Bachelor of International Relations
Course code/s: ABIR Melbourne
Course Convenor: Michael O'Keefe
Please note: this degree structure is only relevant for students commencing their degree in 2013 and those moving into second year in 2013. All other continuing students should refer to the ABIR structure relevant to their commencement year.
The Bachelor of International Relations (ABIR) will give you a comprehensive understanding of the political, strategic, economic, cultural, legal and organisational dynamics that shape international affairs. The ABIR is taught by passionate academics with extensive experience in policy development and implementation and aims to prepare students for a career in a globalised economy. You can specialise in subjects related to a specific geographic region (e.g. Europe or Asia) or a particular field (e.g. diplomacy or economics).
You will hone your critical analytical skills by applying them to real world problems and current affairs. Your will develop your communication and research skills and will have the option to study a language. There are also options to study at one of our numerous partner universities overseas to broaden your international experience and networks. (See the Overseas Study Opportunities link further below). The ABIR is also unique in so far as it includes opportunities for work placements in a wide variety of Australian government or non-government organisations. As such the ABIR will prepare you for a career in international economics, law, politics and social sciences and provide the additional skills necessary to excel in the international job market.
First year (120 credit points)
In first year, students must complete:
- POL1SNS and POL1EEH (15 credit points each), and
- at least 60 credit points at first year level from List A below and
- up to 30 credit points of electives at first year level from the faculty or anywhere within the university (pre-requisites permitting).
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Core subjects | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | States, Security and International Relations | POL1SNS |
| TE-SEM-2 | International Relations and the Global Economy | POL1EEH |
| List A | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Culture and Globalisation: introduction to anthropology | ANT1CAG |
| TE-SEM-1 | History of Globalisation | ECO1HOG |
| TE-SEM-1 | Introduction to Asia: Japan and Indonesia | AST1IJI |
| TE-SEM-1 | Law and Legal Consciousness | LST1LAS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Making of Modern Europe | HIS1MME |
| TE-SEM-2 | Australia and Beyond: introduction to sociology | SOC1AAB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Democracies and Dictatorships: Introduction to Comparative Politics | POL1DEM |
| TE-SEM-2 | Introduction to Asia: China and India | AST1ICI |
| TE-SEM-2 | Introductory Macroeconomics | ECO1IMA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Our Global Village: introduction to anthropology | ANT1FET |
Second year (120 credit points)
In second year, students study:
- POL2DPS and POL2TWP (15 credit points each), and
- at least 45 credit points at second year level from List B below and
- 15 credit points from subjects owned by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- up to 30 credit points of electives at second year level from the faculty or anywhere within the university (pre-requisites permitting).
Second year core subjects
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Diplomacy and Statecraft | POL2DPS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Theories of World Politics | POL2TWP |
Third year (120 credit points)
In third year, students must complete:
- POL3IPP (15 credit points)
- at least 60 credit points at third year level from List B below and
- 15 credit points at third year level from subjects owned by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- up to 30 credit points from the faculty or anywhere within the university (pre-requisites permitting).
Third year core subject
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Issues in World Politics | POL3IPP |
List B
All subjects 15 credit points unless otherwise stated
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Second year subjects | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Australian Foreign Policy | POL2AAW |
| TE-SEM-1 | International Politics of Climate Change: Triumph or Tragedy? (online) | POL2IPC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Contemporary Politics of the Asia-Pacific Region | POL2CPA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Global Environmental Politics | POL2GEP |
| TE-SEM-2 | International Law and International Organisation | POL2ILO |
| TE-SEM-2 | Migration, States and Society | POL2MSS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Nations and States | POL2NAS |
| TE-SEM-2 | The European Union | HIS2EUU |
| TE-SEM-2 | The Making of Modern Asia | AST2MMA |
| Third year subjects | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Australian Foreign Policy | POL3AAW |
| TE-SEM-1 | International Politics of Climate Change: Triumph or Tragedy? (online) | POL3IPC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Politics in the Twentieth Century (30 credit points) | POL3HON |
| TE-SEM-2 | Contemporary Politics of the Asia-Pacific Region | POL3CPA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Global Environmental Politics | POL3GEP |
| TE-SEM-2 | International Law and International Organisation | POL3ILO |
| TE-SEM-2 | Migration, States and Society | POL3MSS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Nations and States | POL3NAS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Professional Competence: transition to workplace (30 credit points) | POL3PCW |
| TE-SEM-2 | The European Union | HIS3EUU |
Subjects not available in 2013
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | China in the World: A Re-emerging Global Power | POL2CIW/POL3CIW |
| TE-SEM-1 | International Conflict, Religion and Culture | POL2CRC/POL3CRC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Political Change and Development in the Third World | POL2DDA/POL3DDA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Society and State in Japan and China | POL2EAS/POL3EAS |
| TE-SEM 1 | International Relations of the Middle East | POL2IME/POL3IME |
| TE-SEM-1 | South-East Asian Politics: change and conflict | POL2SEA/POL3SEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | American Politics | POL2IAP/POL3IAP |
| TE-SEM-2 | History of Modern Political Thought | POL2HMP/POL3HMP |
In addition to these subjects, students will be expected to participate in occasional workshops in first and second year. Students undertaking POL3PCW are required to attend a number of workshops in the semester prior to their enrolment to assist in arranging a placement.
Honours
Entry into the honours year is by application at the end of the student’s third year of full-time study. Entry is normally contingent on the following requirements: 1) obtaining a strong 70% average in their second and third year subjects; and 2) normally the completion of POL3HON, which is only available to students who achieve high results in their first two years of study.
In Honours student complete coursework subjects and a 12-15,000 word thesis on a topic within the field of international Relations. Either the Bachelor of International Relations Convenor, Dr Michael O’Keefe, or the Politics and International Relations Program convenor must approve choice of thesis topic.
Information in this handbook may be revised during the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences restructure process.
For further information about International Relations, please contact the Politics and International Relations Program by email at politics@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on (03) 9479 1287.