166-035 Australian Foreign Relations

Usually one first-year politics subject.

This subject forms an introduction to Australian foreign relations, with reference to both global and regional issues affecting Australia. Topics will normally include the domestic politics of Australian foreign relations; Australia and the US; Australia and the Asia-Pacific (including relations with key countries such as Japan, China and Indonesia); Australia and the South Pacific; Australia and Europe (including the UK) and Australia and the United Nations. Students should gain a better understanding of the way in which Australia's place in the world has changed in recent times. Students who complete this subject should have an understanding of the domestic and international context of Australian foreign relations and of the implications of a range of global and regional issues for Australia.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

A written essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a 2-hour examination 50% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be made available for purchase.

• D McDougall, Australian Foreign Relations: Contemporary Perspectives. Addison Wesley Longman 1998.