INTREL05 International relations

International relations as a discipline was founded after World War I and has evolved over the course of the 20th and 21st centuries. However, its core purposes remain the same: to explain seemingly intractable global problems and the political nature of responses to them, and to consider whether there are global responsibilities. The discipline advances critical knowledge about the causes, consequences and challenges of mitigating conflict and promoting cooperation within and across states and societies. It is concerned with the relationships between international structures, processes and political institutions including states, non-government organisations (NGOs), social movements, and international organisations such as the United Nations and its specialised agencies, the World Trade Organisation, NATO, and the European Union. Concepts of power, sovereignty, security and the state are central to the subject matter of international relations. You will be encouraged to develop critical thinking, creativity, team work, research-based learning and analytical writing skills in order to understand contemporary changes and historical continuities in international relations.

International relations at Monash aims to offer you an understanding of many aspects of contemporary global politics and economics, coupled with a solid intellectual grounding in the key debates, historical events, and political institutions in which the discipline is immersed. The international relations major at Monash focuses on four broad areas: international security studies, global governance, international political economy and foreign policy.

Compulsory overseas study component
A minimum of 18 points must be chosen for study abroad from the units listed below or an overseas partner institution. For more information go to Arts study abroad.

Availability
International relations is listed in A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies at Clayton as undergraduate specialisation.