Understanding International Politics

• • Introduction – Nature of International Relations
  • Realism, war and power politics
  • Liberalism, peace and cooperation
  • Constructivism, identity and interests
  • Feminism, gender and global change
  • Understanding globalisation
  • Marxism, critical theory and the global economy
  • Modernisation and development
  • Environmentalism and climate change
  • Popular dissent and anarchism?
  • Eclecticism: Can we operate above paradigms?
  • How International Relations theories make sense of the world

• Study resources

  • Instructional methods

    • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
    • Online assignment submission
    • Podcasting/Lecture capture
    • Standard Media
    • Web links

  • Online materials

    • Resources and Links

Equivalent subjects

You cannot enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• MUR-PTR161

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject was previously known as Asia-Pacific in the Global System.

Aims to produce a critical understanding of global affairs. This subject's major assumption is that what we see as comprising 'international politics' is not determined exclusively by what is out there, but also by something in our own heads. It is the theories and concepts constructed by International Relations scholars that enable us to make sense of global affairs. Examines various theoretical approaches, including realism, idealism, constructivism, feminism and Marxism. Explores such issues as globalisation, development, environmentalism, and the global economy.

Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.

• Essay 1 (20%)
• Essay 2 (40%)
• Invigilated Exam - Open Book (40%)