International relations


The discipline

Graduate programs in international relations at Monash are designed to enable graduates in politics or cognate disciplines to explore, at an advanced level, the many issues raised by the rapidly changing nature of the contemporary international system. What kind of new world order, or disorder, is emerging in the aftermath of the Cold War? How are security issues to be understood in a newly fluid and multipolar international system? How is economic globalisation affecting the sovereignty of states and the economic policies which governments pursue at home and abroad? What is the significance of new agenda issues such as human rights and the environment in contemporary international politics? How far can the consideration of ethical, normative and cultural issues contribute to the understanding of politics across state boundaries?
The graduate coursework programs at Monash explore these and related questions with particular attention to relationships among major powers and to developments in Australia's region. Subjects also provide a thorough grounding in the principal theoretical approaches in international relations, and the ways in which these approaches may be used to analyse the sorts of issues raised above. The programs are particularly suitable for students interested in pursuing career options in such areas as government, diplomacy, business, NGOs, teaching and journalism.
For students who wish to undertake research in international relations at masters or doctoral level, staff are able to provide supervision in a wide variety of sub fields, including Australian foreign policy; US foreign policy; international relations in East and Southeast Asia; arms control and strategic studies; globalisation; international political economy; international law; nationalism; international relations theory; ethics and international relations; and international history.

Master of Arts in International Relations by coursework

General information

Course code: 0017 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have completed an honours degree in politics or a related discipline with at least a second class division B result; or MQual in politics or a related discipline with at least a second class division B result; or a postgraduate diploma in international relations with at least a credit average.

Course structure

Candidates must successfully complete four of the semester-length subjects listed below (a total of 48 points). The period of candidature is one year full-time or two years part-time.

Subjects

Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in international relations is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject.

Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (International Relations)

General information

Course code: 1400 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have completed a bachelors degree with a major in politics, or a Faculty Certificate in International Relations with grades of at least credit average. Subject to the approval of the head of the department, applicants who have completed a major in a cognate discipline may be admitted.

Course structure

Candidates must successfully complete four of the semester-length subjects listed below (a total of 48 points). Candidates who wish to be eligible to apply for subsequent admission to the MA in International Relations by research must include PLM4060.12. The period of candidature is one year full-time or two years part-time.

Faculty Certificate in International Relations

General information

Program code: 2058 · Program fees: Local students - $3300

Entry requirements

Applicants should have either (a) a bachelors degree or the equivalent or (b) relevant professional experience. The entry requirements for candidates in category (b) are a minimum of five years relevant experience at a senior level in such areas as journalism, bureaucracy which involves report writing, or teaching where it involves curriculum development. Evidence must accompany the candidate's application for entry into the program. In addition, the following information must be presented: (i) two references which comment on the nature and extent of the experience; and (ii) a full CV; and (iii) a statement of up 1000 words indicating the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry. The following may also be taken into account for applicants in category (b):

Credit provision

Candidates who complete a Faculty Certificate in International Relations with a credit average can progress to a Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (International Relations) and receive 50 per cent credit towards that course.

Program structure

Candidates must successfully complete two semester-length subjects chosen from the list below (a total of 24 points). The period of candidature is one semester full-time or one year part-time.

Subjects