Master of Criminology

This subject provides an advanced introduction to the major theories of International Relations and their influence on international affairs. Students will be introduced to mainstream approaches like realism / neo-realism, liberal internationalism / neoliberal institutionalism, and critical and normative approaches to international theory. The subject will also explore how different theories of International Relations have shaped contemporary debates and practices in international affairs, including the role of power and morality, the role of international institutions, and practices of inclusion and exclusion.

Large-scale internal violent conflicts and jihadi terrorism have been a feature of the security landscape in Southeast Asia in recent decades. These conflicts have spanned insurgencies, political violence, inter-ethnic and inter-religious and inter-religious conflagrations, with the forms of violence including civil wars, mass killings, riots and protracted low-level disturbances. Typically affecting only a small portion of each nation's territory, these conflicts have nevertheless impacted these countries' security more broadly. Jihadi terrorism has also added an extra-regional dimension to these conflicts, through their intersection with conflicts outside Southeast Asia, notably at present including the Syrian conflict and groups such as Islamic State in Iraq and Syam (ISIS). With a focus on Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar, this course will introduce students to the core theoretical approaches employed in the study of violent conflict and terrorism, to enable case study and comparative analysis. The course will also cover responses to contemporary violence and terrorism attempted by governments, international agencies, communities and civil society organisations. Students will become familiar with the strengths and drawbacks of each approach, consider the importance of context to the effectiveness of various interventions, and throughout will question how success is defined and measured.

This subject surveys events and issues that have shaped international relations since 1648, with emphasis on the period after 1945. The subject will acquaint students with the historical roots of major contemporary issues. Events and developments covered might include the Cold War, wars in the Middle East and the rise of the Third World, along with issues such as changing ideas about human rights and growth of nongovernmental organisations. Students practise historical empathy and negotiation skills by participating in a historical simulation.

This subject is an occasion to reflect on some important recent developments in global politics: the global economic crisis, Islamist militancy, humanitarian intervention and global surveillance. Its thematic cohesion comes from the choice of a left political perspective in selecting readings. Accordingly, the main issues are understood within the broader context of the post-World War II interests of capital and state in the powerful countries – especially in North America, Western Europe and the Middle East. By the end of the subject you should have a rigorous understanding of contemporary critical thought on developments that are likely to shape the coming generation.

Large-scale internal violent conflicts and jihadi terrorism have been a feature of the security landscape in Southeast Asia in recent decades. These conflicts have spanned insurgencies, political violence, inter-ethnic and inter-religious and inter-religious conflagrations, with the forms of violence including civil wars, mass killings, riots and protracted low-level disturbances. Typically affecting only a small portion of each nation's territory, these conflicts have nevertheless impacted these countries' security more broadly. Jihadi terrorism has also added an extra-regional dimension to these conflicts, through their intersection with conflicts outside Southeast Asia, notably at present including the Syrian conflict and groups such as Islamic State in Iraq and Syam (ISIS). With a focus on Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar, this course will introduce students to the core theoretical approaches employed in the study of violent conflict and terrorism, to enable case study and comparative analysis. The course will also cover responses to contemporary violence and terrorism attempted by governments, international agencies, communities and civil society organisations. Students will become familiar with the strengths and drawbacks of each approach, consider the importance of context to the effectiveness of various interventions, and throughout will question how success is defined and measured.

This subject is an occasion to reflect on some important recent developments in global politics: the global economic crisis, Islamist militancy, humanitarian intervention and global surveillance. Its thematic cohesion comes from the choice of a left political perspective in selecting readings. Accordingly, the main issues are understood within the broader context of the post-World War II interests of capital and state in the powerful countries – especially in North America, Western Europe and the Middle East. By the end of the subject you should have a rigorous understanding of contemporary critical thought on developments that are likely to shape the coming generation.

