POLIS 2124 - Global Justice and International Order

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Which changes in the international system in the last decades are to be considered positive developments, and which are to be judged as negative? What parameters can we use in making these judgments? This course attempts to explore the current state of the debate on some of the most important questions about what is just and what is unjust in the international arena. We will be asking mainly normative questions, questions about right and wrong, but also exploring the reality of the international system and the dynamics of international politics. We will examine major themes in global justice: global poverty and inequality (what are the duties of people in developed countries to people in developing countries? Are they different to what we owe fellow citizens? is global poverty caused mostly by local factors or is it caused by features of the international political and economic order? What changes in the global political structure would improve global justice?); theories of human rights (What rights do human beings have? Who is responsible for their protection?); cosmopolitan democracy and global governance (What should be the mechanisms of decision making on issues with a global impact? Does the fact of contemporary global economic and political integration mean that we should have global democratic procedures?).

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Course Details

Course Code	POLIS 2124
Course	Global Justice and International Order
Coordinating Unit	Politics and International Relations
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Prerequisites	12 units of Level I study
Incompatible	POLI 2124
Assessment	2000 word research essay (40%), closed-book, in class test (40%), tutorial attendance, tasks and participation (20%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Tiziana Torresi

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	critically discuss a number of normative theoretical frameworks for thinking about global politics and justice
2	understand the international political system and the dynamics of political change
3	research, synthesize and present written arguments to a high standard
4	read reflectively and critically a diverse range of texts and to critically evaluate arguments
5	use information technology to find and organize information about politics
6	engage in constructive and respectful discussion in a seminar setting and work cooperatively in a group

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	4, 5
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	4, 5, 6, 7
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	4, 5, 6, 7
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	6, 7
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 2, 6, 7

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Interactive lectures are used to explore the theoretical frameworks, both critical and normative, that are central to the issues discussed in the course. In the tutorials students have the opportunity to apply the theoretical tools acquired though the readings and lectures on case studies through guided activities and discussions as well as group work.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Three contact hours per week (2 lectures and 1 tutorial). You should plan on devoting
around 6-8 hours per week on independent study as well, for research, reading,
preparing for tutorials and writing assignments. This is only indicative of the time required.

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1: Introduction: Ethics and International Politics
Week 2: Global Distributive Justice 1: Cosmopolitanism
Week 3: Global Distributive Justice 2: Social Liberalism
Week 4: Human Rights
Week 5: Citizens of the World
Week 6: Private Actors, Public Roles?
Week 7: Migrants and Refugees
Week 8: The Global Governance of Migration
Week 9: Women and Globalization
Week 10: Children of Globalization
Week 11: Global Environmental Justice
Week 12: Summing up

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Information available on enrolment.

Assessment Detail

Information available on enrolment.

Submission

Information available on enrolment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator