This Course provides students with a systematic introduction to the United Nations as a family of organisations facilitating complex patterns of diplomatic engagement in the 21st Century. It opens with a discussion of the emergence of the United Nations then moves on to explore the structure and function of key United Nations organisation and finally examines the involvement of the United Nations in a range of complex endeavours such as humanitarian assistance, intervention, conflict management, and peacebuilding in disrupted states. It concludes with a discussion of the prospects for reform of the United Nations system.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of how the United Nations system is organised and functions, including its history and evolution.
- Display effective analytical skills to work competently either in the United Nations offices or in diplomatic missions attached to the United Nations and its agencies.
- Use high-level research and writing skills to undertake self-directed study in the diplomacy and politics of the United Nations and effectively communicate findings to both an academic and policy audience.
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the complex role played by the United Nations in contemporary global politics.
- Aquire an appreciation for the promise and limitations of the United Nations, including prospects for reform.
Indicative Assessment
- Policy Essay - 2,000 Words (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research Essay - 3,000 Words (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Participation in class Discussion (10) [LO 1,2,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, both interactive/seminar based and independent research. The course comprises a maximum of 6k words of assessment or the equivalent.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
TBA
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.