Political Science and International Relations major
Societies can only continue to exist if they solve the problem of internal order and are able to protect themselves from external threats. Political Science and International Relations studies how societies govern themselves and the collective decisions, or public policies, they need, or choose, to make. Attention is given to the different ways government is organised; values such as liberty, participation, majority rule and minority rights which inform political institutions and public policy; and ideologies such as conservatism, liberalism, socialism, feminism and environmentalism which have motivated much political action in modern societies. International relations focuses on the ways in which states and peoples interact with other states, regional or global political organisations, and social movements in an increasingly interdependent world.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) Demonstrate advanced knowledge about the nature of politics and the functions of diverse political ideas, theories, actors, institutions and systems; (2) Critically evaluate key political and policy dynamics at local, national, transnational, regional and international levels; (3) Creatively apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to independently and collaboratively address challenges, crises and change in the political world; (4) Competently apply basic Political Science and International Relations methods and skills to designing and executing social research; and (5) Effectively communicate political knowledge, ideas, analyses and arguments in different formats..
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Political Science and International Relations can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP001 Bachelor of Arts
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Political Science and International Relations is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- three Level 2 units
- three Level 3 units
Key to availability of units: |
---|
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | POLS1101 | Understanding Politics and Policy | |
S2 | POLS1102 | Understanding Global Politics |
Level 2
Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | POLS2201 | Foundations of Public Policy |
|
S2 | POLS2202 | Foundations of Comparative Politics |
|
S1 | POLS2214 | Foundations of Foreign Policy |
|
S2 | POLS2220 | Foundations of Global Political Economy |
|
S1 | PPHE2211 | History of Political Ideas |
|
Level 3
Group A—take units to the value of 18 points from Group A and B.
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | POLS3204 | The Politics of Gender |
|
S1 | POLS3231 | Politics of the Mass Media |
|
S1 | POLS3302 | South Asia and the Middle East: Foreign Relations and Politics |
|
N/A | POLS3308 | Politics in Greater China |
|
N/A | POLS3324 | Islam and World Politics |
|
S2 | POLS3334 | The International Politics of Africa |
|
N/A | POLS3335 | Social Movements and the Politics of Change |
|
S2 | POLS3342 | Global Environmental Politics |
|
S1 | PPHE3327 | Contemporary Political Theory |
|
Group B—take units to the value of 18 points from Group A and B (maximum value of 6 points from Group B).
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | PARL3399 | WA Parliamentary Research Program |
|
N/A | POLS3304 | Policy and Diplomacy in Practice |
|
NS, S1, S2 | WILG3001 | Professional Experience Practicum |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Political Science and International Relations degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Arts course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Political Science and International Relations degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Arts course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .