- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Bachelor of International Studies
Testamur Title: |
Bachelor of International Studies |
Abbreviation: |
BIntlSt |
Home Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Course Duration: |
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
Total Credit Points: |
144 |
Delivery Mode: |
On campus (Face-to-face) |
Starting Session(s): |
Autumn/Spring |
Campus: |
Wollongong |
UOW Course Code: |
1817 |
UAC Code: |
753121 |
CRICOS Code: |
064122E |
Overview
The Bachelor of International Studies is an interdisciplinary degree. As its title suggests, it challenges students to think beyond the confines of traditional disciplines and seek different approaches to its central theme, International Studies. But what does 'International Studies' mean? It means the analysis, appreciation and study of the diversity of the global community. The degree reflects a growing scholarship that concentrates on processes and forces that know no national boundaries. By combining a core set of subjects, a language and an area of special study called a minor, the degree equips students with a theoretical background, a language and a specialised area of study that can help them in future careers in international organisations both overseas and in Australia, as part of the public sector or as part of non government organisations.
Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge
NSW HSC entry through UAC
Students apply through UAC and satisfy the ATAR (previously UAI) requirement for the year of application.
Assumed Knowledge: Any two units of English.
Other Secondary Qualifications
Students with secondary qualifications outside NSW and without an ATAR will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Tertiary Qualifications
Applications will be considered from students with the following tertiary qualifications:
A completed two-year Diploma or Advanced Diploma from TAFE or another accredited institution;
not less than one-sixth of a Bachelor degree from an approved University; other tertiary courses approved by the University of Wollongong.
Overseas Qualifications
Students with tertiary qualifications obtained overseas will be considered provided that they satisfy the University's minimum admission requirements.
Alternative Entry (Domestic applicants)
Applicants who achieve an appropriate score in one of the following qualifications may be considered for admission:
Overseas Year 12, equivalent to Year 12 in Australia.
TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).
A Diploma or Foundation Studies Program from a recognised private institution
University Access Program (Wollongong College Australia) - for people over 21 years of age, or are 21 during the course of the program.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) for people over 20 years of age on 1 March in the year preceding enrolment.
Indigenous and Torres Strait islander alternative entry program
Course Requirements
To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of International Studies course code 1817 a student must complete a total of at least 144 credit points from subjects listed in the Course Structure of the Bachelor of International Studies and other subjects as approved by the Faculty.
The 144 credit points shall include:
a) The core subjects prescribed (52 credit points) for the International Studies degree;
b) A minimum of a minor in a language other than English (minimum of 28 credit points; students may elect to take a major in a language);
c) At least one of the four minors listed in this degree: Asia Pacific Studies; Global Development and the Environment; International Communication; Peace and Security Studies (minimum of 24 credit points but no more than 32). These will normally be available in the second and third years of study. Upon graduation minors will appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record).
d) To complete the credit points required for the degree, students can take an additional minor offered in this degree or elective subjects. Students taking an additional minor as part of their degree can also choose from those minors offered in the Bachelor of Arts or those offered by other faculties provided they meet the requirements set by those faculties. Students may not cross count subjects from a nominated minor into any other minor or major.
e) Not more than 60 credit points in 100-level subjects.
f) ARTS100 Peer-2-Peer Mentoring.
Core subjects | |||
Subject Code |
Subject Name |
Credit Points |
Session |
INTS100 |
Introduction to International Studies |
6 |
Autumn |
INTS120 |
Shaping the Twentieth Century |
6 |
Spring |
LING210 |
Communication across cultures |
8 |
Autumn |
INTS222 |
Advanced International Studies |
8 |
Autumn |
SOC 326 |
Globalisation and Social Transformation |
8 |
Spring |
INTS310 |
Human Security, Global Capitalism and the Environment |
8 |
Autumn |
INTS399 |
International Studies in Practice |
8 |
Autumn/Spring |
Peer-2-Peer Mentoring
Peer-2-Peer Mentoring (subject code ARTS100) is a compulsory zero credit point subject that must be undertaken by each student during their first year. This subject consists of a one hour tutorial per week in the student's first session of study. This subject is designed to enable incoming students to adapt rapidly to the tertiary environment and engage with the university community.
Course Program
The following is the full schedule for the degree.
Language minor
Students must complete the subjects for a minor in one of the languages listed below:
Degree Minor
Students must complete at least one of the degree minors below.
