Future Students

Politics (including International Relations)

The Subject Area

Politics at Macquarie University covers Australian politics, political theory and international relations. Australian politics is concerned with familiarising you with institutional structures and recent political history, introducing basic concepts and analytical approaches to the study of politics as well as the politics of other areas of the world.

Political theory and public policy introduces the major debates in the field and different ways of political thinking. You will be introduced to the ideas of influential political theorists and debates about democracy, liberalism, justice, feminism and civil society. The study of international relations is concerned with relations among states, the role of international organisations and the foreign policy of particular countries and the Third World.

You may choose to specialise in any of the sub-fields or choose a combination of topics. Politics and international relations units are available by distance study as well as internally.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP Course Duration
Bachelor of Arts 76.00 3 years full-time/equivalent part-time/ 3-6 years distance
Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Laws 95.45 5 years full-time
Bachelor of Arts with Diploma of Education 75.00 4 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Social Science 76.10 3 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Social Science with Bachelor of Laws 96.35 5 years full-time

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What You Will Study

You must complete a program of study (major) in one of the following:

  • Politics
  • History and Politics

Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • area studies (Africa, America, the Middle East)
  • Australian politics (institutions, political history and contemporary issues)
  • comparative politics (revolutions, states and nations)
  • international relations (Australian, United States)
  • political philosophy (thinking politically, power and legitimacy)
  • public policy (media, Australian government)

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

First-year politics units do not require any assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook for Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Career Options

  • journalism
  • non-government organisations
  • parliamentary staff
  • politics (municipal, state, federal)
  • public affairs management        
  • teaching (civics)
  • diplomacy

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Further Information

Department of International Studies, Politics and Security
Macquarie University, NSW 2109
Telephone:  (02) 9850 8869
Fax: (02) 9850 6064
Email:  pais@mq.edu.au
Web: www.pol.mq.edu.au

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