Objectives
The course aims to provide a wide choice of studies related to international relations, foreign policy, foreign societies and cultures, politics and government around the world, global history and the role of international organisations and movements. Students are encouraged - but not required - to undertake foreign language studies to complement the social science orientation of the rest of the International Studies course. Opportunities for elective study are also built into the course. The course aims to produce graduates with employment-related skills and with knowledge of the international developments which will shape the world and Australia's place in it. The course aims to produce graduates who have acquired an understanding of: * the political, social, economic and cultural relationships within the international system; * foreign policy, diplomacy and other modes of interaction between the countries of the world; * Australia's place within the Asia-Pacific region and the world; * the significance of foreign societies, cultures and systems of government; * the international movement of people, as immigrants, refugees, workers, students, tourists and investors; * the globalisation of the world economy; * languages other than English, for students who wish to undertake them. Learning outcomes Bachelor of International Studies graduates should be able to: * contribute to the formulation, implementation and evaluation processes within specific specialist areas of international relations, foreign policy, studies of other countries, societies and governments, and languages; * apply their professional knowledge to the formulation of policies, the provision of policy advice, the preparation of political analyses, the undertaking of policy research, and the evaluation of programs; * apply skills relating to information processing, archival research, documentary and data interpretation, bibliographic compilation, normative evaluation and other related analytical and research techniques; * communicate in a professional manner through analytical professional reports and effective verbal presentations; * be well equipped for graduate-entry employment positions, especially within the public and non-profit sectors.
Course description
The Bachelor of International Studies is a specialist program developed to give you a broad understanding of:
* the political, social, economic and cultural relationships within the international system
* foreign policy, diplomacy and other modes of interaction between the countries of the world
* Australia's place within the Asia-Pacific region and the world
* the significance of foreign societies, cultures and systems of government
* the international movement of people as immigrants, refugees, workers, students, tourists and investors
* the role of international organisations
* the globalisation of the world economy.
The course is extremely flexible, combining a series of core topics in International Relations with 2 major sequences of your choice, including Asian Studies, American Studies, Development Studies and International Relations.
It also provides internship and international exchange opportunities.
What will I study?
Refer to the program of study.
Majors
* Asian Studies
* American Studies
* Development Studies
* International Relations
What is International Studies?
International Studies is the contemporary and historical understanding of global societies, cultures, languages and systems of government and of the complex relationships between them that shape the world we live in.
Why study International Studies at Flinders?
* The Bachelor of International Studies is offered through the School of Political and International Studies and draws on a broad range of recognised expertise at Flinders. The Flinders Asia Centre and Centre for Development Studies are dedicated research and teaching centres and our American Studies program - the only one offered in South Australia - is one of the best in the Asia Pacific Region.
* Our staff specialise in a range of domestic and international policy areas including the environment, housing, immigration, economics, indigenous affairs, foreign affairs, urban development, welfare and education policy.
* We have particular strengths in international relations and in comparative government and politics - the study of the political institutions, political behaviour, political sociology, and political economy in different societies, countries and regions.
* Our combined expertise contributes to the work of Flinders International Asia Pacific Institute, one of the University's flagship institutes. This multi-disciplinary group examines issues that impact on security and wellbeing in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. It offers research and consulting expertise across a range of contemporary and future trans-national policy, security and risk issues and is developing marketable applications of its research, appropriate to the needs of industry, government and communities.
Combined degree options
Combine with
Duration (full-time equivalent)
Bachelor of Business
4 years
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting),
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) 4 years
Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice
5.5 - 6 years
Refer to International studies combined degrees for further information.
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of International Studies degree?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of one extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of International Studies requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time) and the honours program an additional year (or the equivalent part-time).
The course is offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
The Bachelor of International Studies may also be studied in a combined degrees program with:
* Bachelor of Business (four years full-time or equivalent).
* Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) (four years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (five-and-a-half years full-time or equivalent)
* Bachelor of Laws (five years full-time or equivalent)
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Bachelor of International Studies a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic. This must include:
* six compulsory core topics;
* 9 units of other International Studies First Year topics;
* two major sequences of 33 units selected from the options listed below.
