A6010 Master of International Relations

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Core studies, Part B. Applied studies, Part C. Professional practice studies and Part D. Elective studies.

A research pathway is also available for students seeking eligibility to apply for graduate research studies.

Part A.  Core studies

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of international relations practice and research exploring the theoretical, analytical, economic, and security dimensions of global politics. 

Part B.  Applied studies

These studies cover key issues in diplomacy and global political economy, gender, peace and security, global migration, and political violence and counter-terrorism. Additionally you will undertake professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development.

Part C.  Professional practice studies

Designed in association with industry experts, select from this suite of professional enhancement offerings to build essential competencies for your career pathway.

Part D.  Elective studies

Choose from a variety of units to further your knowledge of your chosen specialist knowledge areas, or world politics more broadly.

Master’s Entry Points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry into the course:

• If you are admitted at entry level 1, you complete 96 credit points, comprising Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.
• If you are admitted at entry level 2, you complete 72 credit points, comprising Part A, Part B, Part C (6 credit points) and Part D (18 credit points).
• If you are admitted at entry level 3, you complete 48 credit points, comprising Part A and Part B.

A research pathway is also available for students seeking eligibility to apply for graduate research studies.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options. 

Course progression maps

The course progression map  provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

If you are eligible to enrol in the 1.5-year entry point, you have the option of completing this course intensively over a 12-month period by following the intensive course progression map.

The course comprises 96 credit points and is structured in four parts: Part A. Core studies, Part B. Applied studies, Part C. Professional practice studies and Part D. Elective studies.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Core studies (36 credit points)  .

You must complete 36 credit points (six units) from the following list.

• APG5105 Foreign policy of emerging powers
• APG5154 Analysing global politics
• APG5199 Peacekeeping in the international system: Theory, policy and practice
• APG5324 International political economy
• APG5332 Contemporary security topics
• APG5666 Terrorism, counter-terrorism and technology
• APG5746 Foundations of international relations

Part B. Applied studies (12 credit points)

You must complete 12 credit points from the following capstone units.

Note: APG5093 and APG5237 are study tour units.

• APG5044 Professional internship (12 points)
• APG5069 Australia and Asia in the Asian century: Politics, business, media (12 points)
• APG5093 International relations field unit: Governing peace and security (12 points)
• APG5236 Global policy challenge (12 points)
• APG5237 Political, social and economic change in contemporary India (12 points)
• APG5856 Research project (12 points)
• APG5969 Advanced simulation (12 points)

Part C.  Professional practice studies (12 credit points)

You must complete 12 credit points from the following units.

Note 1. Entry level 2 is only required to complete 6 credit points.
Note 2. If you intend to complete the Research pathway you must complete APG5084.

• APG5050 Doing media and communications research 
• APG5075 Using data to understand family violence 
• APG5084 Designing research 
• APG5103 Policy analysis 
• APG5129 Evaluation 
• APG5136 Mindfulness for workplace wellbeing and productivity 
• APG5170 Social entrepreneurship challenge in the Indo-Pacific 
• APG5203 Field methods in anthropology and international development
• APG5230 Field studies in environmental governance
• APG5367 Campaigns, advocacy and change 
• APG5393 Ethical theory
• APG5426 Environmental analysis 
• APG5434 Sustainability measurement 
• APG5457 Digital cultures and platforms
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams 
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments 
• APG5652 Language and intercultural communication 
• APG5805 Project planning and management in international development 
• APG5966 Academic and professional presentation skills 
• APG5967 Professional enhancement A 
• APG5968 Professional enhancement B (12 points)
• ENS5510 Innovation to influence system change 
• ENS5530 Leading change for sustainable development 
• MGF5630 Principles of negotiation 
• MON5750 Monash Innovation Guarantee
• MPH5214 Demographic methods

Part D. Elective studies (36 credit points) 

You must complete:

• Entry level 1: 36 credit points from the elective lists below
• Entry level 2: 18 credit points from the elective lists below

Note 1: You may also complete units not undertaken from Parts A, B or C.

Note 2. Units are grouped into areas of interest. You may choose units from one area or across various areas to tailor your degree. The same units may appear in multiple areas/parts however each unit can only be credited once towards the degree.

Note 3. You may take approved units from other Arts Graduate coursework programs subject to meeting individual unit prerequisites. These units must be selected from the Core studies and/or elective studies parts.

Global business and management electives

• APG5122 Corporate sustainability management 
• BEX5060 Challenges in global agribusiness 
• BTF5112 Banking and finance regulation
• BTF5905 Global trade governance 
• MGF5691 Global sustainable operations and supply chains management 
• MGF5760 International institutions and organisations 
• MGF5911 Geo-politics and business globalisation 

Global justice and development electives

• APG5045 Gender and development 
• APG5156 Human rights in global politics 
• APG5229 Prosperity, poverty, and sustainability in a globalised world 
• APG5354 Indigenous peoples and the state 
• APG5590 Political Islam (12 points)
• APG5627 Power, politics and development in a changing environment 
• APG5628 Understanding development: Discourse, practice and power 

Global security electives

• APG5073 Conflict, security and development
• APG5140 Principles and practices for disaster management, humanitarian action and climate change adaptation
• APG5619 Community resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
• APG5667 Right-wing terrorism, extremism and fringe politics
• FSC5070 Future food supply and security

Research pathway (optional) – 24 points

You can complete a research pathway in your course if:

- you have achieved a minimum weighted average mark of 80% in the units of this course;
- you have the permission of the Course Director; and
- a suitable thesis supervisor is available.

If you are admitted into the course at entry level 1 or 2, the following unit replacements will apply:

- APG5084 Designing research as offered in Part C.
- APG5849 Research thesis A replaces 6 credit points from Part D.
- APG5850 Research thesis B replaces 12 credit points from Part B.

If you are admitted into the course at entry level 3, the replacement units will be determined based on previous study in consultation with the course director.

Note 1. APG5084 Designing research is a co-requisite for enrolment in APG5849 Research thesis A and must be completed in the same semester.
Note 2. Undertaking the research pathway does not guarantee entry into a graduate research degree (e.g. Masters by Research, PhD).

You must complete 24 credit points from the following list:

• APG5084 Designing research 
• APG5849 Research thesis A 
• APG5850 Research thesis B