Bachelor of International Studies
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of International Studies |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 075375D Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | A326 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Major sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Dive into diverse cultures and build a global career by studying Deakin’s Bachelor of International Studies. If you are interested in different cultures, languages and perspectives outside of your own, this experience-rich course gives you a deep understanding of the international forces shaping the world today. The Bachelor of International Studies is a degree that can take you anywhere.
Gain an understanding of globalisation and development, global power and capitalism and build your intercultural communication skills through core units. Combine these foundation skills with specialised study in your area of interest and add value to your degree through one of our many international experiences.
Ready to create a global career?
First-hand experiences in other countries and cultures let you develop the practical and soft skills required to pursue a global career. You might see yourself studying at an overseas university, completing an in-person or virtual internationally focussed internship in Australia or overseas, mastering a new language through an In-Country Language Program or completing a short study tour*.
It’s this international experience, combined with engaging course content delivered by teachers with extensive industry experience, that allows you to develop a systematic understanding of other cultures and societies. Feel confident about analysing and interpreting the international forces shaping government, business and community life in contemporary Australia, and impress employers with intercultural skills and experience.
Get even more out of your degree by choosing from nine majors to match your unique career aspirations. Your major allows you to become an expert in a specialty area, and the knowledge you’ll build will act as a bridge between you and your dream job.
*Overseas study programs to be confirmed in 2022 and beyond, subject to government travel restrictions.
Career opportunities
The professional, social and personal experiences on offer throughout this course prepare you for employment in a range of areas in the private and public sector including:
- businesses with an international orientation
- communications
- defence
- diplomacy
- education
- finance
- immigration
- NGOs with regional and global links
- trade and aid.
If you’re considering further study, Deakin’s honours program and postgraduate pathways can open up a world of research and employment opportunities in Australia and abroad.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Elective units may be selected that include work-based training or community-based learning. Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Diploma of Arts (A215) |
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Review, analyse and apply key concepts in International Studies relating to international politics and society, globalisation and development, intercultural competency, global citizenship and professional development with reference to one or more Social Science disciplinary perspectives and appropriate theories and technical knowledge. |
| Communication | Apply learnings from personal and professional development in diverse organizational contexts to effectively communicate cross-cultural ideas, arguments and analyses to diverse audiences using a range of different mediums. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of digital technologies and platforms to conduct research, engage in discussion and debate, document personal and professional skills and attributes, communicate effectively with and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences within and outside the field of International Studies. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse and critically evaluate conceptual and theoretical approaches to issues of international politics and society, intercultural competency, global citizenship, and professional development in the context of an increasingly complex globalised world that requires appreciation of local, national, regional and international dynamics and their interactions. |
| Problem solving | Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with appropriate Social Science methods of research and analysis to systematically investigate and generate context-sensitive and pragmatic solutions to complex real-world problems. |
| Self-management | Exercise autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a sustained and ongoing commitment to learning and skill development in International Studies contexts including but not limited to communities of practice and scholarship. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively and productively with others in the field of International Studies and with stakeholders from other disciplines and backgrounds to achieve shared goals. |
| Global citizenship | Analyse and respond appropriately to issues of cultural, social and political inequity; the transferability of knowledge and skills in different geographic, knowledge and organisational contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and adherence to professional and academic ethical standards. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2020 | |
Course rules
Student must successfully complete 24 credit points of study including:
- 6 core units
- a major selected from the major sequences listed below
- no more than 8 credit points taken outside the Faculty of Arts and Education
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- at least 2 credit points of approved international experience such as:
- trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
- international internship (AIS330) or (AIS331)
- in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian, Arabic, or Spanish)
- approved study abroad program or approved study tour (AIS203), (AIR292*) or other
- approved onshore internship with an international organisation (available for (AIS330) only)
- 2 credit points of consecutive language units other than an in-country language program (AIB151 & AIB152; AIB251 & AIB252; AIC181 & AIC182; AIC281 & AIC282; AIC283 & AIC284; AIF146 & AIF142; AIF241 & AIF242; AIF341 & AIF342; AIF145; ALS100 & ALS150; ALS200 & ALS250) can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Notes:
(i) Students enrolled in D338 or D323 are not able to accommodate AIS331 International Internship B (4 credit points) within the 16 credit points allocated to the Bachelor of International Studies. However, AIS330 International Internship A (2 credit point) placements can be for up to 12-weeks if desired. Please contact the Unit Chair for further information.
(ii) It is envisaged that students would complete the international experience in the third or fourth year of their course.
* Unit no longer available for enrolment
Major sequences
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Middle East Studies *
* Only for students who commenced in or prior to Trimester 1 2022
Course structure
Core units
| AIS101 | Intercultural Communication |
| AIS102 | Working in International Contexts (previously AIS201) |
| AIR200 | Global Capitalism and Power |
| AIS204 | Gender, Globalisation and Development |
| AIS303 | International Studies Capstone Portfolio |
| AIS304 | International Futures |
International Experience
All students must complete at least 2 credit points of international experience, selected from one or more of the following:
- trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
- international internship (AIS330 or AIS331)
- in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian, Arabic, or Spanish)
- approved study abroad program or approved study tour (AIS203 or other)
- approved onshore internship with an international organisation (available for AIS330 only).
- 2 credit points of consecutive language units other than an in-country language program can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement
| AIS203 | Immersion Program: Japanese Politics, Society and Culture |
Further information on the international student experience and on previous students' overseas internships is available at: www.deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/internships/bis/map
Students seeking to undertake an internship will enrol in the appropriate unit (either AIS330 or AIS331) once the Unit Chair has approved their planned placement.
| AIS330 | International Internship A (2 credit points) |
Or
| AIS331 | International Internship B (4 credit points) |
AIS330, AIS331 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third level (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Services and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
For further information regarding the in-country language programs, refer to the major sequences in Indonesian, Chinese and Arabic.
Work experience
This course includes completion of least 2 credit points of international experience, selected from one or more of the following:
- Trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
- International internship (AIS330 or AIS331) *in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian or Arabic)
- Approved study abroad program or approved study tour (AIS203 or other)
- Approved onshore internship with an international organisation (available for AIS330 only).
- 2 credit points of consecutive language units other than an in-country language program can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement
Other course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
All students are required to complete a minimum of 2 credit points of international experience (see International Experience, above)