Whether you want to learn a new language or study a new culture, explore great books, ideas or minds, discover the past, analyse the present or consider the shape of the world's future, the Bachelor of Arts will expand your horizons and challenge you to think outside the box. Offering broad choice across more than 45 subject areas in the humanities and social sciences, no two arts degrees are quite the same. You will study a major and a minor, choosing both from our broad choice across the humanities and social sciences, or selecting your minor from the University's shared pool. Whatever your focus, when you undertake our Bachelor of Arts degree you will be guided by the expertise of an internationally respected group of educators. With arts and humanities at the University of Sydney consistently recognised as among the top 20 faculties globally in academic rankings, our Bachelor of Arts degree is both highly regarded and well supported by research leaders. International Relations is the study of the international political, social, cultural and economic system. You will explore the historical development of that system and gain a comprehensive understanding of the actors, institutions, and processes of international relations. The major focuses on territorial states that acknowledge no superior authority over issues vital to national interest. You will analyse the nature of this system—the rules and forces governing the behaviour of states, the factors that lead to military conflict or peaceful co-operation, and the current trends towards both a more globally integrated, and a more fragmented world. In your first year you will be introduced to the core theories, concepts and institutions in international relations, and the history of international system. The second and third year units progressively build upon these foundations, further developing your understanding of central issues, including international security, international organisations, international political economy, and international law. You will also explore the role that international institutions play in shaping policy decisions at the global level. This major covers key research and teaching areas including: the study of the politics of countries around the world, and the way these nations interact in the international arena (foreign affairs, strategic behaviour and diplomacy) policy-making processes at the international level war and peace, security, terrorism, the international political economy, global cultures, international environmental politics, human rights and security. As a graduate you will have developed critical analytical skills and knowledge desired by public, private and non-profit organisations, both domestically and internationally. Graduate opportunities Our graduates enter a wide range of careers. Examples include: Aid worker Business and government consultant Diplomat Human rights officer International relations officer Journalist Market researcher Policy analyst Public service positions