INTR1100 Exploring the International

2017

4.5

1 x 2-hour workshop weekly

A Compulsory introductory core topic

Assignments

Understanding the International as a mode of being in the world; a way of conceiving human coexistence; and a political system; is our purpose in this topic. Have you ever wondered why the world is bordered in the way it is? Or whether there has always been an international? Are there other ways of thinking about and organising the world to foster peaceful co-existence? Do you puzzle over what lurks behind the latest news and how to sift your way through the mountain of images, words, opinions and perspectives to the facts of the matter? These are but a few of the questions you could find yourself researching. To succeed in an information rich world, where knowledge is more important than labour, you need the tools of a keen researcher, who knows how to turn information into knowledge and communicate that knowledge effectively. Using an inquiry based approach to learning you will develop your skills as a detective, analyst and diplomats, able to communicate and collaborate in understanding the International.

This topic aims to:

1. Give students a substantial conceptual grounding in interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the international.
2. Develop a sound understanding of the research process through inquiry based activities.
3. Cultivate independent, reflexive, live long learning awareness
4. Develop critical literacies around cross-cultural communication and diversity.

On successful completion of this topic students should be able to:

1. Explain the six key concepts International, nation-­state, globalisation, identity, citizenship and sovereignty, related to understanding the International and discuss how they relate to each other
2. Identify how these six key concepts shape historical and/or contemporary international affairs
3. Apply analytical thinking to research into international affairs
4. Construct evidence­based arguments in written, spoken and visual forms of communication
5. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate constructively with peers across diversities of interest, background, language, identity and capacities
6. Relate their Awareness of attributes as an independent learner.