Master of Arts (International Relations)

The Master of Arts (International Relations) is a 72-unit program offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. It requires two years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

This course articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in International Relations and the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in International Relations, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards. Candidates who have completed either of these courses are awarded credit for related topics.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of Study
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in International Relations (or approved equivalents) must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. The Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature, and may take into account relevant work experience.

Course aims

The Master of Arts (International Relations) aims to:

• provide a specialised postgraduate program in international relations for suitably qualified graduates
• provide appropriate professional education for current or prospective employees working in the areas of foreign affairs, defence, international trade and related areas
• provide advanced grounding in the academic debates and research literatures in the field of international relations and cognate subjects for students who intend to pursue doctoral studies and an academic career
• assist students to further develop skills in comprehension, research, bibliography, analysis, verbal argument and professional writing.

Learning outcomes

Graduates from this course should be able to:

• have a high level appreciation of the broad dimensions and content of the academic field of International Relations
• have a high level understanding of the key theoretical concepts, major historical themes and significant current issues within International Relations
• have an excellent appreciation of outstanding policy issues in International Relations
• have excellent skills in academic research, verbal argument and professional writing.

Program of Study

Every student must have their program of study approved by the Program Approver.

To qualify for the Master of Arts (International Relations), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

First Year (Graduate Diploma Year)

36 units comprised as follows:

Core - Year 1 topics

 INTR9071  International Relations: Theories and Debates  (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units selected from the following:

 INTR2001  Peace and War  (4.5 units)
 INTR2002  The Modern International System  (4.5 units)
 INTR2003  Political Economy of the Asia-Pacific Region  (4.5 units)
 INTR2006  Debating Human Rights  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

Select 22.5 units from the following:

 INTR9051  International Human Rights: Theory and Practice  (4.5 units)
 INTR9055  African Politics: Global Issues  (4.5 units)
 INTR9060  The Cultural Politics of Religion, Ethnicity and Nationalism  (4.5 units)
 INTR9061  Governance and the new Political Economy of East Asia  (4.5 units)
 INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development  (4.5 units)
 INTR9064  China and the Global Financial Crisis  (4.5 units)
 INTR9066  Empires and International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9067  Global Security in the Information Age: Issues and Debates  (4.5 units)
 INTR9070  Supervised Study in International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9072  Bibliographic Studies in International Relations  (9 units)

Second Year (MA Year)

36 units comprised as follows:

Core - Year 2 topics

 INTR9063  International Relations and World Politics  (9 units)

Compulsory Research Paper/Thesis

Select either:

 INTR9913  International Relations Research Paper (9 units), OR
 INTR9918  International Relations Research Thesis (18 units)

Students must make up the remaining units (for a total of 36 units) from the following:

Elective - Year 2 topics

 INTR9051  International Human Rights: Theory and Practice  (4.5 units)
 INTR9053  Japan in a Globalised World  (4.5 units)
 INTR9055  African Politics: Global Issues  (4.5 units)
 INTR9059  Intensive Summer School on Global Citizenship  (4.5 units)
 INTR9060  The Cultural Politics of Religion, Ethnicity and Nationalism  (4.5 units)
 INTR9061  Governance and the new Political Economy of East Asia  (4.5 units)
 INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development  (4.5 units)
 INTR9064  China and the Global Financial Crisis  (4.5 units)
 INTR9065  Advanced Studies in International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9066  Empires and International Relations  (4.5 units)
 INTR9067  Global Security in the Information Age: Issues and Debates  (4.5 units)