Last chance to study this subject for 2025—enrol by 20 July
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Introduction to Global Politics
UndergraduateMAQ-POIX10802025
Previously MAQ-POIX108
Gain a global perspective on issues like poverty, climate change and terrorism. Broaden your understanding of the history of global politics. Identify the challenges facing international governing bodies. Ask what you can do to change the world.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,160
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Global Politics
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Understand and evaluate the role of historical events and the meanings that have been attributed to them in world politics.
- Apply and develop further independent research skills required to discover relevant evidence to support academic arguments.
- Understand and apply the academic skills required to write cogently and to structure arguments in a logical order.
- Critically engage with and analyse the key issues and challenges that are the current focus of world politics.
- Understand, explain and apply the key concepts, theories, methods, and issues relevant to the study of International Relations at an introductory level.
- Identify and understand the defining debates in the field of Global Politics.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject was previously known as POIX108 Introduction to Global Politics.
Globalisation has had dramatic implications for the structure and conduct of global politics, now defined by the multiplication of actors and networks. Contemporary crises can no longer be contained within state borders and global problems such as climate change, poverty, health insecurities, and violent conflicts call for global solutions. This unit equips students with the tools to understand the forces that shape the world we live in by introducing them to the key issues, institutions, ideas, and actors involved in global politics. It first outlines the historical context, key theories and concepts, and fundamental institutions of contemporary global politics. Students will then explore important contemporary global issues and crises. Overall, the unit provides students with foundational knowledge about the complexity of global politics, problems and solutions.
- quiz (multiple choice) (10%)
- Short Essay (40%)
- Policy Brief (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PLT120 (Not currently available)
MAQ-POIX108 (Not currently available)
Others
If you have no prior university experience, you should complete BAR100 Academic Learning Skills or COM10006 Academic Literacies: Learning and Communication Practice before starting this subject.
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PLT120, POL108, POL168, POIX108
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
POIR1080 Introduction to Global Politics
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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