Political and International Studies
Contents
Introduction
On these web pages you will find information about studying Political and International Studies (PAIS) at UNE, the units we teach, the undergraduate and postgraduate courses which include Political and International Studies, our staff and research interests, and the career opportunities PAIS provides. Use the links on the right 'contents' to navigate your way through our web pages.
Global, National and Regional Perspectives
Political and International Studies is a vibrant area of teaching and research at UNE. Our aim is to ensure that students are introduced to knowledge at the cutting edge of a rapidly changing world. As international trends and developments are impacting on Australia it is becoming more important to develop a sound understanding of how political, economic, and social processes interconnect at local, regional and global levels. Through an interesting and topical spread of units, PAIS will assist students to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that will enable them to critically analyse and make sense of Australia’s changing place within a turbulent international environment.
The major focus of Political and International Studies is power and people. It doesn't matter whether we are thinking about debates of international significance (global warming or terrorism), about matters of national concern (the provision of education or health care, or the kind of industrial relations system we should have), or local interests (building a pulp paper mill next door, responding to crime in the neighbourhood), studying PAIS can help you explore all these issues. All of them can be thought about in terms of who gets what, why they get it, and how they get it. We are interested in finding out how things work, why they work that way, and who wins and loses as a result. This is usually interesting, sometimes controversial, often dramatic, and inevitably has significant consequences, direct or indirect, for each and every one of us.
PAIS students are taught by staff who possess strong and diverse teaching and research backgrounds in the areas of International Relations, Global Political Economy, Political Theory, the Comparative Politics and Societies of East and Southeast Asia, Pacific Politics, Australian Politics and Globalisation.
Why Study Politics and International Studies at UNE?
Studying PAIS ensures a good education which will enrich you individually and enhance your capacity to make important contributions to Australia and the world. Students find study in PAIS diverse, exciting and rewarding. We provide students with the opportunity to acquire a broader and deeper understanding of the world in which we live at local, national, regional and global levels. Our enthusiastic, committed and expert academic staff employ innovative and student-centred learning approaches, whether on-campus, by distance education or online.
Students get to know and work closely with academics in ways now rare in other Australian universities. Our students are not part of an anonymous mass, but individuals whose education is our primary concern. Our outstanding results in the annual national survey of university graduates over many years show how much our students have appreciated studying with us.
Political and International Studies contributes to students' future lives by developing general skills and abilities in its areas of study. We provide students with:
• research skills: learn how to discover, explore and verify relevant data.
• analytical skills: understand and assess information and formulate interpretations.
• exposition skills: present your ideas and your findings verbally and in writing.
These are skills necessary for higher-level careers requiring creativity, clear thinking and effective communication. It is easy to see why our graduates are valued by a wide range of employers.
Staff
| Staff Member | Phone | Room (Bldg E11) | |
| Dr Tim Battin | tbattin@une.edu.au | +61 2 6773 3155 | Room 165 |
| Dr Andrew Brown | abrown2@une.edu.au | +61 2 6773 2557 | Room 166 |
| Dr Paul Healy | phealy@une.edu.au | +61 2 6773 3514 | Room 168 |
| Dr Tony Lynch | alynch@une.edu.au | +61 2 6773 3244 | Room 126 |
| Dr Ken Fraser | kfraser3@une.edu.au | +61 2 6773 3810 | Room 163 |
| Dr Karin von Strokirch | kvonstro@une.edu.au | +61 2 6773 3132 | Room 174 |
Courses
PAIS units are available in a wide variety of undergraduate degrees at UNE in Arts, International Studies, Commerce, Economics, Criminology, Urban and Regional Planning, Languages and so on. Most undergraduate students taking PAIS do so in the Bachelor of Arts, combined Bachelor of Arts degrees, and the Bachelor of International Studies.
400-level PAIS units may be included in a number of postgraduate coursework awards in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Students wishing to extend their undergraduate degree in PAIS, or wishing to undertake postgraduate research in PAIS in the future, would normally complete an Honours program.
Students wishing to undertake advanced research in Political and International Studies may do so in postgraduate research degrees.
Undergraduate Degrees
Advanced Diploma in Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
Bachelor of Criminology
Bachelor of Economics
Bachelor of International Studies
Bachelor of International Studies (Advanced)
Bachelor of Languages
Bachelor of Languages and International Business
Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
Postgraduate Coursework
Graduate Certificate in Arts
Graduate Diploma in Humanities
Master of Arts
Master of Environmental Advocacy
Honours Program
Honours programs available through Political and International Studies include the Bachelor of Arts with Honours and the Bachelor of International Studies with Honours.
