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Section Title

Recommended Study Sequence

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Advanced Standing

Students demonstrating successful completion of relevant studies at other tertiary institutions prior to enrolment may be granted advanced standing for those studies, in accordance with current UWS policy.

Admission

Assumed knowledge: two units of Band 4 HSC English Recommended studies: HSC English Standard, or equivalent

UAI score of at least 90 required for scholarship for 1 semester of study abroad

Applications from Australian citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre.

International applicants must apply directly to the University of Western Sydney via UWS International.

Students must complete the four BA core units:

Australia and the World

This unit introduces students to Australia’s history, its political structures and processes and its relationship to the world. It offers an understanding of Australia as part of a worldwide process of European colonisation, and the struggles of space and land involved in this process. The unit offers an introduction to the Westminster system and also explores Australia’s historical and contemporary relations with Japan, China, Indonesia, the United States and Great Britain.

Analytical Reading and Writing

This unit aims to develop and refine students' skills in analytical writing, critical reasoning and the analysis of argument. It aims to develop students' understanding of how arguments are made, along with their ability to analyse and evaluate arguments, while at the same time helping them develop the capacity to make sophisticated arguments in essay form. Sample topics from which students can choose include: advanced database use, Endnote, techniques of analysis, punctuation, grammar, and advanced Internet use.

Texts and Traditions

Students will be introduced to one or more literary traditions in relation to their cultural and linguistic contexts, for example: The Western literary tradition from ancient Greek epic and drama to twentieth-century English literature,diasporic literary traditions surveying writings about America, Europe, the Middle East or Indian subcontinent, or colonial and postcolonial world literatures, including Australia; or the literatures of the Spanish or Arabic-speaking worlds.

Contemporary Society

Contemporary Society introduces students to central issues in social analysis and a range of perspectives that have been used to understand the social world. It provides them with a theoretical grounding in the central concepts and methods of social theory through an encounter with problems raised when social theory directly engages with practical problems such as racism, environmentalism, inequality etc.

Students must also complete units in the following, as per the chosen course structure:

Major

Asian Studies and International Relations

Sub-major

A sub-major in a language other than English (Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese or Spanish) may be undertaken in conjunction with the major.

Bankstown campus

Arabic

Chinese

Japanese

Italian

Spanish

Parramatta campus

Chinese

Japanese

B International Studies Summary Course Structure without Study Abroad Beginner’s Level of Language Skills

Year 1

Autumn session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 1 Language unit

Asia in the World

This unit introduces Asian Studies and International Relations. Considering both traditional and contemporary times, it seeks to place Asia’s diverse cultures in a global context. It examines issues such as how to define Asia, how Asian states related to each other, and how Western ideas of international relations have transformed these relations. The unit has two strands, each considering a set of ideas. First it examines the great religions/philosophies of Asian societies – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Confucianism – have influenced them. It then considers international relations theory and how theories can help us understand the complexities of Asian states’ relations with each other and the wider world.

Spring session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 1 Language unit

Elective

Year 2

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2 Language unit

Elective

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2 Language unit

Elective

Year 3

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Elective

Elective

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Elective

Elective

Elective

B International Studies Summary Course Structure Study Abroad semester option for students with Beginner’s Level of Language Skills

Year 1

Autumn session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 1 Language unit

Asia in the World

This unit introduces Asian Studies and International Relations. Considering both traditional and contemporary times, it seeks to place Asia’s diverse cultures in a global context. It examines issues such as how to define Asia, how Asian states related to each other, and how Western ideas of international relations have transformed these relations. The unit has two strands, each considering a set of ideas. First it examines the great religions/philosophies of Asian societies – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Confucianism – have influenced them. It then considers international relations theory and how theories can help us understand the complexities of Asian states’ relations with each other and the wider world.

