International Relations - IRELA23456
Stream Summary
Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science
School: School of Social Sciences
Contact: School of Social Sciences
Program: 3456 - Music / Arts
Award(s):
Bachelor of Arts (Minor)
View stream information for previous years
Stream Outline
Students commencing from 2016 should refer to the relevant stream version for their program. Please click here for a complete list of programs in which International Relations can be studied.
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 minor 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 minor 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.
- 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.
A student who wishes to do a major stream in Politics and a major stream in International Relations, or a major stream in one and a minor stream in the other will be required to complete 18 uoc at level 1 in ARTS1840 Australian Politics: Intro, ARTS1810 Intro to IR and ARTS1811 Contemporary Issues in Government and Global Politics and another 6 uoc at level 1 from a ‘related’ course approved by the stream convenor. |
Stream Structure
- ARTS1810 Intro to IR (6 UOC)
- ARTS1811 Issues in Gov and Global Pols (6 UOC)
Students must complete two of the three courses:
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)