The purpose of the International Relations (IR) major is to provide students with a solid grounding in the core theories, issues and debates in the discipline. This commences in first year with an introduction to key conceptual approaches (incorporating realism, neoliberalism, social constructivism and Marxist approaches). These approaches are then used to evaluate key contemporary issues such as globalisation, changing patterns of power, poverty and dependency, human rights and international justice, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, security and war, and the role of international institutions and regimes. After completing their first year of study, students have the option of studying themes that encapsulate core sub--‐ disciplinary debates. These include the foreign policies of great powers, international political economy, order and justice in IR, the international politics of the Asia--‐Pacific, and international security. We have deliberately developed these units to provide pathways that allow students to focus either on national security issues or those that are more focused on global justice and rights. High achieving students then finish with a ‘capstone’ unit – HIR311 – with a more intensive theory--‐and--‐research focus. The intention here is that our students can develop their own specialisation that matches the hiring profiles of agencies and organisations. These include government departments specialising in international affairs (such as DFAT, Defence, ASIO, ASIS, DIO, Immigration and others) as well as the United Nations, human rights and aid NGOs, and businesses working in a competitive global marketplace that frequently hire IR graduates. If you wish to major and minor, or double major, in International Relations and Politics & Policy HIR101 and HPP101 cannot count to both and different introductory level units will be required. Please choose another minor that commences at first year and complete the 2 x introductory level units towards this discipline, eg Sociology HGA101 and HGA102. You will then commence your IR OR Politics & Policy major/minor from second year with the normal units as per schedule. Learning Outcomes Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (AQF Level 7) will be able to: Demonstrate a broad general knowledge from a range of humanities and social science disciplines and an in-depth knowledge in one or more of these disciplines Demonstrate analytic and technical skills to recognise and reflect on social, cultural, political, ethical, environmental issues in the local, cross-cultural and global contexts Review, analyse, and consolidate knowledge and skills in one or more of the humanities and social science disciplines to define and solve problems with intellectual independence Communicate disciplinary perspectives and knowledge effectively, to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, oral and visual means Demonstrate knowledge, skills and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship