Postgraduate - CourseMaster of International Relations and Master of Journalism

The Master of International Relations explores the nature of international politics and some of the key issues in the field. Individual units deal with a range of topics such as global security, economics and human rights.

The Master of Journalism is both 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 designed to ensure graduates will make an excellent contribution to their profession using a full range of media technologies.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of the Master of Journalism component of this double-degree course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• strong professional research and reporting skills in a range of media technologies and formats
• 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 journalism
• an understanding and ability to contribute to the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public right to know and democratic process
• an effective understanding of the role of journalism and the media in local, national, regional and global contexts.

Upon successful completion of the Master of International Relations component of this double-degree course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• apply advanced understanding and analysis to theory and issues in international relations
• demonstrate advanced critical understanding of the principal themes and theories in international relations
• apply advanced critical understanding and analysis to the international relations literature
• effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments with other specialists in the field of international relations and to lay persons
• demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of world views in the analysis of literature within the field
• demonstrate the application of theory in complex areas of practice.

Students may be eligible for credit to a maximum of 50 per cent of the course requirements for previous graduate-level studies.

Credit or exemptions up to a maximum of 24 points is available for a bachelor degree level qualification in a related discipline, and a further 24 points is available for honours degree level qualification in a related discipline.

Therefore, students who have completed an:

• undergraduate degree and a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline* must complete 120 points as outlined in Structure 2 under 'Requirements'.

* Relevant disciplines include humanities or social sciences.

The course involves extensive research and reporting in the field.

This course consists of core and elective units, including capstone units which allow the student to demonstrate their understanding of the course and the skills they have acquired. Students complete general studies in international relations or one of three specialisations. Specialisations will be recorded on students' official University documentation.

Students complete one of the following structures as determined by any credit granted for prior studies:

• Structure 1: 144 points over three years full-time, or part-time equivalent
• Structure 2: 120 points over two and a half years full-time, or part-time equivalent.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options if they choose.

All students must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at level 5, and so should take care when choosing between units offered at level 4 and 5 (where this option is offered).

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated

Structure 1 - 144 credit points

Students must complete:

(a.) in their first year of study (24 points):

(i.) two of the following 6 point journalism preparatory units (12 points):

• ATS2395 Australia in a globalising world
• ATS2446 Australian media histories
• ATS2490 Advanced Professional Writing
• ATS2693 Politics and the media

(ii.) two of the following 6 point international relations preparatory units (12 points):

• ATS2624 Global governance
• ATS3340 International security studies
• ATS3462 International crime and justice
• ATS3705 Knowledge and power in world politics

(b.) the following core units (60 points):

(i.) journalism (36 points):

• APG5095 Research and writing
• APG5096 The new newsroom
• APG5640 Journalism in society

(ii.) international relations (24 points):

• APG5668 Advanced seminar in international relations

plus one of:

• APG5092 Human rights in global politics
• APG5337 Governance and democratisation
• APG5667 Terrorism, fringe politics and extremist violence

(c.) one of the following capstone/research options (36 points):

(i.) a journalism capstone and an international relations capstone, plus 12 points of international relations electives from the lists below

(ii.) APG5600 Advanced research methods in the social and political sciences, and APG5849 Research thesis A, and APG5850 Research thesis B

(d.) electives as follows (24 points):

• 12 points of journalism electives
• 12 points international relations electives

Journalism

Capstone units

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5642 Investigative journalism
• APG5856 Research project

Electives

• APG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
• APG5098 Long-form storytelling
• APG5099 Innovation and entrepreneurship
• APG5297 Recording oral history: Theory and practice
• APG5390 Contemporary tourism and development in emerging economies
• APG5752 Field trip in media and communications

International relations

Capstone units

General studies in international relations

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5064 Gender, security and conflict
• APG5097 Politics of international justice
• APG5332 Security and securitisation
• APG5856 Research project

Governance and security

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5332 Security and securitisation
• APG5856 Research project

Rights and justice

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5097 Politics of international justice
• APG5856 Research project

Political violence and counter-terrorism

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5064 Gender, security and conflict
• APG5856 Research project

Electives

• APG5064 Gender, security and conflict
• APG5065 Governing migration: Borders, refugees and development
• APG5097 Politics of international justice
• APG5324 Advanced seminar in International political economy
• APG5327 Wars of recognition: Terrorism and political violence
• APG5336 Islam and modernity
• APG5600 Advanced research methods in the social and political sciences
• APG5655 Theories and principles of international crisis management
• APG5973 The political economy of European integration(6 points)
• BTF5130 International law and policy (6 points)
• MGX5730 International trade policy (6 points)
• MGX5760 International institutions and organizations (6 points)
• MGF5911 Diplomacy and statecraft (6 points)

Structure 2 - 120 credit points

(b.), (c.) and (d.)

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.

Master of International Relations
Master of Journalism