Stream

International Relations - IRELC13573

Stream Summary

Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science

School: School of Social Sciences

Contact: School of Social Sciences

Program: 3573 - Commerce / Arts

Award(s):

Bachelor of Arts (Major)

View stream information for previous years

Stream Outline

THIS STREAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING FROM 2016.

A contemporary, dynamic, discipline, International Relations is the study of politics at the international, cross-national, transnational, regional, and global, levels. Although a relatively modern discipline, it is one of increasing relevance in the contemporary world because of the processes of globalisation. We are constantly reminded of the impact of international relations on everyday lives, such as climate change, agricultural trade, terrorism and refugees. 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 and so it is crucial to understand how states and non-state actors interact on the world stage.

A major stream in International Relations will equip you with an advanced understanding of contemporary international issues and an in-depth knowledge of relevant theoretical and conceptual debates. International Relations has links with other disciplines, such as Politics, Development Studies, International History, Economics, and Law. UNSW has research strengths in several sub-disciplines of International Relations, including International Political Economy, International Security, and the Politics of International Law. A major stream in International Relations pairs well with a minor stream in Politics, Development Studies, or Sociology & Anthropology.

Learning Outcomes for International Relations

Upon successful completion of an International Relations stream, you will be able to:
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical evolution of both world politics and the study of world politics;
  • exercise critical judgement in identifying significant events and actors in world politics and their impact or influence on political systems;
  • provide a coherent account of key concepts and terms used within the discipline of International Relations;
  • analyse world events from a range of theoretical perspectives and explain the strengths and weakness of these perspectives; and
  • produce scholarly contributions to contemporary debates about both the discipline of International Relations and the practices of global politics, showing expertise in one or more sub-fields of International Relations scholarship.

Stream Structure

If you wish to gain a major in International Relations, you must complete 60 units of credit including 12 UOC of core courses at Level 1, 24 UOC at Level 2 including a 6 UOC core course and 24 UOC at Level 3 including a 6 UOC core course.

Level 1

You must complete the following Level 1 core courses:

Level 2

You must complete the following Level 2 core course:
And EITHER 18 UOC from the following:
or 12 UOC from the above AND 6 UOC from the following:

Level 3

You must complete the following Level 3 core course:
And 18 UOC from the following:
International Relations

Study Levels

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