POLIS 2129 - Indo-Pacific Foreign Policy

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course examines the changing politics of foreign policy in the post-Cold War era. Until recently, dominant discussions in International Relations centred on issues related to the structure of the international system such as the decline of the bipolar order and the implications of a unipolar or multipolar order. The growth of global terrorism, the rise of new powers and institutions and the increasing prominence of new actors, however, has focused attention on the need to understand the decisions taken by states and other actors. The course has two key objectives. The first is to introduce students to various theoretical approaches to understanding foreign policy, with a focus on the relevance to foreign policy of the three main IR theories, realism, liberalism and constructivism. Second, students will use this theoretical knowledge to analyse a number of empirical issues, including ethics and responsibility in foreign policy, the impact of structures of global governance, such as the United Nations, on states' foreign policies, the rise of the media as an actor in international politics, the foreign policies of the rising powers, India and China, and the role of non-state actors like Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

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Course Details

Course Code	POLIS 2129
Course	Indo-Pacific Foreign Policy
Coordinating Unit	Politics and International Relations
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours perweek
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study
Incompatible	POLI 2081, POLI 2108, POLI 2129, POLI 3081
Assessment	1200 word research proposal (20%), tutorial participation and attendance (20%), online test (15%), 2500 word essay (45%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Priya Chacko

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

Understand the development of the major approaches and theories of foreign policy analysis
Understand and analyse the key approaches and theories of foreign policy analysis and apply them to empirical case studies
Critically analyse and debate the foreign policy behaviour of particular states in the Indo-Pacific region in individual writing assignments and in group discussions
Differentiate between, and evaluate, the key approaches and theories of foreign policy analysis in individual writing assignments and in group discussions
Formulate research questions and synthesise information to write research proposals and essays
Identify, outline and critically assess the arguments in the scholarly literature on foreign policy in individual assignments and in group discussions
Be able to write essays and research proposals using the appropriate referencing system and to the highest standards of academic honesty

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

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Weekly online lectures supported by small group discovery which will further develop material covered in lectures.

Workload

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

Students are
expected to commit 12 hours each week to this course.

Lectures: 2
hours

Tutorial: 1
hour

Tutorial
preparation: 4 hours

Reading and
research for assessment: 5 hours

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1: Introduction to foreign policy analysis and the Indo-Pacific

Week 2: Approaches to analysing foreign policy: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism

Week 3: Domestic sources of foreign policy

Week 4: Ethics and international sources of foreign policy

Week 5: The media and public opinion

Week 6: Indian foreign policy

Week 7: China’s foreign policy

Week 8: Japan's foreign policy

Week 9: Indonesia's foreign policy

Week 10: US foreign policy

Week 11: Australian foreign policy

Week 12: Indo-Pacific simulation

Small Group Discovery Experience

The Small Group Discovery Experience will take the form of activities in tutorials which are designed to promote independent research skills, team work, presentation skills and problem solving skills.

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

1.    Tutorial activities
20% of total course mark
Summmative
Learning outcome: 1,2,3,4,6

2.    Research proposal
20% of total course mark
Summative
Due date: TBA
Learning outcome: 2,3,4,5,7

3.   Multiple choice test - online
15% of total course mark
Due date: TBA
Learning outcome: 1,6

4.    Final essay
45% of total mark
Due date: TBA
Learning outcome: 2,3,4,5,7

Assessment Detail

1.     Tutorial activities

You have one 50-minute group tutorial or structured learning activity per week.

Attendance at tutorials are compulsory. A failure to attend without an adequate explanation or a failure to prepare for the tutorial will affect your final grade.

Tutorials are forums for free exchange and discussion of informed opinions, that is, ideas and thoughts based on reading and reflection, as well as places for raising questions and for the exchange of relevant information. All students are expected to have read the required readings in
preparation for the tutorials. Tutorials will be assessed on the basis of the depth of knowledge on the weekly topic, the quality of engagement with the weekly readings, and the attitude displayed towards the arguments and contributions of others. Most tutorials will involve group work and a specific tutorial activity.

2.    Research proposal

The research proposal should be no longer than 1200 words excluding references.
A model assignment (an example or exemplar) will be posted on MyUni to serve as a guide

3. Online test

This will be a multiple choice test which will be completed and submitted to MyUni.

4.   Final essay

The final essay should be 2500 words long excluding references.

Your final essay must be directed at answering the research question you have identified in the research proposal.

Submission

Online Submission of Assignments (e-submission) via MyUni

All assignments are to be submitted electronically via MyUni - this is a two-step process. The assignment needs to be electronically submitted for marking via the ‘Assignments’ link in the course menu. It then needs to be submitted separately to Turnitin, which is also done via the MyUni site. Marked assignments will be returned to the student in printed form.

            **The submissions to ‘Assignments’ and to Turnitin must be identical**

Return of assignments
Research proposals will be returned to students in tutorials.
Students must provide a self-addressed envelope to their tutor, in order to have the final essay returned to them after it has been marked. This is the only way to ensure that your essay will be returned to you. Give this to your tutor in the last tutorial.

Extensions
Extensions will only be granted on medical or other documented grounds. The
pressure of other academic work or employment commitments will not be accepted as grounds for an extension. If, as often happens, several essays are due close to each other, you should plan your schedule so that you complete one or more before the deadline.

Students wishing to apply for an extension need to submit the relevant form available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html to the school office at least 5 days prior to the due date for the assignment.

Exceptions to the Policy

If one of the following criteria is met, an informal extension can be
organised with the course coordinator or tutor:

·        small extension – 2 days or less;

·        assessment item is worth 20% or less;

·        student is registered with the Disability Office (need to attach a Disability
Access Plan – DAP).

Late Penalties

Students who submit an essay late, without having gained an extension, will be liable to a penalty of 3% per day that the essay is overdue. Depending on the circumstances, essays more than
five days late (including weekends) will be eligible for a Pass or Fail grade only.

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.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator