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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

312331 v.2 International Relations Major


Major/Stream Overview

This major/stream is part of a larger course. Information is specific to the major/stream, please refer to the course for more information.


International Relations is the study of how the many parts of the international system relate to each other, and what this means for individual people. Its central aim is to understand how and why the world is the way we see it today, giving us some hope that we can plan for its future. The major covers the fields of comparative politics, international relations theory, foreign policy, strategic studies, and political history. Topics include economic globalisation; regional studies with an emphasis on Asia; international security considered broadly; human rights; and environmental change.


Major Overview Note

Students choosing this major within the Bachelor of Arts degree will also choose another major or an elective stream. Choosing a second major allows students to study in an additional discipline area. Choosing an elective stream allows students to undertake further study in the discipline of their first major or choose from a variety of units from around the University.



Major/Stream Entry and Completion Details

Students should complete Legacies of Empire 111 and Australia and Asia Transformed 112 in first year.



Major/Stream Organisation

Major/Stream Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the social and political sciences; the ability to apply a political and international perspective to the study of social life;

2. demonstrate the ability to think and analyse critically, creatively and reflectively within politics and international relations and across disciplinary boundaries;

3. demonstrate the ability to locate relevant evidence from a wide range of sources and to make informed decisions about the significance of this information in the development of a political and international relations analysis of social life;

4. demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through a variety of written, oral and other formats to diverse audiences in ways appropriate in international relations;

5. demonstrate the ability to use a variety of technologies and the ability to decide on their applications appropriately;

6. show sustained intellectual curiosity by taking responsibility for one's own learning and intellectual development through the recognition of a range of learning strategies;

7. demonstrate the capacity to understand socio-economic and political life in a range of local and global contexts through the recognition of international practices in political and international affairs;

8. embrace the importance of cultural diversity and of human rights in the making of knowledge in the social and political sciences;

9. provide both accountable and ethical prescriptions/solutions to the major issues and challenges involved in national, regional and world affairs.


Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 2 Semester 1
312572 v.4   Conflict and Diplomacy in the Asia Pacific 221 3.0 25.0
312581 v.3   International Relations: Theory and Practice 211 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 2 Semester 2
312583 v.3   Foreign Policy Analysis 212 3.0 25.0
312595 v.4   Religion War and Terror 223 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 3 Semester 1
312596 v.4   Conflict and Strategy 321 3.0 25.0
314783 v.1   Doing Research in International Relations 311 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 3 Semester 2
312587 v.4   International Political Economy 322 3.0 25.0
314784 v.1   Strategic Forecasting 312 3.0 25.0
  50.0




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