Asia Pacific Studies - students must complete minimum of 24 credit points but no more than 32 from the list below | |||
HIST201 |
An Ocean of History: An Introduction to the Pacific World |
8 |
Spring |
HIST202 |
Slavery in the Asia Pacific |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
HIST252 |
A History of Modern China |
8 |
Autumn |
HIST255 |
Australia and Asia: Connections and Comparisons |
8 |
Spring |
HIST352 |
The Overseas Chinese: Migration and Organisation |
8 |
Spring |
HIST353 |
Japanese History through Film |
8 |
Autumn |
POL 317 |
Politics in the South Pacific |
8 |
Autumn |
SOC 243 |
Comparative Sociology: Asian Perspectives |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
Global Development and the Environment - students must complete minimum of 24 credit points but no more than 32 from the list below | |||
EESC205 |
Population Studies |
6 |
Autumn |
EESC208 |
Environmental Impact of Societies |
6 |
Spring |
PHIL258 |
Ethics and the Environment |
8 |
Autumn |
POL 318 |
The Politics of Asian Development |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
POL 323 |
An Unequal World |
8 |
Spring |
STS 218 |
Environment in Crisis |
8 |
Spring |
STS 250 |
Social Aspects of Genetics and Biotechnology |
8 |
Autumn |
STS 300 |
The Environment Context: Imagining a Zero Carbon Future |
8 |
Autumn |
International Communication - students must complete minimum of 24 credit points but no more than 32 from the list below | |||
DIGC202 |
Global Networks |
8 |
Spring |
ELL 310 |
World Englishes |
8 |
Autumn |
ELL 314 |
Language and Ideology |
8 |
Spring |
LING210 |
Communication across cultures |
8 |
Autumn |
MACS390 |
Media, War and Peace |
8 |
Autumn |
POL 224 |
Politics and the Media |
8 |
Spring |
POL 368 |
Protest and Power in America: The Sixties |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
STS 288 |
Risk, Media and Communication |
8 |
Autumn |
Peace and Security Studies - students must complete minimum of 24 credit points but no more than 32 from the list below | |||
HIST322 |
Twentieth Century Dictatorships |
8 |
Spring |
POL 220 |
An Introduction to Peacekeeping |
8 |
Spring |
POL 314 |
Power and the Modern State |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
POL 368 |
Protest and Power in America: The Sixties |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
SOC 209 |
New Social Movements |
8 |
Autumn |
SOC 224 |
Violence, Fear and Civilisation: The Evolution of States |
8 |
Autumn |
SOC 355 |
Cultures in Dispossession |
8 |
N/O 2012 |
WAR 300 |
War and Society |
8 |
Autumn |
Internship and International Subjects
One of the Faculty's aims is to encourage students to study in an overseas university. Students can study abroad for a full session taking three to four subjects, or can study abroad for a shorter period of time by taking a study tour. The relevant subjects are listed below and more are being planned for introduction over the next three years.
ARTS201 |
Introduction to Australia for International Students |
N/O 2012 |
ARTS202 |
International Studies |
N/O 2012 |
ARTS301 |
Arts Internship |
Autumn/Spring |
HIST265 |
Gallipoli Study Tour |
Winter |
HIST270 |
Western Front Study Tour |
N/O 2012 |
POL 301 |
Politics Internship (for students taking the Australian National Internship Program or Washington Internship) |
Autumn/Spring |
Honours
See separate entry for the Bachelor of International Studies Honours
Transfer option into the BIS Dean's Scholars Degree (323)
In January of each year, the Faculty of Arts invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of International Studies Dean's Scholars Degree.
Selection Criteria
To be eligible to apply for a place in the Bachelor of International Studies Dean's Scholars Degree, applicants would normally meet the following criteria:
• Currently enrolled in the BIS 1817 or any other degree
• Full-time student
• Have successfully completed two full sessions of study or 8 subjects
• Have a WAM (weighted average mark) of at least 80.
Credit Arrangements
Please see General Course Rules for more information.
Assessment
Assessment in this course varies between subjects and typically includes a combination of essays, tutorial/seminar presentations, WebCT exercises and, in some subjects, in-class tests and/or exams. Some subjects may have an additional practical component. The assessment requirements of each subject are set out in the individual subject outlines, which students receive in the first week of session.