The Writing International Relations course is an introduction to graduate writing skills focused on the discipline of International Relations. It seeks to develop such skills as how to read for argument, how to construct an argument, forms of reasoning and evidence, structuring an essay, how to conduct advanced research, and critical thinking. It does so through a careful analysis of selected International Relations texts and debates, and through the interactive development of graduated written assignments

• A basic understanding of the nature of the discipline of political science and international relations and where it fits in relation to other social sciences
• The acquisition of the necessary skills for advanced academic writing in international relations at graduate level
• An understanding of critical thinking, forms of reasoning and debate
• An appreciation of advanced research methods in international relations
• An understanding of a major current international relations debate

6 unit

Annotated bibliography assignment (1,000 words) 10%

2 short reports (1,500 words each) 50%

Essay   2,000 words (40%)

12 unit

Annotated bibliography assignment (1,000 words) 10%

3 short reports (1,000 words each) 30%

Short essay       2,000 words (20%)

Long Essay       4,000 words (40%)

The course requires two contact hours each week and from six to ten hours a week outside the contact hours.

•  10,000 words of assessable written tasks for 12- unit option

• 5,000 words of assessable tasks for 6-unit option

No prerequisite.

Intending students must have a Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline with a minimum credit average or equivalent.