Master of Arts (International Relations)
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Arts (International Relations) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Arts (International Relations) is typically 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration.
Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period. |
| CRICOS course code | 084542G Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | A723 |
| 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. |
Pipelining course version | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- 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 Arts (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.
Research information
Students will undertake research training and complete a research project in one of the three following options:
- one credit points of research training in research design, and a one credit point research project;
- one credit point of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a two credit point research project; or
- two credit points of research training in research design and methods (qualitative or quantitative), and a four 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, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
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 2014 | |
Course rules
The Master of Arts (International Relations) is typically 8, 12 or 16 credit points.
The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money.
To be awarded a Master of Arts (International Relations) a student must successfully complete the following:
- 6 core units
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 10 credit points of study combining research and elective units in one of the following configurations:
Option 1 PhD Pathway
- 6 credit points of research project units (AIX706; AIX707 or AIX708; AIX702 (2cps); AIX703 (2cps))
- 4 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Option 2 Research Paper
- 3 credit points of research units (AIX704; AIX705; AIX706)
- 7 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Option 3 Research Project
- 2 credit point of research units (AIX701 and AIX706)
- 8 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Specialisations
Students who complete a specialisation of 4 credit points will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Specialisations are available in the following areas:
Asia-Pacific Regional Dynamics
Human Rights and International Law
International Political Economy and Global Governance
Transnational Activism and Civil Society
Course structure
Core Units
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR742 | International Relations Theory |
| AIR747 | Contemporary International Politics |
| AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
Options 1, 2 & 3
Option 1 PhD Pathway
| AIX702 | Major Thesis A (2 credit points) |
| AIX703 | Major Thesis B (2 credit points) |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Plus either
| AIX707 | Qualitative Research |
or
| AIX708 | Quantitative Research |
Plus 4 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Option 2 Research Paper
| AIX704 | Minor Thesis A |
| AIX705 | Minor Thesis B |
| AIX706 | Research Design |
Plus 7 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Option 3 Research Project
| AIX706 | Research Design |
| AIX701 | Research Paper |
Plus 8 electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
General electives
Units
| AIR790 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ADS701 | Introduction to International and Community Development |
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector |
Details of specialisations
Transnational Activism and Civil Society
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector (this unit replaces AIR729 from 2022) |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
| ALR718 | Public Relations, Activism and Social Change |
Details of specialisations
International Political Economy and Global Governance
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR720 | Transnational Activism and Policy |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
| AIR753 | Regionalism in International Politics |
Details of specialisations
Human Rights and International Law
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector (this unit replaces AIR729 from 2022) |
| AIR707 | The United Nations and International Organisation |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
Details of specialisations
Conflict and Security
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AHA721 | Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector (this unit replaces AIR729 from 2022) |
| AIR701 | China and the World |
| AIR717 | International Conflict Analysis |
| AIR732 | Terrorism in International Politics |
| AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
| AIR753 | Regionalism in International Politics |
Details of specialisations
Asia-Pacific Regional Dynamics
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
| AIR701 | China and the World |
| AIR712 | Australian Foreign Policy |
| AIR753 | Regionalism in International Politics |
| AIR748 | Security and Strategy |
| AIR728 | Global Political Economy |
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.