International Relations - IRELA14765
Stream Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Law
School: School of Social Sciences
Contact: School of Social Sciences
Program: 4765 - International Studies / Law
Award(s):
Bachelor of International Studies (Major)
View stream information for previous years
Stream Outline
A contemporary, dynamic, discipline, International Relations is the study of politics at the international, cross-national, transnational, regional, and global, level. Although a relatively modern discipline, it is one of increasing relevance in the contemporary world because of what can be broadly termed globalization. We are constantly reminded of the impact of international relations on everyday lives from climate change to agricultural trade, from terrorism to refugees. A major stream in International Relations is therefore at the cutting edge of current concerns. The solutions to many national problems are now intricately linked with regional and international treaties and conventions. International Relations is most closely related to the study of Politics but it is has links with other disciplines, including International History, Economics, and Law. UNSW has research strength in several sub-disciplines of International Relations, including International Political Economy, and the Politics of International Law.
Students graduating from UNSW with a major stream in International Relations should be able to demonstrate:
Students graduating from UNSW with a major stream in International Relations should be able to demonstrate:
- a knowledge of key actors and their functions in world politics as well as their place within political system;
- a knowledge of key concepts and terms used within International Relations
- an understanding of alternative theoretical approaches to the study of world politics of both a normative and positive character as well as the strengths and weakness of these approaches;
- an appreciation of the historical evolution of both world politics and the study of world politics
Students will also develop discipline-specific and generic social science skills, including being able to:
- respond to a piece of writing on International Relations, identifying its strengths and weaknesses;
- distinguish among theoretical, conceptual, and empirical lines of enquiry;
- contribute to the discussion of political and ethical issues in a reasoned manner;
- undertake research, using both traditional, and technological sources;
- communicate ideas fluently, develop a reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement;
- write in a style used within this discipline;
- reflect on their own learning and seek to make use of constructive feedback
Stream Structure
A student who wishes to gain a major stream in International Relations must complete 54 units of credit including 12 UOC at level 1, at least 18 UOC at level 2 of which 12 UOC must be derived from the courses specified and at least 18 UOC at level 3 including the capstone course
Level 1
- ARTS1810 Intro to IR (6 UOC)
- ARTS1811 Contemporary Issues in IR (6 UOC)
Level 2
Students must complete two of the three courses:
And at least one of the following courses:
The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the International Relations major stream:
Level 3
International Relations Courses:
- ARTS3783 Great and Emerging Powers (6 UOC)
- ARTS3812 Theorising IPE (6 UOC)
- ARTS3814 Australian Foreign Policy (6 UOC)
- ARTS3816 US, China and Intl Law (6 UOC)
- ARTS3817 The Middle East (6 UOC)
- ARTS3819 Emerging Security Challenges (6 UOC)
The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the International Relations stream:
International Relations Capstone course (Compulsory)
- ARTS3810 IR: Theory and Practice (6 UOC)
