Program Structure

The Master of Arts (International Studies) Program is a nested one. In other words, work that is completed for the Graduate Certificate can either result in the award of this qualification, or it can be used for the award of the Graduate Diploma, or, beyond that, the MA degree. For the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, students will have to pass two components (12 Units) of study: a Core Subject and an Optional Subject. As full-time students, this would normally take one semester of study to complete; part-time students would do so in two semesters. Progression from the Graduate Diploma requires two more subjects (a second Core Subject and a second Optional Subject, or another 12 Units of study). An MA is awarded with another 12 Units made up of a research component (a thesis, which would normally be completed in one semester of full-time research and two semesters of part-time work). If a student is accepted for the Graduate Certificate, they will normally be allowed to progress to the Graduate Diploma and beyond that to the MA by performing satisfactorily in their coursework. Satisfactory progress is generally defined as marks of 65 (Credit) or better

Approximately eight courses are offered each year, which include core courses Approaches & Issues in International Studies and International Politics in the Post Cold War and offerings from a range of specialisations. Courses are delivered over a standard 12-week semester and a detailed timetable for courses is available under Enrolment Information..

The full program is a coursework Masters degree, comprising of four courses (Graduate Diploma), followed by a dissertation. Depending upon a student's course selection, the Masters program may be completed in one and a half years.

Options

• Graduate Certificate In International Studies
• Graduate Diploma in International Studies
• Master of Arts (International Studies)

Format

Being made up of advanced study, delivery of teaching in the program will normally be in the form of ten two-hour postgraduate seminars for each Subject. The seminars will be conducted in the form of a presentation of student seminar papers and discussion. Reading lists will be extensive ones, with students expected to have done sufficient reading to follow the discussion. Attendance at seminars is compulsory. Unsatisfactory progress (documented misadventure or illness excepted) will be deemed to include non-attendance at a large proportion of seminars. Students will generally develop the topics they have presented on into their research essays. They should, however, consult closely with the Lecturer-in-Charge regarding the nature, scope and form of their essay question, and do so in good time before the deadlines .

Courses on offer in 2009

Semester 1

• International Politics of the Post Cold War*
• Politics and History of Contemporary Europe
• Sex and Equality in the Liberal Democratic State
• The State of the Situation
• Regionalism and Multilateralism

Semester 2

• Strategic Cultures and Unconventional Conflict*
• How Much is Society Worth?
• Political Economy of Contemporary China
• Nuclear Policy & Regional Security in Northeast Asia
• Intelligence Analysis

* core courses

Please note that the availability of courses on offer in 2009 is subject to change.