To complete 108 units, other topics may be selected from any offered by the University provided entry and course requirements are met and that at least 27 units, but no more than 45 units, of First Year topics are included. In some cases these topics may be grouped to form a minor sequence (comprising 9 units at First Year and 12 units at Second Year).
With the permission of the Faculty Board, up to 54 units of topics may be taken at another approved institution by cross-institutional enrolment.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
The Board may approve substitute topics if a student is unable to undertake particular core topics while studying overseas on a program supported by the course management committee.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
Core Topics
(a)
POLI1003
Australian Politics: A Comparative Study
4.5
INTR1006
International Relations: An Introduction
4.5
INTR1007
Australia and the World
4.5
(b)
Two of the following:
INTR2004
Peace and War
6
INTR2024
The Modern International System
6
INTR2044
Political Economy of the Asia-Pacific Region
6
(c)
INST3001
Perspectives in International Studies
6
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FIRST YEAR TOPICS
Students select at least 9 units from the following:
AMST1001
American Popular Culture
4.5
AMST1002
America and the World: The United States in a Global Context
4.5
ASST1001
Discovering Asia
4.5
ASST1002
Modern Asia: Economy, Society and Politics
4.5
ASST1004
Southeast Asia in World History
4.5
ASST1101
Indonesian, Introductory, Part 1
4.5
ASST1102
Indonesian, Introductory, Part 2
4.5
ASST1201
Indonesian, Introductory A, Part 1
4.5
ASST1202
Indonesian, Introductory A, Part 2
4.5
ASST1301
Indonesian for Background Speakers, Part 1
4.5
ASST1302
Indonesian for Background Speakers, Part 2
4.5
DVST1001
The Political Economy of International Development
4.5
DVST1002
Culture and Development
4.5
FREN1121
French 1, Part 1
4.5
FREN1122
French 1, Part 2
4.5
GLOB1001
Introduction to Globalisation
4.5
GLOB1002
Making Globalisation
4.5
HIST1702
New World Nations, 1800-1918
4.5
HIST1703
Turning Points in World History
4.5
HIST1704
History's Killing Fields
4.5
HIST1801
Modern Europe, 1900-1945
4.5
HIST1802
Europe, 1945 to the Present
4.5
INTR1010
The Middle East: From the Rebirth of Zionism to the Iraq War
4.5
ITAL1121
Italian 1, Part 1
4.5
ITAL1122
Italian 1, Part 2
4.5
LAMS1001
Introduction to Latin American Studies
4.5
MGRE1121
Modern Greek, Part 1
4.5
MGRE1122
Modern Greek, Part 2
4.5
POLI1004
Modern Political Thought
4.5
POLI1005
Australian Politics: Aboriginal Issues and Immigration
4.5
POLI1008
Politics Through Film
4.5
POLI1009
Government, Business and Society
4.5
SPAN1121
Spanish 1, Part 1
4.5
SPAN1122
Spanish 1, Part 2
4.5
First Year topics from any other recognised university-level studies in any foreign language
MAJOR SEQUENCE OPTIONS
Students select two of the following sequences, at least one of which must be from Group 1 (which includes the Globalisation Program).
The programs of study for major sequences in Groups 1 and 2 can be found in the Bachelor of Arts entry.
* Group 1:
American Studies; Asian Studies; Development Studies; Globalisation; History; International Relations; Latin American Studies; Politics
* Group 2:
French; Indonesian; Italian; Modern Greek; Spanish
* Group 3:
Chinese, German and Japanese are taught at University of Adelaide. These language majors are recognised in the Bachelor of International Studies. Any other recognised university-level sequence in any foreign language approved by the Director of Studies.
HONOURS DEGREE
A student who has completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of International Studies, or another qualification which the Faculty Board agrees is equivalent, may be accepted as a candidate for the honours degree providing a sufficiently high standard has been achieved in fulfilling the requirements for the bachelors degree.
Honours programs may be undertaken in the following disciplines with program details in the Bachelor of Arts entry: American Studies; Asian Studies; Development Studies; French; History; Indonesian; International Relations; Italian; Latin American Studies; Modern Greek; Politics and Spanish.
