Bachelor of International Relations
A2020BInterRel
- Credit points
- 144
- Duration
- 3 yr full-time
- Qualification
- Level 7 - Bachelor Degree
- Faculty
- Faculty of Arts
- Campus
- Clayton
The Bachelor of International Relations examines the dynamics of power, governance, conflict, and cooperation at the local, national and global levels. In this course, you will study how national and global political institutions operate, how and why conflict and cooperation occur, and the role that power, political ideas, material resources, civil society, and historical legacies play in shaping the opportunities and the constraints for political actors, institutions, states and the wider structure of the international system. You will be taught how to explain and anticipate political behaviour, analyse the impact of political decisions, and to interpret the complexities and the interdependencies of national and international systems in an interconnected and ever-changing world. In addition to acquiring disciplinary training and knowledge on international relations, this course offers five elective streams: i) Peace, conflict and security; ii) Policy and governance; iii) Comparative politics; iv) Development, rights and gender; and v) Climate futures. These elective streams are designed to deepen your expertise on those areas of international relations and politics in which you plan to pursue your future career. The knowledge and the skills acquired through this course will provide you with the ability to interpret, analyse and affect political change in constantly evolving global and national contexts. You will be encouraged to develop your skills of critical and analytical thinking, teamwork, communication, intercultural competence, applied research skills and to use them to address the pressing challenges in international relations. You will also have the opportunity to enrich your degree by honing your academic and professional skills through a range of flagship rich educational experiences (FREE). For more information on eligibility please see FREE.
Structure
The course comprises 144 credit points, of which 96 credit points are international relations studies and 48 credit points are free electives. To satisfy the requirements of the Bachelor of International Relations you must complete 144 credit points as specified in the course requirements including: - a maximum of 60 credit points at Level 1; and - a minimum of 36 credit points at Level 3. Note 1. Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated. Note 2. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code.
You must complete 24 credit points from the following units or from the remaining units from Part A. that you have not yet completed, with at least 12 credit points at Level 3. Units are grouped into areas of interest. You may choose units from one area or across multiple areas to tailor your degree. The same units may appear in multiple areas/parts however each unit can only be credited once toward the degree.
You must complete 48 credit points of free elective study. Units not completed in Part B are recommended as they will enable you to further your knowledge in international relations more broadly. Free elective units may be chosen from the faculty or across the University as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on admission to the units. The units may be at any level ensuring that the course rules are satisfied for the Bachelor of International Relations. You can enrich your degree by using some of your free electives to take a study tour, field trip or exchange opportunity. You can also use this space to hone your academic and professional skills with an internship or a range of practical units. See Arts enrichment and Intercultural studies list of units to discover the breadth of options available. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties. If you are enrolled in a double degree course, some units required for the other degree are credited as electives towards the international relations degree.