This subject focuses on definitions, types and theories of corruption, and on its political, social and economic effects in various parts of the world, particularly since the 1980s. The subject encourages students to problematise the concept of corruption in terms of its varied meanings, and to distinguish it from concepts such as organised crime, shadow economy, and political sleaze. One major issue considered is the extent to which corruption can delegitimise political systems. The subject will explore cultural diversity in interpretations of corruption, and the extent to which different cultural and systemic factors appear to exacerbate or reduce corruption. There will be a particular focus on the possible connections between corruption and neo-liberalism. On completion, students should have a sophisticated understanding of corruption in the contemporary world, what causes it, how it is measured, and how it is combated. Students should also be able to provide an advanced cost-benefit analysis of corruption in political, economic and social terms.

This subject considers and compares the response to terrorism around the world. Of particular interest will be legal responses, instigations of war, and the implementation of practices of rendition, arbitrary detention and torture. These practices have been argued to contravene due process and the presumption of innocence, and contribute to civil and global unrest, sometimes inspiring criminal action and creating new categories of what it means to be criminal. The subject draws upon the conceptual and analytical tools of criminological and socio-legal examination including analysis of the political, social and legal construction of terror and terrorism. The inspiration for anti-terrorism initiatives and conflicting arguments about their necessity will be examined together with the (side) effects they have created.

The history wars between Japan and China over Japan's war time roles periodically cause diplomatic fall outs between these two countries. Within the borders of Indonesia and Cambodia memories of violence are equally contested. Drawing on theoretical reflections on history and memory, on memory and identity politics, memory and the body, memory and gender students in this subject will learn to critically analyse memories or representations of violence in a range of Asian contexts. We will also engage with and reflect on a variety of media of memory such as narratives or testimony, museums, monuments, commemorative ceremonies, Internet sites, art and photographs. We will also reflect on the ethics and problems associated with researching and writing about memories and violence and related issues of truth and justice. The subject will include a number of case studies such as Japanese historical revisionism, the related memory wars in China over Japanese representations of the Nanjing Massacre and in Korea over the so called 'Comfort Women'. Further case studies might include memories of decolonisation wars, commemoration of the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, representations of the 1965 anti-communist killings in Indonesia, representations of the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, representations of the the Cultural Revolution in China and representations of the Vietnam War in Vietnam.

This subject focuses on the contemporary political landscape of the Middle East and Central Asia. It explores the interplay of international relations and domestic politics, especially in the wake of the war on terror and the Arab Uprisings. It traces the challenge of Islamism with reference to the Arab-Israeli conflict and implications of Iran’s growing assertiveness in the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. Of particular interest is popular perceptions of the United States in the region, as well as the disconnect between the people and the political elite.

This subject will examine the impact of international migration on the states, societies, and individuals. Its first segment will address the questions such as why people move and how societies change because of immigration and emigration. The second segment will examine policies concerning multiculturalism and social cohesion. By reviewing various policy examples and case studies, this subject aims to help students understand the realities of international migration and its policy challenges. The third segment will analyze the global governance of international migration, including the roles of international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and international laws. This subject is offered by Asia Institute, and will use many case studies of Asian countries, while covering the experiences of Australia, the US, Canada, and some major immigration countries in Europe as reference points as well.

This subject is designed to provide students with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and professionally oriented understanding of Latin America, as viewed from the perspective of international relations. It gives students an overview of the salient features of Latin American history and culture combined with a practical, expert-delivered summary of current problems and opportunities in the region. In addition to the core lectures, guest presentations by senior Australian and Latin American diplomats and officials examine the region’s responses to globalisation and engagement with international institutions. Emphasis is placed on evolving relationships between Latin American countries, the United States, and Australia through case studies of national development, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

This subject focuses on current debates on the European Union (EU) as an International Actor in foreign policy, diplomacy and trade. It introduces students to conceptual and analytical debates and public discourses on the EU's political development and external role. It examines the context of its current crisis. It scrutinizes divergent conceptions of the EU and its international role and 'actorness'. It examines globalisation's place in narratives of European Union development.The challenges of leadership and coherence in EU foreign policy are examined. It is expected that the value of interdisciplinary analysis will be illustrated. The EU's engagement with the US; MIddle East; the Asia Pascific and Austalia is examined.

