Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This Unit introduces students to the study of peace and security in international politics. Firstly, it introduces the traditional notions of security - war, deterrence, terrorism alongside non-military issues such as famine, crime, disasters, pandemics, environmental degradation, human rights abuses - and explains how these are threats to peace.

Secondly, it provides the conceptual framework for understanding conflict and peace. Causes of conflicts and ways of dealing with them are examined. Particular focus is put on efforts of the UN, and other intergovernmental organizations such as the EU, African Union, ASEAN; individual governments; and NGOs towards achieving peace.

Objectives

By the end of their study of this subject, students will have gained:

1. an appreciation of the various concepts for understanding peace and security in the contemporary world;
2. knowledge of the root causes of conflicts;
3. comprehension of the relationship between non-military security issues, conflicts and peace;
4. an understanding of ways of resolving conflicts including the efforts of various actors - the UN, and other intergovernmental organizations such as the EU, AU, ASEAN; individual governments; and non-governmental organisations towards achieving peace;
5. sufficient information and research skills to formulate and respond to essay questions;
6. strong skills in critical oral and written assessment of the academic scholarship, including methods, assumptions and uses of evidence, and in organising and defending a verbal and written argument based upon those assessments;
7. a capacity to reflect upon and make critical use of a range of resources including, where relevant, on-line materials.

Assessment

Class participation: 15%
Oral presentation written up as short essay (500 words): 10%
Essay (2500 words): 40%
Examination (2 hours, 1500 words): 35%

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture per week
One 1-hour tutorial per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Anthropology
Asian studies
Australian studies
Behavioural studies
Chinese studies
Communications
Criminal justice
Criminology
European and European Union studies
Film and television studies
Gender studies
Geography and environmental science (ARTS)
History
History-politics
Human rights theory
Indonesian studies
International studies
Italian studies
Japanese studies
Jewish civilisation
Journalism
Korean and Korean studies
Philosophy
Politics
Psychological studies
Public relations
Religion and theology
Social and community welfareSociology
Spanish and Latin American studies
Sustainability, environment and society