INTR9065A Timor-Leste - Challenges of a New State in the Asian Century

2016

4.5

1 x 3-day intensive workshop per semester

INTR9009 has been successfully completed

Master of Arts (International Relations), Master of Arts (International Development), Master of International Development

This topic focuses onTimor-Leste, the youngest state in Asia, and the political, economic, cultural and social challenges it faces in a context of rapid economic growth and social transformation in the Asian region. Students will explore themes that cut across international relations and international development, including: the developmental state and its role in shaping the nation; political and economic relations between Timor-Leste and key states including Australia, Indonesia, China & USA; Timor Leste's economy and its reliance on oil resources in the context of contested maritime borders; development issues in post-conflict situations,such as a young population, under-and unemployment, reintegration of guerrilla fighters, and low level community tensions. Students will apply their academic knowledge in a complex policy scenario.

The topic takes the form of an intensive topic held on the Flinders campus in which distance students participate in real time using educational ICTs including Skype, Flinders Learning Online (FLO), live-streamed video and chat. Central to the learning experience is participation in a synchronous in-person and online simulation of a realistic international policy scenario. This topic aims to equip students with the skills that enable them to perform professionally and socially in an international and multicultural context, as well as building discipline knowledge in international relations and international development.

This topic aims to:

1. provide an opportunity for students to engage in professional analysis of issues and problems in international relations and international development
2. introduce students to complex problems and problem solving skills in international relations and international development using a simulated realistic workplace scenario
3. provide students with opportunities to develop professional communication skills - oral and written - with special attention to communicating across cultural, linguistic, disciplinary and physical boundaries through the use of ICTs
4. further develop students' skills in academic research, bibliographic analysis and professional writing

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

1. produce a well-informed analysis of advanced-level academic and policy literature in an area of international relations and international development
2. demonstrate an awareness of the complex challenges faced by countries and of productive ways to approach them
3. demonstrate advanced and effective communication skills, both face-to-face and mediated through ICTs
4. collaborate constructively with others in complex professional environments
5. evaluate their own progress towards meeting their learning and professional goals