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An understanding of the key issues in world politics, both historically and in the dynamically globalizing contemporary world, is crucial in analysing both traditional and non-traditional threats to security. It is also important to identify the range of actors that play a role in international politics and the foreign policies of the ‘great’ powers, the European powers and the ‘emerging’ powers.

This course briefly reviews the historical dimensions and contending analytical perspectives on international relations, with an emphasis on processes of globalisation and significant issues in contemporary world politics. Secondly, it explores the foreign policy perspectives of the `great' powers', the European powers and the `emerging' powers.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate:

1. academic and professional skills by analysing and applying their understanding of the nature and evolution of International Relations as a series of both issues and processes in and of themselves as well as an interdisciplinary field of academic study;
2. an understanding of the nature and evolution of the international system, the practice of diplomacy and other forms of interaction at the various levels of the system, and the major issues of relevance to Australia and its region;
3. written communication skills appropriate to the discipline by preparing a research essay and readings-based quizzes;
4. academic and professional literacy by submitting a research essay and receiving feedback on their academic skills;
5. ethical research and inquiry skills by applying both the norms of research and referencing in their work;
6. cultural literacy skills by comprehending and applying issues in globalisation.