Monash University Handbook 2011 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 optimise 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.

Students complete the following four units (24 points):

• APG4773 Research and reporting
• APG4774 Reporting with sound and image
• APG4775 Journalism and the law
• APG4776 Journalism studies

plus two of the following units (24 points):

• APG4323 Ethics in world politics
• APG4327 Wars of recognition: Terrorism and political violence
• APG4330 Global soul
• APG4332 Strategic studies

plus one of following units (12 points):

• APG4326 China: The quest for modernisation
• APG4336 Islam and modernity
• APG4329 Political Islam
• APG4667 Fringe politics and extremist violence: An introduction to terrorism
• one PLM unit not already selected from the above list

plus two of the following units (12 points):

• APG4640/APG5640 Journalism and society
• APG4641/APG5641 Reporting the environment
• APG4642/APG5642 Investigative reporting
• APG4777 Print features
• APG4778 Editing and publishing
• APG4779 Online journalism
• APG4780 Radio journalism
• APG4781 Video journalism
• APG4782/APG5809 Specialist reporting

Level five

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

Option 1

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

• APG5813 Journalism studies project
• APG5814 Journalism professional project

plus one of following units (12 points):

• APG5324 Advanced seminar in international political economy
• APG5323 Ethics in world politics*
• APG5332 Strategic studies*

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

Option 2

• APG5818 Journalism and international relations research project (24 points), or APG5819 Journalism and international relations research project part 1 (12 points) and APG5820 Journalism and international relations research project part 2 (12 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.

Master of International Relations

Master of Journalism