PHIL1000 - Tutorial 1

Overview of Liberalism and Constructivism

• Liberalism
  • Focus on economics, systems of government, and theoretical frameworks.
• Constructivism
  • Emphasizes identity and perceptions in international relations.

Nationalism and Identity

• Ultranationalism
  • Definition: An extreme form of nationalism that embraces aggressive national interests.
  • Context: Putin's agenda reflects a push for a more extreme nationalist stance, viewing Ukraine as an extension of Russia rather than a separate nation.
  • Reclamation vs. Invasion:
  • Ukrainian land viewed by Russia as part of their heritage post-Soviet Union breakup.
  • Putin's assertion reflects a belief in Russia's right to reclaim Ukraine, which he promotes domestically to maintain power.

Perspectives on the Invasion

• Constructivist View:
  • Argues the invasion is driven by nationalistic motivations which politicians use to consolidate control.
• Realist Perspective:
  • Focuses on international security structures while neglecting individual leadership dynamics.
  • Emphasizes the anarchic nature of international relations where no ultimate authority exists, contrasting with hierarchies in state structures.

Tutorial Format and Expectations

• Goal: Engage with a concept or assertion discussed in lectures and relate it to real-world examples.
• Group Work: Students to organize into small groups (about four students) for discussions and collaborative tasks.
• Class Structure:
  • Tutorials may include unfurling definitions and concepts before moving onto case studies.

Concept of Hierarchy in International Relations

• Hierarchical Structures: Related to command-and-control systems such as a monarchy where power is centralized.
• In international relations, a hierarchical structure does not exist - it is anarchic instead, meaning no overarching governing body exists.

Attendance Policy

• Total number of tutorials: 11 per semester.
• Maximum allowed absences: 15% of total tutorials (about 1.95, typically rounded to 2 tutorials).
• Importance of attendance: Attendance is crucial for maintaining grades; excessive absences may hinder graduation eligibility.
• Suggested Action: Notify instructors in advance about missed tutorials due to personal issues.

Critical Thinking and Academic Engagement

• Definition of Critical Thinking:
  • The process of evaluating information and forming independent opinions rather than relying on others.
  • Encourages analysis of content context, authorship, and implications behind various viewpoints.
• Application in academic work: Students are encouraged to approach texts critically, asking questions about context, authors’ intentions, and comparisons with other literature.

Academic Resources and Research

• Recommended Paper: "New patterns of global security in the twenty first century" by Barry Boussin (1991)
  • Context of its writing: Post-USSR collapse, speculative in nature with minimal academic references.
  • Significance: Reflects attempts to prophesy future global security trends.
• Importance of academic resources:
  • Use of library databases and FindIt for acquiring scholarly articles for free, which may otherwise incur costs.
  • Suggestions: Transition to using reference management systems such as EndNote for efficiently organizing and citing academic resources.

Using Reference Management Systems

• EndNote Library Usage
  • Helps in keeping bibliographic information organized and facilitates easy citations.
  • Streamlines the process of compiling reference lists.
• Related Tools:
  • Use of Google Scholar for initial literature searches, primarily focusing on obtaining free versions of academic papers.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

• Overview of grading distribution based on performance:

  • Passes, Credits, Distinctions, and High Distinctions allocated on a comparative basis.

• Rubric Significance:

  • Guides students on how grading will be allocated based on factors such as logical structuring and critical engagement with literature.

• Missing the rubric could affect clarity regarding assessment expectations.

• Emphasis on clear, concise argumentation and organization:

  • Students should be prepared to support their viewpoints with evidence from literature while presenting opposing perspectives for a balanced analysis.

Conclusion and Future Actions

• Questions and Further Clarifications: Tutorials serve as a vital avenue for inquiries and deeper engagement with course material.
• Importance of preparation for discussions, reflections on feedback from tutorials, and active participation encouraged.
• Reminder to familiarize with unit outlines and updated assessment rubrics regularly communicated by instructors.