Course coordinator
Dr DB Subedi
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Politic Sc & Internat Studies
This course aims to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to the study of politics across the areas of Governance and Public Policy, Peace and Conflict Studies and International Relations. Before one can write well in politics, one must be able to read well. Thus, the course begins with consideration of the importance of critically reading texts in order to recognize both argument and underlying assumptions. Doing so requires acknowledgment of the open-ended or essentially contested nature of many of the concepts that are used in political discourse and analysis. Such recognition equips us to be informed readers and therefore more skilful analysts and writers in our chosen field. Through close reading of texts, interactive class exercises and a number of written assignments students will have the opportunity to build their analytical and writing skills in this field.
The course is designed to foster critical engagement with the often-implicit assumptions and logics that shape political arguments. This will enable students to develop a more nuanced understanding of such assumptions and to evaluate their strengths and limitations effectively.
It begins by exploring the contested meanings of and approaches to the study of politics and the core ideas that inform political inquiry. Students will critically examine key concepts such as power, legitimacy, democracy, decolonisation, nationalism, the state, and how these influence political discourses, behaviour, and policies. Emphasising institutions, norms, and governance, the course also investigates how political life is constructed and enacted across different levels, from gender politics and domestic sovereignty to global governance and multilateralism. Students will analyse how these frameworks sustain or challenge existing political orders.
Through a combination of seminar discussions and written assessments, students will enhance their analytical skills and strengthen their ability to write critically and effectively about key political ideas, theories, and debates.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr DB Subedi
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course comprises ten seminars and two writing workshops.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to the study of politics across the areas of Governance and Public Policy, Peace and Conflict Studies, and International Relations. It also aims to buildﾠstudents' analytical and writing skills through close reading of texts, interactive class exercises and a number of written assignments.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a broad understanding of the field of politics, including the essentially contested nature of many fundamental concepts.
LO2.
Demonstrate an understanding of norms and institutions and the role they play in political life
LO3.
Demonstrate the capacity to identify and analyse competing arguments
LO4.
Demonstrate the capacity to write clearly and effectively
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection |
Weekly Reading Diary
|
16% |
28/07/2025 - 20/10/2025
Further details will be published on Blackboard. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Case Study Analysis
|
24% |
3/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay Plan
|
20% |
26/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Research Essay (with a hurdle)
|
40% |
31/10/2025 4:00 pm |
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
Weekly Reading Diary
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
- Weight
- 16%
- Due date
28/07/2025 - 20/10/2025
Further details will be published on Blackboard.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
You are required to write eight reading diaries based on the weekly readings. Each reading diary should focus on one required reading from the week it is due and should show what you have learned and how the reading helped you develop critical thinking and analytical skills in political writing.
You must submit your reflections in following weeks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Each reflection must be no longer than 300 words.
In your diary, you should summarise what you have learned from the reading, explain how it influenced your thinking, and demonstrate that you have engaged with the material. You should also mention any new ideas, concepts, or perspectives in politics that the reading introduced to you.
Each submission is worth a maximum of 2 marks, making a total of 16 marks for all eight diaries. You will not receive written feedback for each submission, but they will be checked to confirm that the task has been completed and that you are eligible to receive marks.
All reading diaries are due by 4:00 pm on Fridays in the week it is due. Submissions must be uploaded via Turnitin on Blackboard.
Please check Blackboard for the exact submission deadlines and any additional information including the marking criteria for this assessment.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI and/or MIT technologies, successful completion of assessments in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MIT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission:
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.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
All students MUST Apply For An Extension via my.UQ before the assessment due date.
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.
Case Study Analysis
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 24%
- Due date
3/09/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04
Task description
By the end of week 3, you must choose a topic for a case study that critically analyses an issue in politics.
You have two options for your focus:
- You may choose to analyse how power is exercised and/or played out in a specific case.
- Alternatively, you may examine a case where democracy has come under threat or eroded.
Your case can be drawn from the international, national, sub-national, or local level. In either option, your analysis must apply relevant theories or concepts discussed in the course to support your analysis.
Your case study should be analytical, not just descriptive. Avoid simply recounting events. Instead, aim to explore the mechanisms, decisions, policies, or actions through which power was exercised or democracy was challenged. Identify who was involved and examine the political and, where appropriate, social effects of these actions.
In the introduction, briefly outline your case, explain your choice of focus, and describe how you will structure the rest of your paper. The body of your case study should engage with relevant academic literature and use at least one key concept or theory from the course on which your analysis must be based.
You should demonstrate your ability to apply political concepts to analyse real-world political situations
Your case study must be 1500 words in length, with a 10% leeway accepted. References are not included in the word count.
Refer to the Blackboard site for further information and marking criteria.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI and/or MIT technologies, successful completion of assessments in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MIT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit your case analysis via the Turnitin link in Blackboard.
Submission:
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.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
All students MUST Apply For An Extension via my.UQ before the assessment due date.
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.
Essay Plan
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
26/09/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This assessment requires you to submit a written plan for your final research essay. A list of essay topics will be available on the Blackboard site at the beginning of the semester. You may choose a topic from this list or propose your own research question, provided it is clearly related to a topic covered in the course.
