Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Course profile

Conceptions of World Politics (POLS3208)

Study period
Sem 2 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Politic Sc & Internat Studies

The principal purpose of this course is to introduce students to the various theoretical approaches to the study of world politics. The subject matter of political theory - who gets what, when, where and how on a global scale - is open to a number of contrasting interpretations. The course therefore helps students critically engage with the ways in which ideas shape the practices of global politics. The course examines rival paradigms such as realism, liberalism, constructivism and feminism, as well as key concepts such as power, the international system, the state, anarchy, sovereignty, security, governance and norms.

This course introduces students to the various theoretical approaches to the study of world politics. Theories are the tools we use to make sense of the world. We cannot begin to think intelligently about politics without understanding contested issues and concepts, such as sovereignty, war, human rights, trade, revolutions, nationalism, gender and genocide. The overall aim of the course is to expose students to multiple theoretical approaches and, in doing so, foster a critical understanding of the key issues that drive global politics.

Course requirements

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

4 units POLS-coded courses

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

GT252, POLS2208

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

The course comprises 11 lectures, starting in Week 1, and 8 tutorials, starting in Week 3.

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is three-fold: 1) to introduce students to a broad range of theoretical approaches to understanding global politics, including postcolonialism, feminism, realism, liberalism, marxism, critical theory, poststructuralism and constructivism. 2) to employ theories in order to develop and foster a critical understanding of political phenomena. 3) to link theory and practice by exploring how theories help us better understand concrete political phenomena.ᅠ

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Participation/ Student contribution Tutorial Participation and Tutorial Reflection 20%

Week 3 - Week 12

Part of the participation component includes a Tutorial Reflection, which is due on the 31st of October at 2 PM.

Essay/ Critique Research Essay (2000 words) 40%

19/09/2025 2:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

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 Participation and Tutorial Reflection

Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Participation/ Student contribution
Weight
20%
Due date

Week 3 - Week 12

Part of the participation component includes a Tutorial Reflection, which is due on the 31st of October at 2 PM.

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

The tutorial program is comprised of two components: 10% of your overall mark will be allocated for participating in 8 tutorials and 10% for submitting one tutorial reflection.

Students will receive 1.25 marks for participation in each tutorial if they:

  • Attend
  • Listen to others
  • Illustrate a willingness to speak or participate in-class activities
  • Engage other students respectfully.

In addition to attending tutorials, students are required to submit one tutorial reflection (1000 words) on the course Blackboard site.

Assignments (one tutorial reflection) for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Assignments (one tutorial reflection) 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:

  1. Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
  2. Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
  3. If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

 Students should contact their tutor directly if they are unable to meet the tutorial reflection deadline.

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.

Research Essay (2000 words)

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
40%
Due date

19/09/2025 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Each student will write a research essay. A list of 4 essay questions will be made available within 3 weeks of the start of the semester on the Blackboard.

  • A full list of marking criteria is 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.
  • Students must reference the specified source mentioned in the essay question, engaging closely with it and providing page numbers whenever the source is used in the essay.
  • The course's readings should provide guidance for reading material relevant to your topic but should not constitute the extent of your reading.
  • Students should acknowledge and attempt to engage with counter-arguments to maximise the strength of their arguments.
  • Essays must be typed, fully referenced and include a complete reference list.
  • Essays lacking proper citations in a standard referencing style will automatically receive a failing grade.
  • All essays submitted are to be the original and individual work of the student submitting them. The assignment must be submitted electronically through Turnitin in Word format (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% (4 marks).
  • Please consult the School Essay guide for additional guidance on referencing systems. Please list the question chosen for the essay in the title of your submission. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

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:

  1. Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
  2. Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
  3. If you cannot submit again, then email your course coordinator immediately.
Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

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

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

The final piece of assessment for this course will be a central exam conducted during the central exam period. 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 questions and the other from Part B.

The exam will be scheduled during the Central Exam period

Each of the two questions will be worth 20 marks. The maximum score for the assessment will be 40 marks.

