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Undergraduate | MUR-POL161-2023

Understanding International Politics

Chip away at the issues and relationships that define contemporary global affairs. Examine the global role of capitalism and democracy. Apply idealistic, constructivist, Marxist and feminist thinking to your research about international relations.

Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements

Study method

100% online

Assessments

100% online

Entry requirements

No ATAR needed

No prior study

Duration

13 weeks

Start dates

  • 29 May 2023

Price from

$1,895

Upfront cost

$0

HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available

About this subject

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will:

  1. Discuss and explain a wide range of issues and processes in international politics
  2. Differentiate various International Relations theories, such as realism, idealism, constructivism, feminism, and critical theory
  3. Explain the history of International Relations and identify its landmark debates
  4. Identity and discuss major global issues, such as globalisation, modernisation, development, and global warming
  5. Communicate clearly and coherently in writing
    • 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
  • 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 (50%)
    • Open book timed online exam (30%)
  • For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).

  • This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.

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Entry requirements

No 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:

  • MUR-PTR161 (Not currently available)

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What to study next?

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