Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Master of Journalism and Master of International Relations provides a comprehensive introduction to the nature of the international political system and some of the key issues in contemporary international relations, an entry-level qualification for a professional journalism career, and a mid-career course for working journalists seeking to extend their expertise and refresh the intellectual basis of their practice. It is has a national and international orientation designed to optimize the contribution graduates will make to their profession using a full range of media technologies and insights into approaches to international relations.

Graduates of the program will:

• have an understanding of theories and issues in international relations, and be able to critically research, analyse and communicate them
• have strong professional research and reporting skills in a range of media technologies and formats
• be equipped with the necessary skills and attributes either to enter professional practice in the news media or, for qualified journalists, to extend their existing skills and intellectual understanding of journalistic practices
• understand and be able to contribute to the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public right to know and democratic processes
• have an effective understanding of the role of journalism and the media in local, national, regional and global contexts.

The course involves extensive research and reporting in the field.

Students complete core and elective units and one of the options outlined at level five. Students who achieve a distinction average in their level four units have the option of undertaking a 24-point research dissertation at level five.

Core and elective units

Students complete 72 points as outlined below including a minimum of 12 points at level five.

Students complete the following four units (24 points):

• JRM4901 Research and reporting
• JRM4902 Reporting with sound and image
• JRM4903 Journalism and the law
• JRM4904 journalism studies

plus two of the following units (24 points):

• PLM4030 Ethics in world politics
• PLM4310 Wars of recognition: Terrorism and political violence
• PLM4440 Global soul
• PLM4600 Strategic studies (

plus one of following units (12 points):

• PLM4210 Leaders, politics and publics
• PLM4290 China: The quest for modernisation
• PLM4340 Fringe politics and extremist violence: An introduction to terrorism
• PLM4420 Political Islam
• PLM4430 Islam and modernity
• one PLM unit not already selected from the above list

plus two of the following units (12 points):

• JRM4907/JRM5907 Journalism and society
• JRM4908 Print features
• JRM4910 Editing and publishing
• JRM4911 Online journalism
• JRM4912 Radio journalism
• JRM4913 Video journalism
• JRM4914/JRM5914 Reporting the environment
• JRM4915/JRM5915 Investigative reporting
• JRM4916/JRM5916 Specialist reporting

Level five

Students choose one of the following options (24 points).

Option 1

Students complete both of the following units (12 points):

• JRM5930 Journalism studies project
• JRM5940 Journalism professional project

plus one of following units (12 points):

• PLM5065 Advanced seminar in international political economy
• PLM5600 Strategic studies*
• PLM5030 Ethics in world politics*

* This unit cannot be selected if already completed at level four.

Option 2

• JRM5960 Journalism and International Relations Research Project (24 points)

Students who undertake the 24 point research project option and achieve at least a distinction are eligible to apply for a higher degree by research.

Students who have completed studies in this course to the value of:

• 24 points may apply to exit with the relevant graduate certificate.
• 48 points may apply to exit with the relevant graduate diploma.

Students will also exit the masters with the appropriate award if they do not maintain the required academic level.

Master of International Relations

Master of Journalism