Description
This is a double degree course leading to two master's degrees; the Master of International Relations and the Master of Journalism. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the nature of the international political system and some 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.
The course offers a range of topics in international relations 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.
Journalism studies focuses on finding the truth and telling the story and plays a crucial role in scrutinising and holding to account those in power and influence.
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 degree by research. 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, news media, or have become young entrepreneurs establishing their own firms both in Australia and internationally.
Specialisations
Master of International Relations
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 studies in international relations
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.
Fieldwork
The course involves extensive research and reporting in the field.
Structure
Double degree courses include all the features of the component degree courses, except that electives may be reduced or redirected.
Depending upon prior qualifications, students may receive credit for part of the course.
The Master of International Relations and the Masters of Journalism are each structured in three parts: Foundations for advanced studies, Core master's study and Advanced expertise.
Part A. Foundations for advanced international relations and journalism studies (24 points)
These studies will introduce you to both international relations and journalism studies at an advanced level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.
Part B. Core master's study in international relations/journalism studies (96 points)
The international relations 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.
The journalism studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of journalism practice. Through a combination of academic and practice-based work, you will gain a solid foundation in all production technologies - print, video, radio and online - in metropolitan, regional and international contexts.
Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)
The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. These studies will be credited to each of the two degrees and you will have the opportunity, if you choose, to undertake a cross disciplinary project or internship that integrates and draws on both fields of study, international relations and journalism.
You have two options:
- 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.
- 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.
Requirements
The double degree comprises 144 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced studies (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (96 points) and Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points).
- Students admitted at entry level 1 complete 144 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
- Students admitted at entry level 2 complete 120 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
- Students admitted at entry level 3 complete 96 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. Such students should consult the course coordinator about appropriate units to take since those listed in Part A(a) may not be appropriate.
Students are required to complete the requirements for their chosen specialisation.
All students must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at level 5 and a maximum of 24 points at level 2 or 3 for entry point 1. Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with 2 or 3 are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with a 5 are 12 points.
Part A. Foundations for advanced international relations studies/Foundations for advanced journalism studies (24 points)
International relations
Students complete:
a. Two units (12 points) from the lists below under their international relations specialisation, to be completed during the first full time equivalent year of study:
Governance and security
International diplomacy and trade
- ECF5953 Economics
- BTF5903 Law and business decisions
- MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics
- MGF5020 Business ethics in a global environment
Political violence and counter-terrorism
- ATS2624 Global governance
- ATS3340 International security studies
- ATS3462 Global crime and justice
- ATS3705 Knowledge and power in world politics
General studies in international relations
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
Journalism
Students complete;
b. Two units (12 points) from the following journalism studies units, to be completed during the first full time equivalent year of study:
Part B. Core master's study (96 points)
Students complete a., b., and c.
International relations
a. The following unit (12 points):
- APG5668 Advanced seminar in international relations
b. 24 points of study from your international relations specialisation
Governance and security
- APG5065 Governing migration: Refugees, borders and development
- APG5337 Governance and democratisation
International diplomacy and trade
- MGF5722 Emerging economies in a globalising world (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 in international relations
Students taking general studies in international relations, select units to 24 credit points from any specialisation in B(b) above.
Journalism
The three journalism units below (36 points):
Capstone* units
c. Students complete 12 points from each of international relations and journalism (24 points):
International relations
Governance and security
International diplomacy and trade
- MGF5760 International institutions and organisations (6 points)
- BTF5340 Regional trade governance (6 points)
- APG5044 Professional internship
- APG5856 Research project*
Political violence and counter-terrorism
General studies in international relations
Students taking general studies in international relations, select any capstone units from the international relations specialisations above.
Journalism
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)
b. Elective units (24 points), 12 points from both journalism and international relations
International relations
- APG5094 Global jihad?
- APG5324 Advanced seminar in international political economy
- APG5666 Terrorism, counter-terrorism and intelligence
- any units from any international relations specialisation in Part B not already completed
Journalism
- APG5099 Media innovation
- APG5184 Video-making as research
- APG5190 Global journalism: Hong Kong field school
- APG5642 Investigative journalism
- APG5653 Journalism futures: New York field school
- APG5782 Film festival study tour
- the capstone unit not already completed in Part B
Alternative exits
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.
Progression to further studies
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 should discuss the options with the course coordinator.
