ObjectivesThe Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) is a course for students seeking an international orientation, with a commitment to a period of study at an overseas university, internship at an international organisation or participation in an in-country language program. You will learn a range of skills in analysis and interpretation of the international forces shaping government, business and community life in contemporary Australia. You will also develop a systematic understanding of other countries and societies, as well as cross-cultural competencies, through an internationally oriented curriculum. You can study major sequences in areas of Anthropology, Arabic, Chinese, History, Indonesian, Italian, International Relations, Middle East Studies, Politics and Policy Studies, Philosophy and Sociology. Studying a language is highly recommended, either within the three-year degree itself, or as part of a four-year combined Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)/Diploma of Language. As part of the course you are required to successfully take part in one of the following international study experiences: * trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner * international internship * in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian or Arabic) * approved study abroad program or * approved onshore internship with an international organisation.
Entry requirementsApplicants should have successfully completed VCE, or equivalent, including a study score of at least 30 in Units 3 and 4 English (ESL) or 25 in Units 3 and 4 of any other English. Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Academic titleBachelor of Arts (International Studies)
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this course you will have the skills and experience necessary for a range of positions in the public sector including areas of diplomacy, defence, immigration, education, finance, communications, trade and aid; large corporations and small or medium sized businesses with an international orientation; and non-government organisations with regional and global links.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts (International Studies), a student must successfully complete 24 credit points of study including a major or a sub-major in international relations, an international study experience, and other requirements as follows.
* a major sequence of 8 credit points in international relations;
* a sub-major of 4 credit points selected from the major sequences listed; and
* an approved international study experience (2 to 4 credit points)
or
* a sub-major of 4 credit points in international relations;
* a major sequence of 8 credit points selected from the major sequences listed below; and
* an approved international study experience (2 to 4 credit points)
and
* successful completion of at least one wholly on-line unit
Note: A sub-major is a group of related units taken over two levels, amounting to four credit points, from a recognised major sequence.
Major sequences
Not all sequences are offered at all campuses or off campus, so please check unit availability carefully.
Anthropology (G, X)
Arabic (B)
Chinese (B)
History (B, G, X)
Indonesian (B, G, X)
Italian (B)
International Relations (B, G, X)
Middle East Studies (B)
Politics and Policy Studies (B, G, X)
Philosophy (B, G, X)
Sociology (B, G, W, X)
Course structure
International Relations major sequence
Core units
Year 1
Trimester 1
AIR108 International Relations
Trimester 2
AIR109 Critical Issues in International Relations
Years 2 and 3
Select a further 6 credit points, ensuring at least 2 credit points are undertaken at level 2 and 2 credit points at level 3 from the following:
Trimester 1
AIR205/AIR305 The Rise of China
AIR236/AIR336 Global Capitalism and its Discontent *
AIR245/AIR345 American Foreign Policy
Trimester 2
AIR220/AIR320 Australia's Foreign Relations
AIR225/AIR325 Global Environmental Politics
AIR234/AIR334 Order and Justice in World Politics
AIR242/AIR342 Theories of International Relations
AIR243/AIR343 International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
AIR244/AIR344 Conflict, Security and Terrorism
* This unit is offered in the wholly online teaching mode only - there will be no face to face teaching) This unit is also offered in trimester 3 (2008/09)
International Study Experience
Students are expected to take part successfully in one of the following international study experiences:
* trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
* international internship
* in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian or Arabic)
* approved study abroad program or
* approved onshore internship with an international organisation.
Students who participate in an internship will enrol in on of the following units after internship proposal is approved:
Trimester 1 or trimester 2 or trimester 3
AIR330 International Internship A (2 credit points)
or
AIR331 International Internship B (4 credit points)
Internship units are normally undertaken in third year (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
For further information regarding the in-country language programs, refer to the major sequences in Indonesian, Chinese and Arabic.
Transition to University study
The faculty offers two units ASC160 Introduction to University Study and ALW117 Writing for Professional Practice which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.
Wholly online units
To ensure that all Deakin students have the skills to meet the demands of the modern workforce, undergraduate students are required to complete at least one unit of their study wholly online.
The wholly online units offered by the Faculty of Arts and Education in 2009 are:
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
ACN108 History of Interactive Entertainment
Trimester 1
AIH265/AIH365 Great Debates: Unfinished Business of the Past
AIR236/AIR336 Global Capitalism and its Discontent *
AIX391 Work Transition in the 21st Century
ALL379 Representing Australia
ALR383 Government Relations and Issues Management
Trimester 2
AIP238/AIP338 The Politics of Fear
ALC314 Advertising: Designing Desires
ALC320 Approaches to Media: Audiences and Effects
ASC320 Sex, Crime and Justice in An Electronic Age
* AIR236/336 is also offered in trimester 3 (2008/09)
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should have successfully completed VCE, or equivalent, including a study score of at least 30 in Units 3 and 4 English (ESL) or 25 in Units 3 and 4 of any other English.
Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.