Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)

International Relations is a vibrant, growing and constantly evolving discipline designed for students interested in careers in international organisations, foreign affairs or any organisation that has a focus beyond America’s borders. Whether it is the latest peace deal in a conflict zone, aid package, humanitarian relief operation, trade deal or climate negotiation, studying International Relations at RSU helps you understand the motives behind the actions taken by states, international organisations and the many other actors in global politics. While studying a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) at RSU, you will learn how to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to real world issues to inform thinking and practice in business, government and not for profit sectors.

What you will study

You will undertake core subjects on how global politics works, how security is organised, how conflict is managed, and on the role of the state in the new millennium. You will partake in a model United Nations (UN), discussing ideas and brainstorming solutions to global challenges as model diplomats learning not just about the UN, but about negotiation skills and policy development. You can choose from a range of electives covering issues including war, peacekeeping, international law and global political economy.

In addition to the International Relations major you will choose a minor or a second major from the Bachelor of Arts offerings.

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

Each major also has learning outcomes that are unique to that major and outlined on each major page. 

Course Structure

To qualify for award of this degree, a candidate must satisfactorily complete a total of at least 144 credit points, comprised of the following:

1. At least one major study available in the Bachelor of Arts, outlined below (minimum 48 credit points and maximum 60 credit points);
2. LHA 101 - Introduction to Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (6 credit points). This subject is undertaken in the first session and is designed to provide students with the academic skills necessary to succeed at University. LHA 101 assists students to understand the structure of their degree, plan their study pathway, and plan for post-university careers. It introduces students to key concepts including critical thinking, digital literacy, academic integrity, effective communication and degree and career planning;
3. A second major study (minimum 48 credit points and maximum 60 credit points) OR, a (minimum of 24 credit points) from within Law, Humanities, and The Arts;
4. Elective subjects to bring the total credit points to at least 144.

Note:

• At least 24 credit points of subjects completed at the 300-level within the major must be at a pass mark or higher;
• No more than 60 credit points can be taken in 100-level subjects.

Navigating the Bachelor of Arts Degree (Rainstar)

You construct your Bachelor of Arts degree by selecting majors and minors. Many of the majors and minors reflect areas of study that will be familiar already (such as English, History, Politics) and some that may be less familiar (such as International Relations, Sociology and Environmental Humanities). Completing a major (or two) as part of your Bachelor of Arts degree will give you a set of skills that relate to the discipline you are studying (gaining expertise in History, for example) and also generic skills in critical thinking, analysis, cultural intelligence, and conceptual frameworks. Because you can do more than one major, it’s a good idea to choose widely in your first year, before settling on a major/or majors in your second year. For those thinking of doing a double major + minor, popular combinations include:

• History and Archaeology and Ancient History
• English and Philosophy, and Language/Linguistics
• Sociology and International Relations and Gender Studies
• Indigenous Studies and Politics and Ethics
• Creative Writing and English
• Environmental Humanities and Philosophy and Art History

As long as you complete at least one major and one minor from the Bachelor of Arts, you can also take a major and/or minor from outside of the Bachelor of Arts degree. Popular majors from outside the Bachelor of Arts include: Criminology, Digital and Social Media, Economics, Global Screen Media, Global Sustainable Development, Human Geography, Journalism, Marketing, Communication and Advertising, Visual Communication Design, Global Sustainable Development, International Business, Economics, Human Resource Management, Management and Public Relations.

Minors

As part of the Bachelor of Arts, students must take a minimum of one minor in additional to a major. Some students choose to turn this minor into a second major.

Students may also wish to take more than one minor if their total credit points allow.

Most minors consist of 24 credit points and require at least 12 credit points at 200 level or higher.

Students may not undertake a Major and in the same discipline (for example, students cannot take both a major and a minor in Photography).

• Ancient History
• Animal Studies
• Art History
• Asia Pacific Studies
• American Studies
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students
• Creative Production
• Creative Writing
• Cultural Studies
• Digital and Social Media
• English Language and Linguistics
• English Literatures
• Environmental Humanities
• Ethics
• European Studies
• French
• Game Production
• Gender Studies
• Global Screen Media
• Global Sustainable Development
• Graphic Design
• Indigenous Studies
• International Relations
• Italian
• Japanese
• Journalism
• Legal Studies
• Marketing Communication and Advertising
• Media Arts
• Modern History
• Music
• Philosophy
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Photography
• Politics
• Science and Technology Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Technical Theatre
• Theatre
• Visual Arts