Overview
Overview
International relations is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary field that investigates the social, economic and environmental relationships between different political bodies.
This major provides you with an understanding of the complexities involved in global issues, through a range of analytical frameworks of political theory, international relations theory, foreign policy, strategic studies and political history. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the actors, institutions, and processes of international politics and organisations.
You will study the art of diplomacy and policymaking, geopolitical change, and national and regional security in military, political and geo-economic contexts.
Political and regional globalisation are explored in-depth, with an emphasis on the Indo-Pacific. International trade, environmental change, resource management and human rights issues are also examined.
You will develop skills in critical analysis, problem-solving and written and oral communications – skills that underpin influential careers in international relations.
As a Curtin student you could participate in an international study tour, such as Timor Leste and India Sustainable Human Environments Practicum, and you could also do an internship, such as Parliamentary Internships, Disarmament Internships & Human Rights Internships (Australian Permanent Mission in Geneva), and the US Consulate Internship Program.
International relations is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can enhance your studies with a secondary major or choose from a range of elective units to support your career goals.
When coupled with Business Law or Economics you can complete this major as part of the Bachelor of Commerce.
You can also study this major as part of a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce double degree.
What jobs can the International Relations course lead to?
Careers
- Diplomat
- Embassy/Consulate/High Commission Officials
- Intelligence Analyst
- Signals Analyst
- International Trade Policy
- Strategic Policy Analyst
- Cyber-Security Analyst
- Research Officer
- Public Servant
- Law Enforcement
- Defence Force Officer
- UN Political Affairs
- Human Rights Advocate
- Multicultural Affairs Liaison
- Journalist
- Political Scientist
- Teacher
Industries
- State and Commonwealth Government
- International Non-Government Organisations
- International Trade
- International Development
- Think-Tanks
What you'll learn
- 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
- demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through a variety of written, oral and other formats to diverse audiences in ways appropriate in international relations
- demonstrate the ability to use a variety of technologies and the ability to decide on their applications appropriately
- show sustained intellectual curiosity by taking responsibility for one’s own learning and intellectual development through the recognition of a range of learning strategies
- 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
- embrace the importance of cultural diversity and of human rights in the making of knowledge in the social and political sciences
- provide both accountable and ethical prescriptions/solutions to the major issues and challenges involved in national, regional and world affairs
- 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
- demonstrate the ability to think and analyse critically, creatively and reflectively within politics and international relations and across disciplinary boundaries