Master of International Relations
2020 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2020 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of International Relations |
| Course Map | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2020: These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2020: These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2020: Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 0101370 Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | A703 |
| 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 9. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Specialisations
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
Course overview
Get high-level skills in theoretical and empirical analysis to interpret global issues.
This course is ideal if you work in public service, the private sector or for a small business, as you’ll learn how international forces shape your environment.
You’ll develop skills in policy analysis, get a systematic understanding of the threats to peace and security, and global forces shaping political, social and economic life.
The Master of International Relations aims to produce graduates who are able to demonstrate high-level skills of theoretical and empirical analysis and interpret global issues and events. This course will give you a substantial understanding of the complexities of contemporary international relations.
You’ll examine key contemporary issues and developments around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. The program also offers optional postgraduate internships, giving you the opportunity to get experience overseas.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities for international relations graduates exist in all levels of government, private sector corporations and small business, non-government organisations, the media, consultancy, the defence forces, foreign affairs departments, immigration departments, management consultancies, multicultural associations, education, health, politics and research.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
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
| Graduate Diploma of International Relations (A603) |
Research information
Students will complete a research project in 1 of the 3 following options:
- a 1 credit point research project; or
- a 2 credit point research project; or
- a 4 credit point research project developed in consultation with a supervisor from the relevant discipline.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Review and analyse major theoretical, conceptual and policy debates and disputes in International Relations pertaining to foreign policy, conflict and security, international and regional politics, globalisation, and international law with reference to empirical cases. |
| Communication | Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of International Relations theories, concepts and their application to real-world contexts, in a selection of written, oral and digital formats, to a range of audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of digital communication technologies and platforms appropriately to conduct research, engage in debate, communicate findings, and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse, critically evaluate and synthesise theoretical conceptualisations of international politics and policy responses by a range of actors in the context of the changing international political system. |
| Problem solving | Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with appropriate Social Science methods of research and analysis to investigate complex real-world problems in a systematic manner and generate and evaluate potential responses to issues in the areas of conflict and security, globalization, international crises and risks, foreign policy and international law. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development personally, academically and professionally in the field of International Relations. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively with others in the field of International Relations and from other backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for their own learning. |
| Global citizenship | Analyse and respond to issues in global politics in domestic, regional and international contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into account cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and adherence to professional and academic ethical standards. |
| Approved by Faculty Board May 2019 | |
Course rules
To be awarded a Master of International Relations a student must successfully complete 8 credit points as follows:
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 3 core units
- 5 credit points of study combining research and course elective^ units (selected from Option 1, 2 or 3*)
^Course Elective units may be used to form a specialisation
*Options 2 and 3 will meet the thesis requirements for admission to a PhD pathway
Specialisations
Students who complete a specialisation of 4 or 5 credit points will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Specialisations are available in the following areas:
Human Rights and International Law **
*Trimester 3 study is required
** Available as a part-time study option for Research Option 2
Course structure
Core Units
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Course structure
Options 1, 2 & 3
Option 1
- 1 credit point of research:
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
- 4 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or course electives
Option 2
- 2 credit points of research units:
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or course electives
Option 3
- 4 credit points of research units:
| AIX702 | Major Thesis A (2 credit points) |
| AIX703 | Major Thesis B (2 credit points) |
- plus
- 1 credit point of electives chosen from the specialisations or course electives
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Conflict and Security
Unit Set Code
SP-A703CON
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AIR701 | China and the World ** |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
Plus
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
or
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives
Details of specialisations
Course Electives
Units
| AIR701 | China and the World ** |
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy ** |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics ** |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy ** |
| AIR729 | Human Security in Global Politics |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
| AIR753 | Regionalism in International Politics |
| AIR790 | International Relations Internship |
**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives
Details of specialisations
Human Rights and International Law
Unit Set Code
SP-A703HUM
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy ** |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics ** |
| AIR729 | Human Security in Global Politics |
Plus
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
or
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives
Details of specialisations
Diplomacy and Activism
Unit Set Code
SP-A703DIP
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy ** |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIR753 | Regionalism in International Politics |
Plus
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
or
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
and
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
**Students who have previously completed this unit within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with a unit selected from the course electives
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
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
There are options for WIL and study tours across many of the SHSS courses.
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.