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Rating

Total average

74.6/100
Learning Materials ( 74 )
Learning Activities ( 75.9 )
Blackboard Management ( 73 )
Course Content ( 84.6 )
Course Structure ( 66.3 )
Contact Availability ( 79.6 )
Course Difficulty ( 60 )

Reviews (7)

Anonymous
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 74.6

This course incited my interest in political science and international relations spectacularly. I took a keen interest in politics before, but I've truly become immersed in this world of POLSIS.

And that's simply because this is a fantastic course, with a fantastic lecturer and (in my case) a fantastic tutor. The course content is incredibly interesting, though some people may find the incessant focus upon ideologies and theories within the readings somewhat tiring. I know I sure didn't; being handed multiple lenses of which I can observe current international affairs was something I truly enjoyed, as I was discovering a multitude of answers to my questions.

The tutorials are a must. Not only because turning up to at least 10 of them and participating in discussion/notes gives you a whopping 30 marks to your final grade, but because the tutors really are very helpful. You also get a comprehensive rundown of that week's content, if it somehow didn't stick with you in the lecture/readings.

I would also strongly recommend watching or attending the lectures. While yes, Jean-Louis has a thick french accent, and yes, he occasionally jumps up on tables and exclaims in the middle of his sentences, the conviction and presentation of the content in the lectures is phenomenal. There were times where I would be completely consumed by his explanations of the atrocities of humankind, and the solutions we devise to deal with such atrocities. Great lecturer.

Additionally, this course isn't overwhelmingly challenging. It's a great introduction to International Politics that doesn't ask the world of you. It does have a final exam and a major essay, but so long as you know your stuff and study for a little while, you'll be fine.

If you've got even a slight interest in politics or international relations, I would implore you to enrol into this course.
Semester taken

Semester 1 - 2015

Your program/major

BA

Is lecture attendance necessary?

Yes - watch echo, at least

Is the textbook necessary?

Yes

Positives
  • Interesting course content
  • Great introductory course
  • Good lecturer/tutors
Negatives No negative points
Posted on July 28, 2015 3:22 pm
Anonymous
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 80.7

As someone who isn't really into politics, I found it quite interesting to learn more about the world in general from a political point of view. The course has changed my mind about international politics and the content is shaped around current events. Having Jean-Louis as both a lecturer and tutor, I found him to be very enthusiastic and passionate about the subject. He does try his best to make politics interesting to all students even if he may stray from the topic at times.

In terms of assessment, the minor essay was probably the easiest especially with an entire lecture and tutorial dedicated towards it which helped me a lot with getting it together in just a week. However, the major essay, despite being 40% or something towards the overall grade, was not even covered during the lectures or tutorials. Help was only provided if you asked for it and though that may be good for some, I feel like it should be covered for something that counts towards your overall grade. The final exam was very similar to past exams online and the final lecture provides you with all the topics that will be on the exam so it's easy to prepare for.
Semester taken

Semester 2 - 2014

Your program/major

Bachelor of Arts

Is lecture attendance necessary?

No

Is the textbook necessary?

Yes - but not the Global Politics one

Positives
  • Lecturer makes the subject bearable despite trailing off a bit at times.
  • Amount of assistance for the minor essay
  • Final exam is similar to past exams online
Negatives
  • Not enough help for the major essay.
Posted on December 13, 2014 10:16 pm
Anonymous
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 64.7

Took it as an elective. Tutor (Chris) is awesome and made tutes really fun if slightly unproductive. Jean Louis is fun for the first lecture (maybe) - it's cool to see a lecturer stand on a table I guess. However, he is a pretty unclear lecturer, and his rambling style made it impossible to concentrate in lectures - stopped going after week three. Luckily, the slides are pretty complete, and the textbook has what the slides don't (also wikipedia is your friend). Assignments were a bit of work but not too bad overall. Marking rubric is vague. Guidance for each of the assignments (that require a solid amount of time to write) was given a week before the assignments were due - not enough time to write a solid quality essay for some.
Semester taken

Semester 2 - 2014

Your program/major

Bachelor of Science

Is lecture attendance necessary?

No

Is the textbook necessary?

Yes

Positives
  • Content is not too challenging
  • Tutors are good
Negatives
  • Lecturer is impossible to listen to
  • Grading of tutes is problematic
  • Guidance for major/minor essay absent
Posted on November 7, 2014 8:46 pm
Anonymous
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 71.3

Very interesting, relevant course. JL is a wonderful, if occasionally absent-minded, lecturer. However, the marking discrepancy between tutors and dramatic increase in difficulty between the minor and major essays was disconcerting.

Semester taken

Semester 1 - 2014

Your program/major

BArts

Is lecture attendance necessary?

yes

Is the textbook necessary?

yes

Positives
  • tutorials very interesting
  • interesting content
  • engaging lecturer & tutors
Negatives
  • lecture slides late & incomplete
  • not much guidance for major essay
  • course sequencing poor
Posted on July 19, 2014 8:44 pm
Anonymous
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 94.7

A very interesting and engaging subject. Disregard what the other person said about the lecturer, they are clearly misguided. You leave the course feeling like you actually understand something about politics and the exam is a fair assessment of this knowledge. The lecturer, Dr. Jean-Louis Durand, is a very insightful, energetic and engaging teacher who makes the course fun and intriguing and will (as was mentioned before) stand on desks, or duel with invisible gladiators to make his point clear. Definitely worth it. However, and you'll find this with POLS1301 as well, nothing makes the majority of the readings bearable, they are mostly boring and dry.

Semester taken

Semester 1 - 2014

Your program/major

Bachelor of International Studies

Positives
  • Lecturer
  • Interesting
  • Feel more knowledgeable post-studing
Negatives
  • Some of the assignments were not that fun
  • Readings are still pretty bad
Posted on June 25, 2014 4:59 pm
Vanessa
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 82.0

Jean-Louis once stood on a table to make a point clear, he makes learning about the theories behind political relations more than bearable.

2nd semester exam is easier, do the readings, and be prepared to discuss ideas in the lectures.
Positives No positive points
Negatives No negative points
Posted on February 15, 2014 1:39 pm
Anonymous
   
POLS1201 – Introduction to International Relations 54.2

The lecturer wasted so much time in the lectures. It really was a juvenile experience as if he was trying to engage with year 9 students.

Would not recommend this course if it is not compulsory for you.
Positives No positive points
Negatives No negative points
Posted on February 15, 2014 1:38 pm

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