Master of International Relations

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2024 course information

Award granted Master of International Relations
Deakin course codeA703
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Online

For students who commenced prior to 2024 only

Duration1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code0101370 Burwood (Melbourne)

The final intake into this course version was in 2023.

Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course information.

For students who commenced prior to 2023, please refer to handbook archive for course structure information.

Course sub-headings

Alternative exits

Graduate Diploma of International Relations (A603)

Research information

Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:

  • Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
  • Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
  • Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students 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:

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • 2 core units
  • 6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper or Professional Experience Pathways^.

^Course Elective units may be used to form a specialisation

Course structure

Core Units

AIR707The United Nations and International Organisation

AIR748Security and Strategy

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

AIX706Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

AIX704Minor Thesis A

AIX705Minor Thesis B

Plus 3 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^

AIX701Research Paper

Plus 5 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^

APE701Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Plus 4 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

^The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.

Course Electives and Specialisations

To qualify for a specialisation within the Master of International Relations, a student must successfully complete 4-5 credit points of study from within that specialisation.

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:

Conflict and Security *

Diplomacy and Activism *

Human Rights and International Law **

*Trimester 3 study is required, Professional experience Trimester 1 intake part-time study only

** Available as a part-time study option for Research Option 2 in Trimester 1 & 2 only


Course Electives

Details of specialisations

Conflict and Security

Unit Set Code

SP-A703CON


Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AIR701China and the World **

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR732Terrorism in International Politics

Plus

AIX704Minor Thesis A

and

AIX705Minor Thesis B

OR

AIX701Research Paper

OR

APE701Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

**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


Diplomacy and Activism

Unit Set Code

SP-A703DIP


Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AIR712Australian Foreign Policy **

AIR720Transnational Activism and Policy

AIP781Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine? [replaces AIR753]

Plus

AIX704Minor Thesis A

and

AIX705Minor Thesis B

OR

AIX701Research Paper

OR

APE701Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

**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


Human Rights and International Law

Unit Set Code

SP-A703HUM


Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Units

AHA721Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles [replaces AIR729]

AIR728Global Political Economy **

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics **

Plus

AIX704Minor Thesis A

and

AIX705Minor Thesis B

OR

AIX701Research Paper

OR

APE701Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

**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


Course Electives

Units

ACR709Global Crime, Prevention and Responses

ADH714Gender, Race and Culture

ADH717Climate Change and Sustainability

AHA721Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles [replaces AIR729]

AIP781Political Communication: Public Watchdog Or Propaganda Machine? [replaces AIR753]

AIR701China and the World **

AIR712Australian Foreign Policy **

AIR717International Conflict Analysis

AIR720Transnational Activism and Policy

AIR726Human Rights in World Politics **

AIR728Global Political Economy **

AIR732Terrorism in International Politics

AIX706Research Design

APE700Internship A

MLJ734Public International Law

**Students who have previously completed any of these units within the Graduate Certificate of International Relations are required to substitute with an alternate unit from the course electives