The assessment is hurdled: Students must receive a pass in the final exam to pass this course. Students who do not receive a pass for the final exam can only receive an overall grade of 3 or less for the course. Students who receive an overall score of 3 in the Course are eligible to apply for a supplementary assessment (my.uq Supplementary Assessment)

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

Students must receive a pass in the final exam to pass this course. Students who do not receive a pass for the final exam can only receive an overall grade of 3 or less for the course. Students who receive an overall score of 3 in the Course are eligible to apply for a supplementary assessment (my.uq Supplementary Assessment)

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 not address 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 student addresses the question poorly and shows very 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 and employs 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 flow appears throughout the assignment. The student addresses the question and shows evidence of required research and a basic grasp of the issues at hand. However, falls 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 and employs 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 student answers 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 student provides suitable evidence to support an argument and employs 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 student answers 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 student demonstrates a very good grasp of the chosen topic and provides a considerable amount of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The student employs 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 student answers 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 student demonstrates a highly sophisticated grasp of the topic and succeeds in addressing the question by providing a high level of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The student employs an extensive and well organised research base to structure evidence in support of the argument and achieves impeccable levels of grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The student answers 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.ᅠ Failᅠ 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.

Marking Criteria/Rubric

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.

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

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

A list of the learning resources will be posted to Blackboard.

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

Book a Librarian Appointment (BEL/HASS faculties)

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
Clear filters
Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(28 Jul - 03 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 1: Introduction and Course Outline

The purpose of this opening lecture is to give students a broad idea of the content and format of the course. The main themes will be introduced and the key learning objectives outlined. We will, in particular, explore why theory is a useful indeed necessary "tool" for understanding international politics. We will, for instance, discuss how different traditions of thought provide different ways of thinking about key political issues, such as war, violence, conflict resolution, the role of states, sovereignty and the media. The final part of the session will provide a very brief overview of the key theories we will study during the semester. The second part of the session will then explain in detail the organisation of the course, including our learning activities. Students can engage the required reading below either before the lecture or after. But, as with any of the required reading, it is absolutely essential that it is read very carefully. You should also summarize the reading, noting its key arguments and elaborating on your own reactions to them. Make sure you are using these engagements with the readings, together with what you have learned from the lectures as well as from the further readings, when engaging with fellow students in your tutorials.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 2

(04 Aug - 10 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 2: Conceptions of World Politics

This is an important preliminary session on the role and nature of theories. We start by exploring what theories are. We note, in particular, that theories are not juxtaposed to reality. Rather, they are an essential element of making sense of the "real" life of politics. Indeed, the notion of "theory" is derived of the original Greek word theoria − which means "to see". Theories, then, are ways of "seeing" the world. The lecture will then introduce the key conceptual terms and issues necessary to understand theories. We will discuss what epistemologies are, talking about positivism and post-positivism, for instance. We will talk about ontologies and distinguish among different levels of analysis. We will juxtapose problem-solving and critical theories, and we will also explore the key nature of the so-called great debates in international relations theory. Throughout the semester we will ask four key questions of each theory we study: 1. What is the broad image of the world? (conflict, harmony, anarchy, hierarchy, etc.) 2. How can we know this world? (nature and limit of knowledge; the role of the theorist, etc.) 3. Who are the main actors in this world? (states, individuals, groups, companies, etc.) 4. What possibilities for ethics and peace exist in this world? (constant conflict, possibility for collaboration, etc.).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 3

(11 Aug - 17 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 3: Postcolonial and Decolonial Theories

Most courses on international relations theories start with the two conventional theories: realism and liberalism. This course pursues a different route. We start, instead, with two theories that explicitly challenge the worldviews upheld by realism and liberalism: postcolonialism and feminism. We do so to question, in a more critical way, how theories both help us understand the world and, in doing so, also shape it. Postcolonialism engages questions of power and shows how ways of thinking about politics can engender patterns of inclusion and exclusion. One key concern here lies with how Western approaches have dominated the theory and practice of international relations. We engage the key theories that scrutinise the consequences of this cultural dominance, such as Edward Said's deconstruction of Orientalism. Next, we will engage with decolonial theories. They go beyond critiquing the legacies of colonialism and seek to validate non-Western ways of knowing and being on their own terms. Among the approaches we examine here are those that seek to explore Indigenous forms of knowledge.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 1: Postcolonial and Decolonial Theories

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 4

(18 Aug - 24 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 4: Feminism and Gender in IR

We now deal with feminism. Here we outline different approaches to feminist theory, including liberal, standpoint, postmodern and postcolonial feminism. We then discuss key conceptual issues, such as the masculine nature of prevailing theories or the need to distinguish between sex and gender. The issues at stake are illustrated through various investigations, such as the emergence of a feminist consciousness and the relevance of feminist theory to understanding contemporary security issues.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 2: . Feminism and Gender in IR

