International Relations and Security Studies Subject regulations
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, 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.
International Relations and Security Studies is available as a minor.
To complete a minor in International Relations and Security Studies, students must complete at least 60 points in papers listed for the minor, including at least 30 above 100 level. Students must complete both IRSST103 and IRSST206.
There will be no new enrolments in the International Relations and Security Studies minor in 2024 and onwards. Please see the International Relations minor which replaces the International Relations and Security Studies minor.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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PGCert(IRSSt), PGDip(IRSSt) and MA To complete the Postgraduate Certificate in International Relations and Security Studies, students must complete at least 60 points, including one of IRSST502, IRSST506 or POLSC537.
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 IRSST502, IRSST506 or POLSC537.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA in International Relations and Security Studies, a student must have completed either:
a) a BA or BSocSc with a major in Political Science (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average in the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
b) a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Political Science (or equivalent) with at least second class honours
(second division), or a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Security Studies (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average, and
c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
Completion requirements for the MA in International Relations and Security Studies vary according to admission criteria:
All students must take at least two of IRSST502, IRSST506 or POLSC537 (unless these have already been taken as part of an earlier qualification).
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including ALPSS500 and at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA.
Students admitted under b) above must complete 120 points from approved 500-level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA.
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PhD The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
International Relations and Security Studies papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
IRSST103
Introduction to International Relations
This paper provides an introduction to the study of international relations in an era of globalisation. It covers the historical background, key... |
15 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
|
POLSC103
Introduction to Political Psychology
Politics affects every aspect of our lives. This paper is an introduction to understanding political behaviour, helping you become more critically... |
15 | 24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
IRSST206
International Relations: The Security Agenda
This paper introduces students to International Relations' dynamic and evolving security agenda and covers some of the most urgent contemporary... |
15 | 24A (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC224
Terrorism, Violence and the State
Terrorism is an increasingly prominent global phenomenon. We will clarify it conceptually and situate it historically with theory and case studies in... |
15 | No occurrences |
|
POLSC229
US Politics
Students in this course explore the foundational elements of the United States, its governing institutions, the extent of public influence within the... |
15 | 24B (Online) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
IRSST301
International Relations: The Context, Theory and Practice of New Zealand Foreign Policy
This course delivers a comprehensive historical overview of New Zealand foreign policy from the beginning of the 20th century, and considers the role... |
15 | 24B (Hamilton) |
|
IRSST315
International Politics of Asia
It provides an introduction to, and analysis of, critical issues in Asia. Issues may include some, or all, of the Kashmir dispute; the situation on... |
15 | 24B (Hamilton) |
|
IRSST331
Cyber Security and the Global Politics of the Internet
This course explores the global politics of cyber security and the internet. It covers the major political/strategic/theoretical debates around... |
15 | 24B (Online) |
|
POLCY318
Global Environmental Politics and Policy
This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political... |
15 | 24A (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC301
Visual Communication: Politics, Propaganda, Protest
This paper introduces students to the power of visual communication. The theoretical knowledge gained is applicable to politics and beyond. |
15 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ALPSS590
Directed Study
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their... |
30 | 24X (Hamilton) |
|
ALPSS591
Research Project
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum). |
30 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
|
ALPSS592
Dissertation
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum). |
60 | 24I (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
|
IRSST502
Security Issues in South East Asia
After a brief conceptual and historical introduction to security in the region, the paper goes on to consider a range of contemporary security... |
30 | 24A (Hamilton) |
|
IRSST506
International Relations and Global Security
This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and... |
30 | 24B (Hamilton) |
|
IRSST507
Cyber Security and Cyber Warfare
This course examines the political, strategic, legal and economic debates around cyber security and cyber warfare. Particular emphasis is placed on... |
15 | No occurrences |
|
LEGAL576
The Laws of Armed Conflict & International Humanitarian Law
This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in the Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian... |
30 | 24G (Hamilton) & 24G (Tauranga) |
|
POLSC537
Environmental Politics and Public Policy
This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on... |
30 | 24A (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC592
Dissertation
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. |
60 | 24X (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC593
Political Science Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
90 | 24X (Hamilton) |
-
IRSST103 Introduction to International Relations
This paper provides an introduction to the study of international relations in an era of globalisation. It covers the historical background, key...
Points 15Politics affects every aspect of our lives. This paper is an introduction to understanding political behaviour, helping you become more critically...
Points 15 -
IRSST206 International Relations: The Security Agenda
This paper introduces students to International Relations' dynamic and evolving security agenda and covers some of the most urgent contemporary...
Points 15Terrorism is an increasingly prominent global phenomenon. We will clarify it conceptually and situate it historically with theory and case studies in...
Points 15Students in this course explore the foundational elements of the United States, its governing institutions, the extent of public influence within the...
Points 15 -
IRSST301 International Relations: The Context, Theory and Practice of New Zealand Foreign Policy
This course delivers a comprehensive historical overview of New Zealand foreign policy from the beginning of the 20th century, and considers the role...
Points 15It provides an introduction to, and analysis of, critical issues in Asia. Issues may include some, or all, of the Kashmir dispute; the situation on...
Points 15This course explores the global politics of cyber security and the internet. It covers the major political/strategic/theoretical debates around...
Points 15This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political...
Points 15This paper introduces students to the power of visual communication. The theoretical knowledge gained is applicable to politics and beyond.
Points 15 -
ALPSS590 Directed Study
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
Points 60After a brief conceptual and historical introduction to security in the region, the paper goes on to consider a range of contemporary security...
Points 30This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and...
Points 30This course examines the political, strategic, legal and economic debates around cyber security and cyber warfare. Particular emphasis is placed on...
Points 15This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in the Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian...
Points 30This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on...
Points 30A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
Points 60An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 90
2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 4 Dec 2024 01:00am