International Relations and Security Studies (2018)
Like most states, New Zealand depends for its security and prosperity on regional and international stability. Its political, economic and societal well-being can be affected by, for example, major power relations; global financial crises; and the rise of violent extremist non-state actors and the responses to them. As a good international citizen, New Zealand seeks to play a role in the international institutions that try to uphold international law and order and to contribute to international stabilisation operations in various countries. Given the significance of such issues, International Relations and Security Studies provides students with the opportunity to pursue further study in various aspects of international relations and security, including aspects of international law and trade, and to focus on particular regions of concern (notably, the Middle East and South-East Asia). A wide range of different length dissertations and theses can be undertaken, allowing students to focus on areas of special interest to them.
Note: Within the BA and BSocSc Political Science majors, a specialisation in International Relations and Security Studies is available. Details of the specialisation requirements can be obtained from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
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Prescriptions for the PGCert(IRSSt), PGDip(IRSSt) and MA
To complete the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Security Studies, students must complete at least 120 points from the following papers, including at least two of LAWS576, POLS502, POLS506 or POLS527.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in International Relations and Security Studies, a student should have completed either:
a) a BA or BSocSc in Political Science (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average in either the best three of their 300 level Political Science papers or all of their undergraduate Political Science papers, or
b) a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Security Studies or a bachelors degree with Honours in Political Science (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average across all 500 level papers.
Completion requirements for the MA in International Relations and Security Studies vary according to admission criteria:
All students must take at least two of LAWS576, POLS502, POLS506 or POLS527 (unless these have already been taken as part of an earlier qualification) and complete either a dissertation or a thesis.
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including either a 120 point thesis, or a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
To be considered for enrolment in a dissertation or thesis, all students must have completed at least 60 points from approved 500 level papers and have gained at least a B average to be admitted to POLS592, at least a B+ average to be admitted to POLS593 and at least an A- average to be admitted to POLS594.
100 Level
Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location IRSST103 Introduction to International Relations 18A (Hamilton) & 18A (Online) This paper provides an introduction to the study of international relations in an era of globalisation. It covers the historical background, key concepts and theories, case studies, and contemporary developments in the study of world politics. POLSC100 Playing Politics: Conflict, Co-operation and Choice 18T (Hamilton) This paper introduces students to some of the basic concepts used in thinking about politics: conflict, cooperation, collective choice, and power. 200 Level
Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location IRSST229 The US and the World 18T (Hamilton) In the post-Cold War era the United States has assumed a prominent role in world politics. This paper explores the domestic and international political dimensions of that role. POLSC224 Terrorism, Violence and the State 18A (Hamilton) Terrorism is an increasingly prominent global phenomenon. We will clarify it conceptually and situate it historically with theory and case studies in situating it in comparative political and International Relations analysis. 300 Level
Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location IRSS331 Cyber Security and the Global Politics of the Internet 18B (Hamilton) This paper explores the global politics of cyber security and the internet. It covers the major political/strategic/theoretical debates around enhancing the security of computer systems and how states and non-state actors are responding. 500 Level
Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location ANTH514 Ethnic and Indigenous Minorities This paper will not be taught in 2018 This paper will not be taught in 2018 ANTH520 Tribes, Empires, Nations 18B (Hamilton) This paper examines tribes, empires, and nations as historically distinct types of political systems, and the ongoing influence of tribal and imperial cultures and institutions in diverse contemporary nation-states. ANTHY520 Tribes, Empires, Nations This paper will not be taught in 2018 This paper will not be taught in 2018 ECON531 International Trade: Theory and Policy Issues This paper will not be taught in 2018 This paper will not be taught in 2018 ECON532 International Finance and Open Economy Macroeconomics 18B (Hamilton) This paper provides a systematic analysis of financial relationships among nations and related policy issues. Topics to be discussed include the foreign exchange market, exchange rate determination, the balance of payments, the international monetary system and adjustment and policy co-ordination. IRSST505 International Security, Strategy and Technology 18A (Hamilton) This course offers an introduction to Strategic Studies with particular emphasis on how developments in science and technology affect warfare, conflict, and the use of force in international relations. IRSST507 Cyber Security and Cyber Warfare 18B (Hamilton) This course examines the poltical, strategic, legal and economic debates around cyber security and cyber warfare. Particular emphasis is placed on how militaries, national security agencies, and law enforcement are adapting to online threats and incorporating cyber in their strategic planning. LAWS531 International Environmental Law This paper will not be taught in 2018 This paper will not be taught in 2018 LAWS576 The Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law This paper will not be taught in 2018 This paper will not be taught in 2018 LEGAL531 International Environmental Law 18A (Hamilton) This paper provides a synthesis of theory and specific case studies (such as devopment, growth, trade, debt and aid - as as they relate to the international environment), so that the student will be able to understand the most formidable international environmental problems in international law and the context from which these prob... LEGAL576 The Laws of Armed Conflict & International Humanitarian Law 18B (Hamilton) This paper is designed to provide the postgraduate student with an advanced understanding of the basic principles of the Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law through an examination of the principles of international law that are to be applied before, during, and after armed conflict. POLS502 Security Issues in South East Asia 18B (Hamilton) After a brief conceptual and historical introduction to security in the region, the paper goes on to consider a range of contemporary security issues. These include ethnic conflict, militant Islam, maritime security, and relations with the major extra-regional powers. POLS503 Democratisation, Democracy and Mass Politics 18B (Hamilton) The concepts, approaches and literature of democracy, democratisation and mass politics, including theories of elitism, authoritarianism and transition to democracy and mass political psychology, democratic socialism, and democracy and capitalism, as well as an examination of relevant case studies. POLS506 International Relations and Global Security 18A (Hamilton) This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and peace, globalisation, the Cold War, the widening security agenda, terrorism, the environment, inequality, new technologies, and international institutions. POLS527 Strategic Issues in the Middle East This paper will not be taught in 2018 This paper will not be taught in 2018 POLS537 Environmental Politics and Public Policy 18A (Hamilton) This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on environmental policy making. A significant focus of the paper is on analysing and understanding the complex intersections of institutions, culture, science and technology, and systems of ... POLS590 Directed Study 18A (Hamilton), 18B (Hamilton), 18C (Hamilton) & 18Y (Hamilton) Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. POLS591 Dissertation 18A (Hamilton), 18B (Hamilton), 18C (Hamilton) & 18Y (Hamilton) A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. POLS592 Dissertation 18C (Hamilton) A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. POLS593 Political Science Thesis 18C (Hamilton) An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. POLS594 Political Science Thesis 18C (Hamilton) An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
2018 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 19 July 2018 11:44am