Honours Overview

Description

Honours in Political Science and International Relations provides an opportunity to study political science and international relations in both greater depth and greater scope than is possible in earlier undergraduate years. It is designed to develop an enhanced knowledge base in the discipline, together with analytical and research skills appropriate to the advanced study of politics. If you wish to have the option of postgraduate research, an honours degree (or its equivalent) is essential. Honours is academically rather than vocationally oriented, yet many students have found this degree to be useful in their subsequent careers. Employers are increasingly aware that an honours degree signifies a higher level of attainment than a three-year degree. For those of our recent graduates who have gone to work for Commonwealth and State public services, parliament or members of parliament, non-governmental organisations, public relations agencies and media organisations, the degree has proven of direct vocational use.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of key theories and methods in political science and international relations; (2) have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of empirical and theoretical concepts in political science and international relations; (3) demonstrate ability to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge with with intellectual independence to provide understanding of complex problems and issues in political science and international relations; (4) identify, plan and implement an original research project in political science and international relations, including appropriate ethical issues; and (5) produce high-level oral and written communication appropriate to the discipline.

Entry requirements

The equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in the Level 3 units of the Political Science and International Relations major.

Intake periods

Beginning of year only

Courses

Honours in Political Science and International Relations can be taken as a specialisation in the following degrees:

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
NS
non-standard teaching period

See the School of Social Sciences Honours Handbook for details on semester study patterns.

Take all units (36 points)::
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
NS ANTH4103 Knowing Social Realities: Theoretical Foundations
Incompatibility
ANTH7483 Honours Seminar 3 (Anthropology)
NS SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
any Honours Programme
or a Masters dissertation project.
Incompatibility
COMM4101 Concepts in Communication, COMM7481 Honours Seminar 1 (Communication Studies)
S1, S2 SOCS4140 Honours Dissertation 1None
S1, S2 SOCS4141 Honours Dissertation 2
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
SOCS4140 Honours Dissertation 1
Group A—take 6 points from Group A.
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
NS POLS5501 The Politics of Public Policy
Incompatibility
LAWS5214 Public Policy
NS POLS5506 Gender and International Relations
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-POLSC Political Science and International Relations
or 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations
or 11580 Master of International Relations
NS POLS5631 International Relations of the Asia–Pacific
Incompatibility
POLS8603 International Relations in the Asia–Pacific Region.
POLS5631 International Relations of the Asia–Pacific: the Role of Major Powers.
POLS5632 Major Issues and Regional Organisations in the Asia–Pacific
NS POLS5641 International Security
Incompatibility
POLS8604 Problems of International Security.
POLS5642 Contemporary Issues in International Security
NS POLS5681 Governance in the International SystemNone
Group B—take 6 points from Group B.
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
NS POLS5503 Public AdministrationNone
NS POLS5507 Geopolitical Flashpoints
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-POLSC Political Science and International Relations
or 11380 Graduate Diploma in International Relations
or 11580 Master of International Relations
NS POLS5611 Religion, Global Identities and World Politics
Incompatibility
POLS8601 Identities in Global Politics: Nationalism, Ethnicity and Religion
NS POLS5651 Global Political Economy
Incompatibility
POLS8605 States and International Political Economy.
POLS5652 International Political Economy: Dynamics of Crises
NS POLS5691 Global Climate PoliticsNone