International Relations Minor Thesis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

POLS90027 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.

POLS90027 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

Students enrolled in the MIR thesis are not permitted to enrol in the International Relations Internship.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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

On completion of this subject students should:

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

A thesis of 12 000 words, due at the end of the second semester of enrolment.

The following Hurdle Requirements must be met in order for students to be eligible to submit the final Thesis:

1. Supervision: Regular supervisory 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.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students 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, i.e. HIST90031 if supervisor works in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, POLS90027 if supervisor works in the School of Social and Political Sciences.