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Course Outline

INT250 Forces of Change in International Politics

Course Coordinator:Shannon Brincat (sbrincat@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course acquaints you with the forces that have influenced change in international relations and world orders, particularly in the twentieth century. It incorporates elements of political theory so that you acquire basic analytical tools for understanding the development of international relations. From a chronological and a thematic viewpoint, the course analyses the major forces of change - material, institutional, and ideational - in the history, present, and future of international politics.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus tutorials 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Learning materials – Online learning materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – Online learning materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorials 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

Introduction to Forces of Change in International Politics

Theories of Change and Transformation

Nationalism, nation states, and global politics

The Cold War/s: superpowers, polarity, and hegemony

Political leadership as a force of change in international politics

Citizens and the state: Human security v. Human rights

The politics of globalisation and the transformation of political community

Colonialism, imperialism, and development

Gender, race, and identity

Environmental change: past and future

Futures of World Orders

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Apply knowledge related to theory, history, and practice of forces of change in world politics. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
2 Examine and critique international relations theory, concepts, and practice related to forces of change in world politics, including actors, institutions, processes, historical events and current affairs. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
3 Research, discuss, apply and communicate knowledge about the relationship between forces of change and world politics. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
4 Application of scholarly writing and research, in the field of politics and international relations. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
5 Research and critically engage with information about events and current affairs related to forces of change in world politics Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback is provided in Assessment 3 Preparation and Participation Portfolio throughout all weeks of class. Students will be given direct oral feedback on their preparation and participation in the tutorial related to readings and lecture content.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Essay Individual 30% 
1250 Words
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Oral Individual 50% 
1) To complete and Oral Report (with separate list of references), exploring one of the counter-factual scenarios/questions released on Canvas. The Oral recording should be 15 minutes and be no less than 12 minutes long. It can be accompanied with slides and other materials. This is worth 30%

2) An audio; or visual; or artistic; or written; or mixed-media artefact/s exploring the same counter-factual scenario/question released on Canvas. 1000 words or equivalent. This is worth 20%
 Week 12 Online Submission
All 3 Portfolio Individual 20% 
100 words - Weeks 1-10
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Essay
Goal: 
To undertake research and write an essay that explores forces of change in world politics.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The essay is written as a formal academic essay with appropriate acknowledgement of research sources presented with references.Students will answer one essay question from the topics provided on Canvas. Particular attention will be focused on the inclusion of empirical data to support points and arguments made, integration of arguments with theories of politics and IR, and, on the critical analysis and synthesis of materials in the essay.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Breadth of research, under-standing and application of relevant literature. Critique and deployment of theory, history, and practice of forces of change in world politics.
 1 2 4
2 
Comprehensiveness of argument in response to question. Appropriate and critical use of research to discuss, apply and communicate knowledge about the relationship between forces of change and world politics
 2 4
3 
Critical analysis; critical and lateral thinking; engagement with sources, theories and different viewpoints
 2 5
4 
Use of evidence; range of sources and evidence; quality of sources and evidence.
 1 2 5
5 
Language /written expression; written communication and language; structure of essay
 1 2 3 4 5
6 
Referencing and citations
 1 2 3 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Artefact/s and Oral Report on Forces of Change
Goal: 
There are two parts of this assessment. The first is to complete an Oral Report (with separate list of references) of 12-15 minutes. The second is to develop a Creative piece. Both of these items explore one of the counter-factual scenarios/questions released on Canvas.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
1) The Oral Report is a formal presentation that should be recorded. Students are to complete the Oral Report based on research and concepts related to the course, to explore and speculate on an alternative history/counter-factual to world politics. It must have appropriate acknowledgement of research sources presented with references (that can be submitted as a written document). Students will explore one of the counter-factual scenarios/questions that will be released on Canvas. Particular attention will be focused on the ability to think critically and creatively through different theories, patterns, and conditions of the forces of change in world politics.

2) Using any form of media or communication tools (video, illustration, oral presentation, radio, web, musical, performative, written etc), students are to develop a creative artefact/s that explores the same counterfactual question/scenario released on Canvass.

Examples and ideas are provided on Canvas and we will have class time dedicated to this project.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Comparison of historical events and theory, combining analysis and synthesis of arguments.
 1 2
2 
Engagement with topic area by contrasting sources, and, using theories of IR and politics to ground the vignette
 1 2
3 
Creativity and effectiveness of communicating arguments and information to the audience
 1 2 4
4 
Critical and lateral thinking into the topic area
 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Preparation and Participation Portfolio
Goal: 
Actively prepare for and engage in tutorial discussions and activities; and constructively respond to course content questions, theories and practices.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
In each tutorial (weeks 1-10).
Tutorial preparation and participation is assessed on active and informed participation. The tutorial provides an opportunity to extend your understanding though an exchange of views, discussion, debate and group exercises. Your contribution needs to be informed. Asserting opinions without providing evidence in support or constantly wandering too far from the set topics will not constitute informed participation. Please note, you will be required to listen to each lecture recording and read all required readings before attending the seminar to understand the key ideas, concepts and themes for the week. Preparation for each tutorial will require: 
 
- reading the required readings for the week; - watching the online materials; - completing written summaries or question/answer of the Portfolio (100 words) each week and emailing these to the lecturer prior to the seminar; - reflecting about the issues highlighted for discussion in the seminar. 
 
Discussions will take place in the tutorial which will give you the opportunity to be heard and participate in a range of learning activities. The mark of 20% is based on active and informed participation but you can only participate if you are present; and you can only participate if you are prepared by having completed the Portfolio. This contributes to peer-to-peer collaborative learning.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrated knowledge of the required readings and lectures
 1 2 3 4 5
2 
Demonstrated capacity to analyse readings and lecture content
 1 2
3 
Contributed to class and group discussions with relevant and informed comments
 1 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Richard Devetak,Jim George,Sarah Percy 2017 An Introduction to International Relations Latest or Third Cambridge University Press

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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