Master of International Relations

Our world is being shaped by big questions about global justice, war, peace, social movements, and inter-state relations. These questions help define what this Master of International Relations is all about. In short, this course offers students a window into the diverse and dynamic world of politics in the 21st century.

The course offers a range of topics such as global security, economics and human rights with three specialisations, focusing on:

• governance and security
• international diplomacy and trade
• political violence and counter-terrorism.

Students may also choose to complete general studies in international relations.

This course provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of international affairs, grounded in the key debates framing global politics and driven by in-depth empirical analysis. Through this, students will be able to make sense of the complexity of global politics by providing the analytical perspectives and skills needed to see both the 'bigger picture' and comprehend detailed aspects of specific issues.

Subject to conditions, students have the opportunity to study abroad, and to develop research interests in a number of areas, providing them with a potential pathway into a higher research degree. Our graduates have gone on to a broad range of occupations and have been employed by the likes of the United Nations, the Australian Government, and non-governmental organisations such as the International Red Cross.

Specialisations

Governance and security

This specialisation provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how power, authority, and participation is managed within and amongst states as well as challenges to this domestically and internationally. Focus is on the practical applications of governance, institutions, the rule of law, and how this works in the contemporary global environment.

International diplomacy and trade

This specialisation will advance your knowledge across international trade, diplomacy, and international law. It is designed for people at the start of their careers as well as people working in the field who want to develop their careers in international public policy, NGOs and government departments such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Political violence and counter-terrorism

This specialisation provides students with a critical engagement with manifestations of political violence, as well as the ideologies and conditions that give rise to political violence. Focus is on understanding terrorism and political extremism, the conditions associated with preventing and combating political violence, and the impacts of these activities on democratic and civil liberties.

General international relations studies

This enables you to tailor your unit choices to suit your own interests or needs while addressing the fundamental debates framing global politics. By selecting across the range of specialisations, you will be able to examine key issues in foreign policy, international and comparative governance, world order and security, human rights, European studies, crisis management, diplomacy and trade, or terrorism.

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://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

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

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Foundations for advanced international relations studies, Part B. Core master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundations for advanced international relations studies

These studies will introduce you to international relations studies at advanced undergraduate or graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

Part B. Core master's study

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of international relations practice and research exploring the security, ethical, and economic dimensions of international relations. You will have opportunities to examine key issues in foreign policy, world order, European studies, crisis management, and terrorism.

Part C. Advanced expertise

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options.

The first option is a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field.

The second option is a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.

Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced international relations studies (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (48 points) and Part C. Broadening expertise (24 points).

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part B.

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

Students are required to complete the requirements for their chosen specialisation.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-a6010.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with 2 or 3 are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with a 4 or 5 are 12 points).

Part A. Foundations for advanced international relations studies (24 points)

Students complete:

a. Two six point units (12 points) from the list under general studies or your specialisation, taken during the first full time equivalent year of study:

Governance and security

• ATS2624 Global governance
• ATS2698 Middle East politics
• ATS3340 International security studies

International Diplomacy and trade

• BTF5903 Law and business decisions
• ECF5953 Economics
• MGF5020 Business ethics in a global environment
• MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics

Political violence and counter-terrorism

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

General studies

Students taking general studies in international relations, should select two units from:

• ATS2624 Global governance
• ATS2698 Middle East politics
• ATS3340 International security studies
• ATS3462 International crime and justice
• ATS3705 Knowledge and power in world politics

b. One unit (12 points) from the electives in Part C

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. The following unit (12 points):

• APG5668 Advanced seminar in international relations

b. 24 points of study from the electives below listed under your specialisation or general studies

Governance and security

• APG5065 Governing migration: Borders, refugees and development
• APG5337 Governance and democratisation

International diplomacy and trade

• MGF5722 Emerging economies in a globalising world (6 points)
• MGX5710 Globalisation and the governance of market societies (6 points)
• MGF5730 International trade policy (6 points)
• MGF5911 Diplomacy and statecraft (6 points)

Political violence and counter-terrorism

• APG5092 Human rights in global politics
• APG5327 Wars of recognition: Terrorism and political violence
• APG5667 Terrorism, fringe politics and extremist violence

General studies

Students taking general studies in international relations, should select units to 24 points from any specialisation in Part B(b) above

c. Capstone unit/s (12 points) from your specialisation

Governance and security

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

International Diplomacy and trade

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5856 Research project*
• BTF5340 Regional trade governance (6 points)
• MGF5760 International institutions and organisations (6 points)

Political violence and counter-terrorism

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

* Students electing to take the research option in Part C(a) may consider that as their capstone. They should not complete both the research thesis and APG5856. Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete the 24 point research thesis in Part C(a) should consult with the course coordinator.

General studies

Students taking general studies in international relations, should select unit/s to 12 points from any specialisation.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

Students complete either a) or b) below:

a. The following unit/s:

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points)* or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)

* Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete this 24 point research thesis should consult with the course coordinator.

b. Elective units (24 points) from the following:

• APG5094 Global Jhad?
• APG5324 Advanced seminar in international political economy
• APG5666 Terrorism, counter-terrorism and intelligence
• ATS3266 Washington and the world: Washington D.C study tour
• any units from any specialisation in Part B not already completed

Students entering at Entry levels 1 and 2 can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students entering at entry level 3 will normally already have an honours degree, however, students in this group who wish to complete a research thesis in international relations should discuss the options with the course coordinator.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award during their enrolment in the master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at Level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at Level 4 or above.