Your essay plan should explain how you intend to address your chosen question. It must be written in prose (not in bullet points or dot points) and should not exceed 1200 words, excluding references.
When writing your essay plan, be sure to include the following:
- A clearly stated research question that you aim to address in your final essay.
- A discussion of relevant academic literature, identifying key arguments and debates related to your topic.
- Your main argument or thesis statement, if you already have one. This can be provisional and may be revised in the final essay.
- An outline of your intended essay structure, showing how you plan to develop your argument.
- A list of references. You may include sources you plan to consult later, but clearly indicate which ones you have not yet read.
Refer to the Blackboard site for further information and marking criteria.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI and/or MIT technologies, successful completion of assessments in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MIT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit your essay plan via the Turnitin link in Blackboard.
Submission:
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.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
All students MUST Apply For An Extension via my.UQ before the assessment due date.
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 (with a hurdle)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
31/10/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This assessment requires students to write a 2500-word essay based on their previously submitted essay plan.
You should expand on the aims, argument, and methods outlined in your plan. The essay requires you to engage in further reading and research, drawing on both course materials and relevant academic literature on your chosen topic.
When writing your essay, please ensure the following:
- Present a clear and well-structured argument that directly answers the essay question.
- Use appropriate scholarly sources and critically evaluate them. Build your own argument in response to the essay question, supported by this literature.
- Clearly explain your reasoning, showing how your conclusion follows from the arguments you present.
- Include relevant examples to support your analysis.
- Write clearly and concisely, using correct grammar and academic expression.
- Cite all sources accurately, using the recommended referencing style (APA 7th edition).
- Proofread your essay carefully before submission, and check your Turnitin similarity score.
Note: References are not included in the word count.
Refer to the course Blackboard site for detailed information and marking criteria.
This task includes a hurdle requirement. You must attend an oral test with your lecturer or tutor, where you will respond to a question related to your essay. The question will not be given in advance and may be followed by one or two additional questions.
You must pass the oral test in order to pass the course. If you do not pass the oral test, the highest final grade you can receive for the course is a 3. Students who receive a final grade of 3 may be eligible to apply for a supplementary assessment through the my.UQ Supplementary Assessment system . Please refer to the hurdle requirement section for more details.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI and/or MIT technologies, successful completion of assessments in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MIT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
The hurdle includes an oral response to the questions regarding the essay, followed by 1-2 follow-up questions. If the marker is satisfied that the essay demonstrates the skills and learning outcomes linked to the essay to a tolerable standard, students will pass the test and the original essay grade stands. If the marker is not satisfied, then the student receives a fail for the task and an overall 3 (marginal fail or ‘S’ = Supplementary) for the course. The student can apply for a supplementary assessment (see Assessment Procedure – Section 3 Part J). Dates and times of presentation will be published in Blackboard in the beginning of the semester. The timetable for hurdle test will be published on the course Blackboard site.Submission guidelines
Submit your Research essay via the Turnitin link in Blackboard.
Submission:
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.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
All students MUST Apply For An Extension via my.UQ before the assessment due date.
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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
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 or no comprehension of the issues at hand. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student addresses the question poorly and shows very little evidence of reading with minimal understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student does not succeed in making a coherent argument for the essay or has not addressed the essay question. Student's comprehension and use of sources is not of the required standard to pass. Grammar, spelling and punctuation, as well as referencing may be poor. The essay falls short of meeting the basic requirements for a pass. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
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 range of research 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 attempts to answer the question and shows a degree of understanding of the issues. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student provides suitable evidence to support an argument and employs a solid research base that relates to the topic, though it may not completely support the argument. Achieves a reasonable level of competence in grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. Shows a good understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a very good grasp of the topic and provides a considerable amount of evidence to support a clearly stated argument. The student employs a reasonably extensive and well-organized research base to present 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 and displays a sound understanding of the issues at hand. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
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-organized range of research to support any claims they make and achieves very high levels of grammar, spelling, punctuation and narrative flow. The student answers the question in a direct and elegant fashion and shows a deep understanding of the issues at hand. |
Additional course grading information
1. Fail 0 - 19%
2. Fail 20 - 44%
3. Fail 45 - 49%
4. Pass 50 - 64%
5. Credit 65 - 74%
6. Distinction 75 - 84%
7. High Distinction 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
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 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Seminar |
Introduction: What is Politics and Why study It? Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Seminar |
Approaches to Political Analysis Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Seminar |
Power, Authority and Legitimacy Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Workshop |
Essay Writing Workshop One Workshop time: Tuesday, 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Seminar |
Is Democracy Under Threat in the 21st Century? Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Seminar |
Norms and Institutions in Politics Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Workshop |
Writing Workshop Two Workshop time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Seminar |
Sovereignty, Decolonisation and Indigenous Rights Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Seminar |
Nations and Nationalism Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester break |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Independent Study Week No class and reading are assigned to this week. Students are recommended to catch up with readings and explore resources that would be useful for their research essay.
Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Seminar |
The State Amidst Globalisation and Global Governance Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Seminar |
Key Issues and Debates in Peace and Conflict Studies, IR, and Public Policy and Governance Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Seminar |
Reflection and Conclusion Seminar time: Tuesday 10:00 am Learning outcomes: L01, 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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.