Study Political & International Studies

Political & International Studies (PAIS) explores issues of international significance such as global warming and terrorism. We consider national concerns, local interests and Australia's place within the international environment.

Our students work closely with PAIS academics in ways now rare in other Australian universities. Our staff have backgrounds in the areas of security studies, international relations, global political economy, political theory, the comparative politics and societies of East and Southeast Asia, Pacific politics, Australian politics and globalisation.

Even if you don't plan to major in PAIS, you may still be able to fit some PAIS units into your degree.

Undergraduate and postgraduate study

Majors in Political & International Studies: We offer an undergraduate major in Political & International Studies in the Bachelor of Arts, as well as an Honours program and degrees at Masters and PhD level. Study on campus in Armidale or fully online in your own home, or abroad.

From the courses below, link to the Course and Unit Catalogue, go to Course Rules and Plans, then scroll down to Program of Study.

Units

PAIS101 Introduction to Politics

PAIS104 Introduction to Indigenous Australia

PAIS105 Global Indigenous Experiences

PAIS113 International Relations of the Asia Pacific

PAIS302 / PAIS502 Political Thinking

PAIS313 / PAIS513 China and the World

PAIS314 / PAIS514 21st Century International Relations

PAI318 / PAIS518 Australia's Relations with the Asia Pacific

PAIS322 / PAIS522 Indigenous Politics and Public Policy

PAIS323 / PAIS523 Indigenous Business and Community Development

PAI324 / PAIS524 Indigenous Peoples and Colonisation: Land and Nature

PAIS370 / PAIS570 Contemporary Political Issues

PAIS380 / PAIS580 Dragon in Chains? Contemporary Chinese Politics

PAIS390 / PAIS590 Politics in the Developing world

PAIS400H Honours in Political and International Studies

There are a number of units which complement Political and International Studies. see the Course Rules & Plans tab of your enrolled course to see the recommended Program of Study for the Political and International Studies Major.

Studies in Settler Colonialism is a subdiscipline of Political and International Studies and can be studied as a major in its own right.

Majors

Undertake Political & International studies as a Major in one of our Arts Degrees.

Our staff

To contact an academic or find a research supervisor, visit our staff page.

Find a staff member

Career options for Political & International Studies graduates

Our graduates have skills in dynamic and flexible thinking, with knowledge to contribute across a large range of careers including:

  • diplomacy
  • policing
  • business and trade
  • journalism
  • marketing
  • management
  • defence
  • strategic analysis
  • policy development
  • immigration
  • tourism
  • aid agencies
  • non-governmental organisations
  • international agencies
  • community and social work
  • teaching

Further information

For more information about our courses and studying at UNE, please contact AskUNE.