Spring session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 1 Language unit

Elective

Year 2

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2 Language unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2 Language unit

Elective

Year 3

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Elective

Elective

Spring session

Study Abroad semester

B International Studies Summary Course Structure without Study Abroad Intermediate or Advanced Level of Language Skills

Year 1

Autumn session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 2 Language unit

Asia in the World

This unit introduces Asian Studies and International Relations. Considering both traditional and contemporary times, it seeks to place Asia’s diverse cultures in a global context. It examines issues such as how to define Asia, how Asian states related to each other, and how Western ideas of international relations have transformed these relations. The unit has two strands, each considering a set of ideas. First it examines the great religions/philosophies of Asian societies – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Confucianism – have influenced them. It then considers international relations theory and how theories can help us understand the complexities of Asian states’ relations with each other and the wider world.

Spring session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Elective

Elective

Year 2

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2 Language unit

Elective

Elective

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 3 Language unit

Elective

Year 3

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 3 Language unit

Elective

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Elective

Elective

B International Studies Summary Course Structure with Year 2 Study Abroad semester option, for students with Intermediate or Advanced Level of Language Skills

Year 1

Autumn session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 2 Language unit

Asia in the World

This unit introduces Asian Studies and International Relations. Considering both traditional and contemporary times, it seeks to place Asia’s diverse cultures in a global context. It examines issues such as how to define Asia, how Asian states related to each other, and how Western ideas of international relations have transformed these relations. The unit has two strands, each considering a set of ideas. First it examines the great religions/philosophies of Asian societies – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Confucianism – have influenced them. It then considers international relations theory and how theories can help us understand the complexities of Asian states’ relations with each other and the wider world.

Spring session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 2 Language unit

Elective

Year 2

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 3 Language unit

Elective

Spring session

Study Abroad semester

Year 3

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 3 Language unit

Elective

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Elective

B International Studies Summary Course Structure with Year 3 Study Abroad semester option, for students with Intermediate or Advanced Level of Language Skills

Year 1

Autumn session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Level 2 Language unit

Asia in the World

This unit introduces Asian Studies and International Relations. Considering both traditional and contemporary times, it seeks to place Asia’s diverse cultures in a global context. It examines issues such as how to define Asia, how Asian states related to each other, and how Western ideas of international relations have transformed these relations. The unit has two strands, each considering a set of ideas. First it examines the great religions/philosophies of Asian societies – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Confucianism – have influenced them. It then considers international relations theory and how theories can help us understand the complexities of Asian states’ relations with each other and the wider world.

Spring session

BA Core unit

BA Core unit

Elective

Elective

Year 2

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2 Language unit

Elective

Spring session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 3 Language unit

Elective

Year 3

Autumn session

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Level 3 Language unit

Level 2/3 ASIR unit

Spring session

Study Abroad semester

Bachelor of International Studies

International Studies examines the relationships of societies, cultures, languages and systems of government within the international system. It will develop your capacity to analyse the historical development of relations among nation states and contemporary political, social and cultural issues, such as globalisation, trans-nationalism and migration.

International Studies combines studies from a range of disciplines and fields of study, including Asian Studies, History, International Governance, International Relations, Peace Studies, Politics, Security tudies, and modern languages (Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Japanese or Spanish). Your major study will be Asian Studies and International Relations, and your sub-major will be Languages.

The course provides for one semester study abroad during three years of full-time study.
 

Course Details

Bachelor of International Studies

UAC Code Campus ATAR 
700600

Bankstown
 
81.65
700650

Parramatta
 
New Course

A Career in International Studies

As a graduate of the Bachelor International Studies, you will enjoy a wide range of career options. Employment opportunities may be found in:
»» business and industry
»» cultural and public policy
»» education and research
»» overseas organisations
»» state and Commonwealth public services
»» trade and tourist organisations

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.

Assumed Knowledge

Any two units of HSC English.

Application Information

To lodge an application for the course of your choice check the Application Information.

Honours

An additional Honours year is available to high-achieving students.

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

For further assistance contact the UWS Course Information Centre.