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 5

(25 Aug - 31 Aug)

Lecture

Lecture 5: Marxism and Critical Theory

The lecture examines the various Marxist and neo-Marxist approaches. We begin with a brief overview of classical Marxists, such as Marx and Engels, focusing on how they bring imperialism and the economy into view. We then focus primarily on how more recent Marxist approaches theorise international politics. Here, we focus on the dependency theory and then examine the importance of the Italian theorist Antonio Gramsci, with a particular emphasis on his concept of hegemony and its relevance to international relations. The final part deals with neo-Marxists, or critical theory. Here we deal with theorists of the Frankfurt School, such as Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, and Jürgen Habermas. We examine the relevance of their work to international relations, contrasting, in particular, problem-solving and critical theories.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 3: Marxism and Critical Theory

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 6

(01 Sep - 07 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 6: Poststructuralism

This session explores poststructural or postmodern perspectives. We explore postmodernism in two different ways: as an attempt to understand a historical period shaped by processes of globalisation that is fundamentally different from a modern one; and as a particular way of knowing world politics that revolves around engaging questions of power, knowledge and representation. The lecture introduces the key postmodern theorists, the particular vocabulary they tend to use, as well as the implications the ensuing positions have for the theory and practice of world politics. We then discuss the similarities and differences between postmodern and poststructural approaches.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 4: Poststructuralism

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 7

(08 Sep - 14 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 7: Realism and Neo-Realism

Having explored approaches that challenge the Western and gendered nature of theories, we now enter a more conventional narrative about conceptions of world politics. We first engage with realism, which is the oldest and most influential theory of international relations. It is so old and influential that at times it is not even seen as a theory; it is regarded as a realistic description of reality. In this lecture, we examine how and why this theory has gained such influence. Given the complexity of realism, we can only provide a broad overview. Both the readings and the lecture will trace the emergence of realism, particularly in international relations. We will then discuss the key pillars of realist thought, comparing the classical versions, as presented by E. H. Carr and Hans Morgenthau, with the structural or neorealist version, primarily through an examination of the work of Kenneth Waltz.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 5: Realism and Neo-Realism

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 8

(15 Sep - 21 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 8: Liberalism and Neoliberalism

We now explore the most influential set of theories that exist in opposition to realism: liberalism and neoliberalism. We discuss the historical emergence of liberal internationalism, focusing on the ideas of Immanuel Kant and then on Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations. Here we juxtapose liberal ideas of international relations with those of realism. We examine the seeming triumph of realism over liberalism in the post-war period, and then explore the re-emergence of liberalism as a major theoretical force, first as part of regime theory in the 1970s and 1980s, and subsequently after the collapse of the Cold War. Equipped with this historical knowledge, we then identify the key components of liberal approaches. To achieve this, we examine the role of interdependence and international regimes, the significance of international law, the prospects for peace in a liberal world, and the nature of democratic peace theory.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 6: Liberalism and Neoliberalism

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 9

(22 Sep - 28 Sep)

Lecture

Lecture 9: The English School

We now explore the English School tradition, which, to some extent, offers a compromise between realism and liberalism. We examine the work of key thinkers, such as Martin Wight and Hedley Bull, and explore how their understanding of international society offers theoretical insights into why states cooperate, even in an ostensibly anarchical international system.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Tutorial

Tutorial 7: The English School

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Mid Sem break

(29 Sep - 05 Oct)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Mis-Semester Break

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 10

(06 Oct - 12 Oct)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

11. King's Birthday (Public holiday)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 11

(13 Oct - 19 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture 10: Constructivism

The last theory we explore in the course is constructivism, which builds on prevailing alternative theories, most notably postmodernism. It borrows from them the idea that reality is socially constructed, but seeks to combine this insight with more conventional understandings of social science prevalent in realist and liberal approaches to international relations. Central to this idea of a middle ground is the assumption that the social construction of reality can and should be empirically evaluated.

Tutorial

Tutorial 8: Constructivism

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 12

(20 Oct - 26 Oct)

Lecture

Lecture 11: Conclusion and Exam Preparation

This week, we review the key theories we have studied during the semester, asking questions about where international relations theory stands now and how it can help us understand the realities of world politics. This session is both an end and a beginning. While paying tribute to and drawing on the history of the field, we will survey prominent emerging trends in conceptualising world politics.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.