Master of International Relations and Master of Journalism - 2019

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 journalism component is designed to ensure graduates will make an excellent contribution to their profession using a full range of media technologies and the course has a particular focus on public interest and investigative journalism.

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.

You may also choose to complete advanced 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, you 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 will provide you 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 you 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.

Advanced 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.

Refer to the outcomes for:

• A6010 Master of International Relations
• A6008 Master of Journalism

The course involves extensive research and reporting in the field.

Double degree courses include all the features of the component degree courses, except that electives may be reduced or redirected.

Depending upon prior qualifications, you 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 you if your previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

Part B. Core master's study in international relations and 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. If you wish to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research you should take this second option.

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

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).

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you must complete 144 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• If you are admitted at entry level 2 you must complete 120 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
• If you are admitted at entry level 3 you must complete 96 points, comprising Part B.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options. If you choose not to receive credit, you should consult the course coordinator about appropriate units to take since those listed in Part A(a) may not be appropriate.

You are required to complete the requirements for your chosen specialisation.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-a6011.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

You 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

You must complete the following unit (12 points):

• APG5746 Reading and writing international relations

Journalism

You must complete the following two units (12 points):

• APG5060 Advanced academic skills (6 points)
• APG5070 Media, mobility and migration (6 points)

Part B. Core master's study (96 points)

You must 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 chosen international relations specialisation

Governance and security:

• APG5064 Gender, security and conflict
• APG5332 Contemporary security topics
• APG5337 Governance and democratisation

International diplomacy and trade:

• APG5324 International political economy
• BTF5340 Regional trade governance (6 points)
• MGF5911 Diplomacy and statecraft (6 points)
• MGF5730 International trade policy (6 points)
• MGF5760 International institutions and organisations

Political violence and counter-terrorism:

• APG5092 Human rights in global politics
• APG5327 Wars of recognition: Terrorism and political violence
• APG5667Not offered in 2019 Terrorism, fringe politics and extremist violence

Advanced international relations:

• 24 credit points from any specialisation in Part B, b. above

Journalism

The following two units (24 points):

• APG5095 Research and writing
• APG5640 Journalism in society

Capstone units

c. Capstone units from the lists below (36 points):

• 12 points from international relations
• 24 points from journalism

International relations (12 points)

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5091 Big ideas in international relations policy
• APG5093 International relations field unit: Governing peace and security
• APG5856 Research project*

Journalism (24 points)

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5135 Video journalism
• APG5182 Digital management and production
• APG5547 Studio production
• APG5856 Research project*

* If you elect to take the research thesis option in Part C and APG5856 you should consult with the course coordinator.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

You must 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)

** If you are admitted to the course at entry level 3 and wish to complete the 24 point research thesis you should consult with the course coordinator.

b. Elective units from the lists below (24 points):

• 12 points from international relations
• 12 points from journalism

International relations

• APG5045 Gender and development
• APG5054Not offered in 2019 Research methods for development practice and change
• APG5066 Shanghai city lab
• APG5067 Cultural economy and sustainable development
• APG5069Not offered in 2019 Australia and Asia in the Asian century: Politics, business, media
• APG5078 Gender-based policy and planning
• APG5081Not offered in 2019 Public health ethics
• APG5100 Colab M: Mentoring for development practice and professional development
• APG5180 Policy and political communication
• APG5181 Intergovernmental relations
• APG5190Not offered in 2019 Global journalism: Hong Kong field school
• APG5229 Prosperity, poverty and sustainability in a globalised world
• APG5397 Media, technologies and social change
• APG5400 Issues in international communications
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams (6 points)
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments (6 points)
• APG5481Not offered in 2019 Language for professional purposes - Part 1 (6 points)
• APG5482Not offered in 2019 Language for professional purposes - Part 2 (6 points)
• APG5483Not offered in 2019 Language for professional purposes - Part 3 (6 points)
• APG5590 Political Islam
• APG5617 Human research ethics
• APG5628 Deconstructing development
• LAW5304 Overview of international human rights law
• any units from any specialisation in Part B not already completed

Journalism

• APG5184 Video-making as research
• APG5190Not offered in 2019 Global journalism: Hong Kong field school
• APG5351Not offered in 2019 World news
• APG5355Not offered in 2019 Journalism and technology
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams (6 points)
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments (6 points)
• APG5481Not offered in 2019 Language for professional purposes - Part 1 (6 points)
• APG5482Not offered in 2019 Language for professional purposes - Part 2 (6 points)
• APG5483Not offered in 2019 Language for professional purposes - Part 3 (6 points)
• APG5642 Investigative journalism
• APG5653 Journalism futures: New York field school
• APG5752Not offered in 2019 Field trip in media and communications
• APG5782 Film festivals in local and international contexts
• the capstone unit not already completed in Part B

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

• Graduate Certificate of Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Certificate of International Relations after successful completion of 24 credit points of study including APG5060, APG5746 and APG5471 or APG5470
• Graduate Diploma of Arts after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. If you are admitted at entry levels 1 and 2 you can complete a research thesis (24 points) that may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. If you are admitted at entry level 3 you will normally already have an honours degree, however, if you are in this group and wish to complete a research thesis you should discuss the options with the course coordinator.