As India’s influence increases in the international system, understanding its foreign policy and its engagement with the rest of the world is critical for students of international relations. This subject is designed as a comprehensive review of some of the key issues related to India’s worldview and its behaviour towards the external world. The subject will familiarise students with the origins and conduct of India’s foreign policy. Apart from taking stock of contemporary thinking and policies of the country, the major thrust of the course would be on the following areas: a.) Mapping the historical trajectory and pre-colonial roots of India’s Foreign Policy; b) Institutions and decision-making process; c.) Intellectual debates on the nation’s external relations in both the pre and post- independence era (esp. Moralism-Realism-Pragmatism); d.) Culture of Strategic Thinking in India’s relations with the outside world; e.) India’s approach towards Multilateralism (esp. Non-Proliferation, United Nations, Humanitarian Intervention, Trade and Environmental regimes)

The basic meaning of the word Jihad is 'effort', one to achieve a positive goal. The effort can be personal and spiritual, to achieve piety and moral integrity, or collective and physical participation in warfare to protect or advance a moral and Islamic society. This subject studies the second of those manifestations, but with a vital awareness of the importance of the first. It explores the religious political and social context of warfare in the Middle East and North Africa between the local population and various European and 'western' enemies, and in particular the ways in which wars were conducted. Using primary sources, it will examine concepts of honour and sacrifice, warfare and the notion of 'just' war. It will begin with a background in the early Islamic period, but concentrating on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in order to examine concepts of pre-colonial resistance, wars of liberation and the clash of civilisations that is proposed to explain present-day conflict. Students will be asked to place the primary sources in a contemporary theoretical perspective and so develop an understanding of the ways in which warfare between Muslims and Europeans has changed during the colonial and postcolonial periods.

This subject focuses on definitions, types and theories of corruption, and on its political, social and economic effects in various parts of the world, particularly since the 1980s. The subject encourages students to problematise the concept of corruption in terms of its varied meanings, and to distinguish it from concepts such as organised crime, shadow economy, and political sleaze. One major issue considered is the extent to which corruption can delegitimise political systems. The subject will explore cultural diversity in interpretations of corruption, and the extent to which different cultural and systemic factors appear to exacerbate or reduce corruption. There will be a particular focus on the possible connections between corruption and neo-liberalism. On completion, students should have a sophisticated understanding of corruption in the contemporary world, what causes it, how it is measured, and how it is combated. Students should also be able to provide an advanced cost-benefit analysis of corruption in political, economic and social terms.

This subject provides an advanced introduction to the history, theory, institutions and practice of international governance and law. The subject will provide students with a broad understanding of the evolution of the international system of states, the development of diplomacy, the evolution of international law (including the role of both soft & hard law), the changing form and practice of multilateralism and the emergence of non-state or hybrid forms of power and authority. Key challenges in global governance will be critically explored, including the impact of globalisation on the political autonomy of states; the future of multilateralism; the accountability, representativeness and legitimacy of international organisations and international regimes and the challenge of democratising global governance; the role of non-state actors and civil society; and the challenge of coordinating and harmonising an increasingly dense network of international organisations and regimes.

This seminar will focus on human rights and its critics from a historical and comparative perspective. We will explore the factors that have given rise to radically different conception of rights and justice (i.e. political, economic, cultural, religious, ideological) and look at their implementation and the obstacles at the local, national, and international levels. What is the relationship and relevance of the international human rights movement to local notions of rights? What impact is this having on local gender relations and the relationships of women to their states and communities? Are human rights NGOs weakening or strengthening the nation-states in Southeast Asia. are they sites of resistance or complicity? The seminar introduces students to different conceptions of rights, and social justice, including feminist critiques of rights discourse and of 'development', ethnographic studies on the relationship between attitudes towards bodily integrity and human rights, the debates about poverty, economic development and access to adequate health care as human rights. We shall draw upon a wide range of sources from theoretical works, philosophical and anthropological critiques of rights discourse, and NGO documents. On completion of the subject students should have a broad historical, comparative and critical perspective on the debates about rights and justice in Southeast Asia.