International Relations Minor Thesis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

255 hours

HIST90031 International Relations Minor Thesis is available to students enrolled in the 100 point program of the Master of International Relations. Students are required to submit a 300 word thesis proposal for approval by the course coordinator prior to the semester of enrolment in the thesis.

HIST90031 International Relations Minor Thesis is also available to students enrolled in the final 100 points in the 200 point program of the Master of International Relations. To be eligible to enrol in the thesis, students must have completed at least 37.5 points of compulsory subjects within the program, with a minimum average of H1 (80%) and have submitted a 300 word thesis proposal for approval by the course coordinator prior to the semester of enrolment in the thesis.

Students enrolled in the thesis must also complete POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject involves completion of a supervised thesis of 12 000 words, embodying the results of the student's own research. The thesis is to be submitted at the end of the second semester of enrolment.

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

• demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
• show advanced skills of analysis pertinent to the subject;
• demonstrate advanced research methods skills;
• show a detailed sense of the theoretical debates in the subject area;
• demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research; and
• demonstrate a capacity to communicate research effectively and persuasively in written form.

A thesis of 12,000 words due in October for students who commence in Semester 1 and June for students who commence in semester 2 (100%)

Hurdle Requirements - The following hurdle requirements must be met in order for students to be eligible to submit the final thesis:

1. Supervision: Regular supevisory meetings

2. Topic Proposal Form: To be submitted by the first week of the semester of thesis enrolment.

3. Progress Report: To be submitted half way through the thesis year.

4.Thesis Draft: A full draft of the thesis is to be submitted approximately 5 weeks prior to the final thesis submission date.

Final Theses submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day.

Appropriate texts will be determined in consultation with the thesis supervisor.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who complete this subject should:

• be able to conceptualise and plan a substantial project of original research;
• be able to present material in draft form and engage productively with a supervisor;
• be able to consolidate and enhance established skills in engaging creatively with a critical field;
• be able to synthesise critical arguments and debates;
• be able to test and develop new research methods in relation to ongoing debates;
• be able to enhance drafting and writing skills, in both a critical and creative manner;
• be able to manage time and study resources over a sustained period of time.

Students are required to enrol in the thesis subject over two consecutive semesters.

The Master of International Relations offers two thesis subjects – HIST90031 and POLS90027. It is important that students enrol in the thesis that is administered by the School in which their supervisor is housed, e.g. HIST90031 if supervisor works in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies; POLS90027 if supervisor works in the School of Social and Political Sciences.