant engagement with literature on that topic. The course outline’s recommended readings should provide some guidance for reading material relevant to your topic, and all essays must draw on at least 2 sources from the course reading list- failure to do so will incur a 20% (6 marks) penalty. The essay should also attempt to engage at some level with theories and conceptual frameworks in international relations, although the extent of engagement depends on the question chosen. Finally, students should acknowledge and engage with counter-arguments to maximize the strength of their conclusions.
Assignments must be typed (1.5 spaced), fully referenced and include a reference list (not a bibliography). All assignments submitted are to be the original and individual work of the student submitting them. The assignment must be submitted electronically through Turnitin in Word form (not PDF). Penalties will apply for late submissions (10% per day) and excessive variation from the set word limit- more than 10% variation from the word limit will result in a penalty of 10%.
Assessment tasks are intended to evaluate a student’s abilities, skills, and knowledge. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit your Essay via the link provided on Blackboard (under Assessment), specifying your chosen question (eg Q2 Traditional Theory).
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
When you successfully submit your assessment to Turnitin after previewing the uploaded document (to make sure that you have chosen the correct file), you should see the “Submission Complete!” message. After this, a downloadable Digital Receipt will display on your Assignment Dashboard. It is your responsibility to download the Digital Receipt as proof of submission. Turnitin will not send this receipt to you automatically.
If you don’t see the downloadable receipt on your assignment dashboard, you should regard your submission as unsuccessful.
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Unless an extension is granted, penalties for late submission apply. Students are penalised 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item for every calendar day that an assessment item is late.
Marks will be deducted each day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point the submitted item will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is triggered from the time the submission is due.
Final Exam (30 marks)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The final piece of assessment for this course will be a central exam conducted in the central exam period. This is a hurdle requirement, meaning students must complete and pass the exam to pass the course overall.
Students will have 2 hours to complete the exam. Students will be required to answer two questions in essay form. Students will be required to complete one question from Part A of the exam question list and the other from Part B. The topics covered in Part A correspond approximately with the lectures in the first half of the course (from 'Introduction' to 'Security and Warfare'), while the topics covered in Part B correspond with the lectures in the second half of the course (from 'Governance and International Law' to 'Conclusion'). Students will choose one of 6 possible questions from Part A and one of 6 possible questions from Part B.
Each of the two questions will be worth 15 marks. The maximum score for the exam will be 30 marks.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the assessment instructions, assessments are to be completed without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT). Failure to comply with this direction may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must complete and pass the exam to pass the course overall.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student does notﾠaddress the question, shows no evidence of reading and minimal comprehension of the issues at hand. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠaddresses the question poorly and showsﾠvery little evidence of reading. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student makes an effort to establish a single major argument for the essay andﾠemploys some research which is correlated with the argument. Makes a visible effort to achieve adequate grammar, spelling and punctuation. Evidence of attempting to achieve a recognisable narrative flowﾠappears throughout the assignment. The studentﾠaddresses the question and shows evidence of required research and a basic grasp of the issues at hand. However,ﾠfalls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student makes a reasonable effort to provide evidence to support a visible argument andﾠemploys an adequate research base to support the argument. Achieves a reasonable, if not completely coherent standard of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A recognisable narrative flow is sustained throughout the essay. The studentﾠanswers the question and shows evidence of adequate research and a degree of understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠprovides suitable evidence to support an argument andﾠemploys a comprehensive research base that directly relates to the topic, though it may not completely support the argument. Achieves decent levels of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠanswers the question in a direct, well supported fashion and shows evidence of some wide reading and a reasonable understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠdemonstrates a very good grasp of the chosen topic andﾠprovides a considerable amount of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The studentﾠemploys a reasonably extensive and well-organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument and achieves a high level of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠanswers the question in a direct, reasonably sophisticated fashion, employs wide research and shows a sound understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The studentﾠdemonstrates a highly sophisticated grasp of the topic andﾠsucceeds in addressing the question by providing a high level of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The studentﾠemploys an extensive and well organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument andﾠachieves impeccable levels of grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The studentﾠanswers the question in a direct and elegant fashion, employs significant research and shows a deep understanding of the issues at hand. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be awarded on the following basis:
1.ﾠFailﾠ 1 - 19%
2. Failﾠ 20 - 44%
3. Failﾠ 45 - 49%
4. Passﾠ 50 - 64 %
5. Creditﾠ 65 - 74 %
6. Distinctionﾠ 75 - 84 %
7. High Distinctionﾠ 85 - 100 %
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Word Length Penalty
Unless otherwise indicated, in the case of written submissions with a specified word count, you are given a +10% leeway on the upper word limit. If your written submission is over this leeway limit, it will attract a 10 percentage point penalty. For example, if your essay is 1,500 words, you may write up to 1,650 before attracting a word count penalty. If your essay exceeds the upper word limit, it will attract a 10% word count penalty. Therefore, if your essay is worth 40 marks, you will lose 4 marks from your allotted grade. Unless specified, penalties only apply to exceeding the word length, not for failure to write a sufficient amount.
Students should note:
• The Author-date in-text referencing system will count toward the word length;
• References in the Footnote referencing system will not count toward the word length. If you are using footnotes, any content included in footnotes beyond the specific text reference will count towards the word length.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Essay Guide
The School of Political Science and International Studies Essay Guide can be downloaded from the School’s Student Support webpage.
The Guide sets out guidelines you should follow in preparing written assignments.
Essay Writing Assistance
The School of Political Science and International Studies schedules regular “drop-in” sessions designed to provide one-on-one advice and assistance in essay planning and writing.
There is no need to make an appointment and you are encouraged to bring your essay with you.
The day and time of these sessions will be finalized at the beginning of each semester and published on the Student Support webpage.
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills and thus your academic performance in this course.
Library Resources
UQ Library offers training in software, assignment writing, research skills, and publishing and research management.
The University’s library holdings for Political Science and International Studies are primarily located in the Central Library.
There is a help desk in the Library. Students are also welcome to contact the BEL/HASS Librarians for assistance.
Email: librarians@library.uq.edu.au
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction: What is International Relations?
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Traditional Theories of International Relations
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Introduction & Traditional Theories of IR Possible topics for discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Critical Theories of International Relations
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Critical Theories of International Relations Possible topics for discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Sovereignty and the State
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Sovereignty and the State Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Twentieth Century History
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Twentieth Century History Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Security and Warfare
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Security and Warfare Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Global Governance and International Law
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Global Governance and International Law Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Globalization, International Political Economy and Development
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Globalization, International Political Economy and Development Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid Semester Break |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
International Society and Human Rights
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
International Society and Human Rights Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
No classes- Labor Day |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Global Challenges
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Global Challenges Possible Topics for Discussion:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
A Changing Global Order?
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Conclusion, The Future of IR
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.