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Deakin University

Master of International Relations (Professional)

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Master of International Relations (Professional)
Course Map	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023 Conflict and Security Specialisation Diplomacy and Activism Specialisation Human Rights and International Law Specialisation These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023 Conflict and Security Specialisation Diplomacy and Activism Specialisation Human Rights and International Law Specialisation 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)
Online	Yes
Duration	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	108401H Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	A735
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

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. 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.

Research information

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

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

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose 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. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our 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 and apply findings in scholarly practice and in professional practice settings.
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 diverse range of audiences in scholarly academic settings and professional contexts.
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 in scholarly academic and professional contexts.
Critical thinking	Analyse, critically evaluate, and synthesise theoretical conceptualisations of international politics and policy responses by a range of actors, including those in professional practice settings, 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, professional practice 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 and from others in the field of International Relations and from other backgrounds including in a professional setting 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, considering 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 with a specialisation, a student must successfully complete 16 credit points as follows:

AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
6 credit points of core units *
10 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

Specialisations

Students who complete a specialisation of four or more 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

Course Electives

Course structure

Core Units

The United Nations and International Organisation

Human Rights in World Politics

International Relations Theory

Contemporary International Politics

Security and Strategy

Internship A

Pathways

Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway

Research Design

Plus 2 credit points of research units:

Minor Thesis A

Minor Thesis B

Plus 7 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Research Paper – non PhD Pathway ^

Research Paper

Plus 9 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway ^

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Plus 8 credit points chosen from the specialisations and/or course electives

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

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), Online

Units

China and the World

International Conflict Analysis

Terrorism in International Politics

Plus

Research Design

Minor Thesis A

and

Minor Thesis B

OR

Research Paper

OR

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Diplomacy and Activism

Unit Set Code

SP-A703DIP

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online

Units

Australian Foreign Policy

Transnational Activism and Policy

Political Communication

Plus

Research Design

Minor Thesis A

and

Minor Thesis B

OR

Research Paper

OR

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Human Rights and International Law

Unit Set Code

SP-A703HUM

Campuses

Burwood (Melbourne), Online

Units

Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector

Global Political Economy

Human Rights in World Politics

Plus

Research Design

Minor Thesis A

and

Minor Thesis B

OR

Research Paper

OR

Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

Course Electives

Units

Global Crime, Prevention and Responses

Gender and Development

Sustainability and Development

Dynamics and Dilemmas of the Humanitarian Sector

Political Communication

China and the World

Australian Foreign Policy

International Conflict Analysis

Transnational Activism and Policy

Human Rights in World Politics

Global Political Economy

Terrorism in International Politics

Research Design

Internship Capstone

Public International Law

AIR729 Human Security in Global Politics [No longer available for enrolment]

AIR753 Regionalism in International Politics [No longer available for enrolment]

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.