Humanities and Social Sciences

School of Social Sciences

International Relations

What is International Relations?

Traditionally, the study of International Relations has been concerned with the relations of states, and international society was generally understood to mean the system of sovereign states. Attention has also focused on such actors as inter-governmental organizations, and a range of non-state actors, including transnational corporations. However, the accelerating pace of change in world affairs has seen the number and diversity of actors grow and the interactions become increasingly complex. International Relations can no longer be studied in isolation from domestic politics, culture, or economy. As a broad field of study, International Relations now draws on many disciplines. Though politics remains central other disciplines make a vitally important contribution, in particular history, law, economics, philosophy, psychology, anthropology and sociology. The study of International Relations is now best understood as the study of flows – flows of people, ideas, images, symbols, information, technology, money, capital and arms –across political, cultural and economic boundaries.

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Teaching

At La Trobe, responsibility for the teaching of International Relations lies primarily in the School of Social Sciences, Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus. It is here that the Bachelor of International Relations is coordinated and administered. However, many subjects from other disciplines form an integral part of the degree.

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International Students

For further information about application procedures and La Trobe University you can obtain an international undergraduate prospectus from the International Programs Office.

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Career Opportunities

There are very wide career opportunities in International Relations. These range from obvious career paths such as working in specialized government departments (e.g. Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence, Prime Minster and Cabinet) and specialized intergovernmental agencies (e.g. UN system, World Health Organisation, international courts and tribunals) to professional organisations, local, national and international non-governmental organisations (e.g. OXFAM, Amnesty International, Red Cross), media, the corporate sector, research centres, think-tanks and academic institutions.

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Community Engagement

The program at La Trobe has a very strong presence in the community. Several key members of the program are frequent contributors to public debate. In addition, the School of Social Sciences hosts the Politics Society which organizes regular speakers on many aspects of politics and international relations. These events are open to all. The Program also maintains close links with the newly formed University Centre for Dialogue, and with a wide range of organisations in the professional, corporate, media and community sectors, many of which host students in the placement year of the Bachelor of International Relations.

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