Foundations of International Relations – Power, War and Peace

The entire history of international relations exists somewhere between the parameters of war and peace. Fundamental to both war and peace is the concept of power: the capacity of one actor to make another do something out of the ordinary.

Through engaging online modules and a dynamic on-campus workshop, this Learn for Credit course will provide you with critical insights into global power dynamics and prepare you to analyse contemporary international issues shaping war, diplomacy and peace.

You can choose to participate in just the in-person workshops, or complete the full course through the workshop, online modules and additional readings and assessment.

For-credit subject

This experience can provide credit towards a university subject. Contact us to find out how students can complete five experiences and apply for credit for one 10cp subject into a Bond University undergraduate degree and obtain two points towards their Queensland Certificate of Education.

Course Information

This course is delivered via three interactive online modules and an in-person, five-hour practical workshop. Learning at your own pace, you will discover the intertwined nature of power, war, and peace, which will ultimately provide you with a foundational understanding of the modern international relations system. 

This course is delivered via three online modules: 

  • The Power and the State
  • The War
  • The Peace

Students will also complete a five-hour practical workshop about the virtue of a just war. 

You can choose to participate in just the in-person workshops, or complete the full course through the workshop, online modules and additional readings and assessment.

Designed for: High school students in Years 11 and 12 

Delivery: On campus/online

Learning time: A total of 25 hours of learning, consisting of: 

  • 8 hours of online modules on the Bond Learner platform
  • 5 hours face-to-face on campus (Gold Coast and Brisbane locations)
  • 12 hours of additional readings and assessment 

Cost: $50

Location: Bond University Gold Coast campus

Course Dates

Practical workshop date: Thursday, 30 September, 2027

Registration closes: Thursday, 23 September, 2027

REGISTER NOW

Who should take this course?

Students interested in understanding the dynamics of international relations should take this course. It’s ideal for those who want to explore the balance between war and peace and delve into the concept of power — the ability of one actor to influence another’s actions. This course is perfect for anyone curious about how power shapes global interactions and decisions.

Learning outcomes
  • Identify the causes of war and how the modern state conceptualises power within the international relations system.
  • Identify alternate points of view regarding the concept of peace.
  • Reflect on the way global problems can affect individuals differently.

This course is delivered via three interactive online modules and an in-person, five-hour practical workshop. Learning at your own pace, you will discover the intertwined nature of power, war, and peace, which will ultimately provide you with a foundational understanding of the modern international relations system. 

This course is delivered via three online modules: 

  • The Power and the State
  • The War
  • The Peace

Students will also complete a five-hour practical workshop about the virtue of a just war. 

You can choose to participate in just the in-person workshops, or complete the full course through the workshop, online modules and additional readings and assessment.

Designed for: High school students in Years 11 and 12 

Delivery: On campus/online

Learning time: A total of 25 hours of learning, consisting of: 

  • 8 hours of online modules on the Bond Learner platform
  • 5 hours face-to-face on campus (Gold Coast and Brisbane locations)
  • 12 hours of additional readings and assessment 

Cost: $50

Location: Bond University Gold Coast campus

High School study areas

Modern History

Read more

Meet your educator

Assistant Professor Mark Dinnen

Dr Mark Dinnen is Assistant Professor of International Relations at Bond University. His teaching responsibilities include Introduction to International Relations, Geopolitics, Australian Public & Foreign Policy, and The United Nations. After co-creating a simulation software platform, the Global Strategic Operation Centre, Mark was awarded a seed grant from the Australian Office of Learning and Teaching. The grant allowed Dr Dinnen to lead a team of academics investigating the role of Model United Nations Conferences in developing employability skills in learners and the potential for technology to intensify that development.

Dr Dinnen is the founder and coordinator of the Bond University Model UN Program (BondMUNs), which led him to be recognised with the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning through Sustained Innovation and an Award for Teaching Excellence Citation from the Australian Awards for University Teaching. The program is also responsible for planning and executing the annual Bond University High School Model United Nations Conference.

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