Bachelor of Arts - International Studies

Politics and International Studies provides students with a working knowledge of society and how decisions are made. Governments, politicians, leaders in private industry and ordinary individuals function within a framework of accepted political norms, e.g. notions of justice, freedom, rights and duties. Over time, these received norms are challenged by conventional methods such as voting, political parties, interest group lobbying and protest movements; or the challenge may be by militant or revolutionary means such as radical Marxism, fascist organizations or discrete acts of terrorism. Politics and International Studies systematically examines and presents these phenomena.

A degree in Politics and International Studies may lead to further specialization, e.g. an M.A. in a one year programme, or a Ph.D. It is also a preparation for professional studies in law, teaching, journalism and public administration. Our graduates have a high success rate in being admitted to Law and Graduate Schools.

Lectures, seminars and individual tutorials are normal methods of instruction and the department stresses personal contact with students as much as possible in order to assist students in choosing a postgraduate career in government, business or the academic field.

The International Studies programs provide students with working knowledge of the global community in which they live, and prepare them to pursue careers involving international interactions. The programs consist of an integrated group of courses reflecting international aspects from cultural, economic, environmental, legal, political and social perspectives.

Foreign language training and study abroad experiences are also incorporated into the programs.

The Global Governance Concentration introduces theories, concepts and issues in world politics, examining areas such as conflict and intervention, peace and security, human rights, multinational corporations, environmental issues and globalization.

The Global Culture Concentration is designed for those students who wish to develop critical understanding about how cultures are formed, the social and political impacts of cultural growth, and the comparison of different cultures.