Introduction to Global Politics

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
POLI 1001
Course ID icon
Course ID
201077
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Adelaide City Campus West, Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Society and Culture
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Daniel Biro
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course provides students with the analytical skills to study the fundamental interactions between state and non-state actors in global politics, both historically and contemporarily. It introduces essential concepts such as power, balance of power, statehood, and sovereignty. Additionally, the course covers the evolution of the modern state system and the primary schools of thought in contemporary International Relations. Students will also explore various aspects of global governance, including international law and international regimes like those concerning human rights and weapons non-proliferation. 

  • Foundations of Global Politics
  • Actors and Institutions in Global Politics
  • Contemporary Issues in Global Politics

Course learning outcomes

  • Identify the main arguments of scholarly works relating to a range of global issues utilising various credible sources
  • Define major concepts in global politics as covered in this course and describe their use within the main traditions of thinking about international politics
  • Explain historical and contemporary international political behaviour drawing on the main traditions and concepts of international and global politics from this course
  • Compare and contrast the characteristics, functions, and interactions of different actors in international politics
  • Discuss contested concepts and controversial events in International Politics constructively and respectfully in small groups
  • Analyse causes and effects in international politics, presenting evidence for specific interpretations within real-world scenarios following independent research.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 59610
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 210
Available
Available 196
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 13 Nov - Adelaide City Campus East ,
Class number
Class number 59119
Section
Section SE01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
Class number
Class number 59120
Section
Section SE02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 29
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
Class number
Class number 59121
Section
Section SE03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
Class number
Class number 59122
Section
Section SE04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
Class number
Class number 59123
Section
Section SE05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
Class number
Class number 59124
Section
Section SE06
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 10:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
Class number
Class number 59125
Section
Section SE07
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 26
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 522A

Magill

Class number
Class number 59611
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 180
Available
Available 180
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 13 Nov - Magill ,
Class number
Class number 56777
Section
Section SE01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 9:10am - 11am Magill Building B, B2-52B
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 9:10am - 11am Magill Building B, B2-52B
Class number
Class number 56778
Section
Section SE02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Magill Building C, C1-41
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Magill Building C, C1-41
Class number
Class number 54727
Section
Section SE03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
Class number
Class number 54728
Section
Section SE04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Magill Building B, B2-52B
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 2:10pm - 4pm Magill Building B, B2-52B
Class number
Class number 59025
Section
Section SE05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
Class number
Class number 59026
Section
Section SE06
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 11:10am - 1pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 11:10am - 1pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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