Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts (International Relations)

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	Bachelor of Arts / Master of Arts (International Relations)
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Duration	4.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	092875J
Deakin course code	D305
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 7/9.
Pipelining course version from 2019. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Studying Deakin’s Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts (International Relations) develops your understanding of the key political dynamics of our time. International relations encompasses the study of policy-related dynamics such as diplomacy, foreign policy and global governance, as well as dynamics relating to questions of order, justice and resistance in world politics.

Do you want to know more about Australia’s position in the world of international relations?

Challenge perceptions, test theories and pose solutions to the relationships between countries throughout the world.

Choose to major in international relations (IR) as part of your Bachelor of Arts degree, then enhance your career options by advancing into a Master of Arts (International Relations). You’ll also be able to pair your international relations major with other majors or minors, creating unique combinations, which let you study electives that complement your IR major.

When completing your masters degree, choose a specialisation within IR and complete a research project that puts into practice all you’ve learnt throughout your studies. Your specialisation will mean you have the opportunity to delve into any aspect of IR and acquire advanced knowledge. Choose to specialise in:

Conflict and Security
Diplomacy and Activism
Human Rights and International Law

There is no better way to learn about IR than taking your studies overseas to different cultures and political climates, with opportunities to join study abroad and internship programs. Find yourself in China or South Korea, the UK or US and further develop your understanding of the changing nature of international relations.

You can even apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios by gaining professional experience through our work-integrated learning opportunities. Spend time immersing yourself in organisations including NGOs, agencies and private sector corporations and arm yourself with skills to take into the workplace.

Career opportunities

Graduate with a unique skill set that will set you apart from the rest. Find employment across a range of organisations including:

consulting agencies
defence forces
education
foreign affairs departments
immigration departments
media
multicultural associates
NGOs
private sector corporations
research.

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.

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 Bachelor of Arts	Course Learning Outcomes Master of Arts (International Relations)
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge in the Arts disciplines, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines or areas of practice.	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	Demonstrate highly developed skills in oral, written and electronic communication and the ability to communicate research outcomes, and produce scholarly papers.	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	Research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information using a range of appropriate technologies and resources in a rapidly-changing global environment.	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	Use critical and analytical thinking and judgment in selecting and applying appropriate theories and methodologies to evaluate information and knowledge about society, culture and the arts.	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	Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems in the Humanities, Social Sciences and the Creative Arts, including cross-disciplinary approaches.	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 and accountability for personal actions and a continued commitment to learning in personal, professional, and scholarly contexts.	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 colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community.	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	Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community.	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

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Years 1 to 3), students must complete 24 credit points as follows:

An approved Arts major sequence in International Relations
An approved Arts minor sequence of at least 4 credit points, or a second approved Arts major sequence of at least 8 credit points as listed below
No more than 10 credit points of units at level 1
A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3.

Note: Students completing minors in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian and Spanish are permitted to complete 4 cp across any 2 levels, i.e. students may complete 2 credit points at level 2 and 2 credit points at level 3

*Students must have completed 24 credit points of study successfully and achieved a WAM of 60 to continue through to the Master of Arts (International Relations). Students not having fulfilled this requirement are eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Arts as an alternative exit.

To qualify for the award of Master of Arts (International Relations), students must complete 12 credit points including two core units and one of the following streams:

- 2 core units AIR726 and AIR728

Option 1

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

3 credit points of research units (AIX704, AIX705, AIX706)
7 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Option 3

2 credit point of research units (AIX701 and AIX706)
8 credit points of electives chosen from the specialisations or general electives

Students must also complete AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Transition to University Study

The Faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work, that are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.

Major sequences

All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts are required to complete at least one Arts major sequence. Please see A300 Bachelor of Arts for available majors and minors.