Introduction to International Relations (11238.1)

Please note these are the 2028 details for this unit
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Introduction to International Relations
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online real-time
On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Business, Government & Law
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Canberra School Of Government Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
This unit introduces students to the discipline of International Relations by analysing and debating core theoretical approaches, key historical developments from the 20th and 21st centuries, and contemporary issues including human security, global governance, foreign aid, transnational crime, and regionalisation.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify, describe and apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of International Relations to the analysis of political ideas, practices and issues in the international system;
2. Compare and contrast the political significance of multiple polities coexisting and of political boundary drawing and transforming politics and practices;
3. Differentiate and evaluate interpretations of international political events and issues in historical and contemporary context; and
4. Analyse the major structural changes in the inter-state system and assess their contemporary ramifications.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027, 2028 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Online real-time Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online real-time Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 Online real-time Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 On-campus Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 On-campus Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 Online real-time Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 14 February 2028 On-campus Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 14 February 2028 Online real-time Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 07 August 2028 On-campus Dr Shuhrat Baratov
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 07 August 2028 Online real-time Dr Shuhrat Baratov
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Grieco, J, Ikenberry, J, and Mastanduno, M 2026, Introduction to International Relations: Perspectives, Connections and Enduring Questions, 4rd edn, Bloomsbury.

New electronic and hard copies of this textbook are available via the School Locker. If you can't get a copy of the 4th edition, you can use the 3rd edition. 

Additional readings will be posted on the reading list on the UCLearn (Canvas) site, when necessary.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

  • Word limits. Assignments must be within 10% of the assigned word limit. Submissions that are more than 10% above or below the word limit will receive a penalty of 2% for every 100 words beyond the limit. Everything in the main text of your assignment (including quotations, in-text references, section headings and any text contained in tables) counts towards the word limit. The title of the assignment and the reference list do not count towards the word limit.
  • Referencing. The assignment instructions on UCLearn will specify whether referencing is required for each assignment. If referencing is required, you should use the Chicago 17th Edition (Author/Date) style, which is author-date style combining in-text referencing and a reference list. Follow the links for further details from the UC library on how to format this style correctly. 
  • Academic integrity. The unit will include a range of academic integrity measures, Turnitin text-checking software. Early in the semester the lecturers will provide guidance on permissible and impermissible uses of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the unit. If it is unclear whether the work you have submitted is your own work (as opposed to, say, AI-generated), you may be asked to resubmit your assignment and/or invited to a short one-on-one learning validation conversation with your marker, which will offer an opportunity to reflect on what you have learnt through writing your assignment. Failure to participate in the conversation may adversely affect your assignment mark.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Students are expected to attend/listen to lectures and attend workshops regularly.

Required IT skills

Students must submit all assignments in the required electronic formats.

In-unit costs

Cost of textbook purchase.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.

Next step

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