International Relations Minor Thesis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

255 Hours per Semester

This subject is available to students enrolled in the 100 point Master of International Relations program. To be eligible to enrol in the thesis, students must have a GPA of 80% (H1) or above from the last one hundred points of previous study (or equivalent) and have submitted a 300 word thesis proposal for approval by the course coordinator prior to the first semester of enrolment in the thesis.

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

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 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 successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied; and
• show advanced skills of analysis pertinent to the subject; and
• demonstrate advanced research methods skills; and
• show a detailed sense of the theoretical debates in the subject area; and
• 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 (Final Thesis submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day) (100%), due in October for students who commence in Semester 1 and June for students who commence in semester 2.

Hurdle Requirements - 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.

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

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

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