GOVT1105 Geopolitics (1 Viewer)

[Triangulum]

Surely out of the ~5000000 people doing this subject there must be a BOSer other than me. Any thoughts on Diarmuid's mumblings? Anyone been as nerdy as me and already read through the articles for the first assignment?

 

[Sarah168]

ohhh the memories of doing this subject more than 2 years ago -_____-

Maguire was reasonably likeable, if a little dry and monotonous (he was my tutor too) but I agree with the mumbling. The guy seems incapable of finishing his sentences

 

[Triangulum]

He seems like a reasonably funny guy imo ("My name's Diarmuid Maguire. It's pronounced like it's spelt."), but his soft voice combined with his use of one of the uni's shitty lapel mics that can't pick up sound beyond about 5cm makes him really hard to hear.

 

[ujuphleg]

Not to mention he has a habit of trailling off the end of sentences thus rendering everything you just strained so hard to hear completley useless.

Ah, its been 2 years since I did this course now - not one of my happier university memories I can assure you. Good luck!

 

[what971]

Didn't go to Lecture.

I don't see the point of 1st week lectures tbh. Don't they just read the UoS and let you go an hour early? Sif 1hr bus ride each way is worth that.

 

[KarmaKitten]

I just picked up this subject this week

so what are the textbooks needed for this topic?

Plus my blackboard hasn't updated yet to show me the details, so im in the dark!

 

[Triangulum]

I just picked up this subject this week

so what are the textbooks needed for this topic?

Plus my blackboard hasn't updated yet to show me the details, so im in the dark!

No textbook. Just get the reader from Kopystop, $25.

 

[KarmaKitten]

Thanks Triangulum.

My blackboard just updated itself and I was looking at the lecture notes, has he really already covered all those topics?

 

[Triangulum]

Thanks Triangulum.

My blackboard just updated itself and I was looking at the lecture notes, has he really already covered all those topics?

No, those powerpoints go up till about Week 5, I think. He's only done the first two. (Unfortunately there aren't any other notes and the powerpoints are incomprehensible without his narration, so they probably won't be much help.)

 

[what971]

No need for textbook? Awesome. $100 saved right there. I'm strapped for cash this year... :mad1:

 

[KarmaKitten]

Had my first tutorial.

It went alright, considering I havent gone to the lectures yet.

I'm still a bit unsure about hte major differences between IR and GeoPolitics, they seem to overlap heavily.

And any explanation that anyone has given me so far seems very similiar to IR

 

[Triangulum]

Had my first tutorial.

It went alright, considering I havent gone to the lectures yet.

I'm still a bit unsure about hte major differences between IR and GeoPolitics, they seem to overlap heavily.

And any explanation that anyone has given me so far seems very similiar to IR

I guess one of the differences is that IR often focuses primarily on states, while geopolitics looks at a broader range of scales and actors. And places more weight on geographical issues? Could be wrong. Who's your tutor?

 

[KarmaKitten]

My tutor is Anwar.

As for your comment about geopolitics
Yeah thats the definition that I thought was the most correct as well.

So the importance is geography in determining political events? Eg oil in the middle east causes a power battle.

I'm still getting my head around it. I am enjoying it though.

 

[Triangulum]

My tutor is Anwar.

As for your comment about geopolitics
Yeah thats the definition that I thought was the most correct as well.

So the importance is geography in determining political events? Eg oil in the middle east causes a power battle.

I'm still getting my head around it. I am enjoying it though.

My tutor is Sharni, who actually seems competent unlike most of my tutors last sem. So that's a pleasant change. I think your summary of it is about right.

 

[KarmaKitten]

Jeebus
Just managed to get the journals for the first assignment after searching for them for like 20 minutes.
So I guess I should be starting on them this weekend =/

 

[Triangulum]

Jeebus
Just managed to get the journals for the first assignment after searching for them for like 20 minutes.
So I guess I should be starting on them this weekend =/

Which topic are you doing?

 

[KarmaKitten]

I initially thought China
but now I am definately doing immigration, the hispanic challenge etc
What about you?

I went to today's lecture for the first time, I thought the lecture last 30minutes was the only useful bit

 

[Triangulum]

I initially thought China
but now I am definately doing immigration, the hispanic challenge etc
What about you?

I went to today's lecture for the first time, I thought the lecture last 30minutes was the only useful bit

China. And ditto on the lecture. Why did he need to tell us about how atomic bombs work?

 

[KarmaKitten]

China. And ditto on the lecture. Why did he need to tell us about how atomic bombs work?

Yes!

The whole thing reminded me of Year 11 Modern history, it was basically a run through of the cold war. With the last 10 minutes spent trying to loosely relate it to geopolitics.

Which for that matter, im still unclear how nuclear weapons relate to the matter. Is it because the new development of nuclear weapons changed/altered/threatened the balance of power? But how is this a geopolitical issue?

Im confused!

 

[KarmaKitten]

Has anyone started this yet?