Honours in Political and International Studies is designed to serve as an advanced level of study for students wishing to extend their degree or establish a pathway to postgraduate studies. The program, of one year's full-time or two year's part-time study, consists of 50 per cent course work and 50 per cent thesis. A wide choice of thesis topics is available across the many areas of politics and international relations, such as:
- Australian politics
- Australian foreign policy
- Political theory and political philosophy
- International relations theory
- Political economy
- Comparative politics
- Asian politics and society
- International relations policy
For specific information on the PAIS Honours program contact the Honours Convenor Dr Tim Battin (tbattin@une.edu.au) on +61 2 6773 3155.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Bachelor of International Studies with Honours
Postgraduate Research
The Master of Arts with Honours and Doctor of Philosophy are postgraduate research degrees in which students work under the supervision of one or more academic staff on a specific research topic. The academics chosen as supervisors will be members of PAIS staff with the highest levels of competence and expertise in the field in which you intend to undertake research. Postgraduate research is stimulating, but challenging. PAIS staff aim is to make progress through these degrees as rewarding and successful as possible.
For further information on postgraduate research in PAIS contact the Postgraduate Convenor Dr Andrew Brown (abrown2@une.edu.au) on +61 2 6773 2557.
Master of Arts with Honours
Doctor of Philosophy
Units
PAIS units are available at undergraduate and postgraduate coursework levels, and at Honours level. Information on postgraduate research in Political and International Studies can be found on the Courses web page.
Undergraduate Units
At undergraduate level, students may complete a major in Political Studies or International Studies. Undergraduate units available in the PAIS majors are:
Political Studies
PAIS101 Beyond Lies and Spin: Why Politics Matters
PAIS102 Political Ideologies
PAIS306 Avoid Economic Deception: Study Political Economy
PAIS308 Modern Political Thinkers
PAIS320 Classical Political Thinkers
PAIS351 Federations: challenges, Debates and Trends
PAIS352 International Human Rights
PAIS361 Sex, Crime and Corruption in Asia
PAIS365 Politics and the Environment: Intersecting Crises
PAIS370 Contemporary Issues in Australian Politics
PAIS375 Media and Politics
PAIS380 Dragon in Chains? Contemporary Chinese Politics
PAIS381 Australian Civics and Democracy
PAIS390 Politics in the Developing world
International Studies
PAIS103 International Relations: An Australian Perspective
PAIS113 Power, Conflict, and the Making of Modern Asia
HIST329 Australia and the World: An International History
ISLM344 Islam and the West: the Clash of Civilisations?
PAIS314 21st Century International Relations
PAIS315 Contemporary Challenges to Global Security
PAIS316 Paradise Lost? Governance in the Pacific
PAIS318 Australia’s Relations with Asia
PAIS352 International Human Rights
PAIS361 Sex, Crime, and Corruption in Asia
PAIS363 Family, Women and the State in Asia
PAIS380 Dragon in Chains? Contemporary Chinese Politics
PAIS390 Politics in the Developing World
Postgraduate Coursework Units
The following PAIS units are available in postgraduate coursework awards.
PAIS506 Avoid Economic Deception: Study Political Economy
PAIS508 Modern Political Thinkers
PAIS514 21st Century International Relations
PAIS515 Contemporary Challenges to Global Security
PAIS516 Paradise Lost? Governance in the Pacific
PAIS518 Australia’s Relations with Asia
PAIS551 Federations: Challenges, Debates and Trends
PAIS552 International Human Rights
PAIS561 Sex, Crime, and Corruption in Asia
PAIS563 Family, Women and the State in Asia
PAIS565 Politics and the Environment: Intersecting Crises
PAIS570 Contemporary Issues in Australian Society
PAIS575 Media and Politics
PAIS580 Dragon in Chains? Contemporary Chinese Politics
PAIS590 Politics in the Developing World
Honours Units
Honours in Political and International Studies consists of 50 per cent course work and 50 per cent thesis.
PAIS401H Political & International Studies Hons Coursework
The coursework component, PAIS 401H, is based on a series of essays. These enable the student to explore and master key theoretical perspectives, employ specific concepts and develop an understanding of important empirical trends pertaining to political and international studies.
PAIS402H Political & International Studies Hons Dissertation
This unit is based on a dissertation. Students research and write a thesis on a political and international studies topic relating to their own interests. The topic is developed in consultation with their supervisor. A wide choice of thesis topics is available across the many areas of politics and international relations.
INTS401HInternational Studies Hons Coursework
The coursework component, INTS401H, is based on a series of essays. These enable the student to explore and master key theoretical perspectives, employ specific concepts and develop an understanding of important empirical trends pertaining to international studies.
INTS402HInternational Studies Hons Dissertation
This unit is based on a dissertation. Students research and write a thesis on an international studies topic relating to their own interests. The topic is developed in consultation with their supervisor. A wide choice of thesis topics is available across the many areas of international relations.
For specific information on the PAIS Honours units contact the convenor Dr Paul Healy (phealy@une.edu.au) on +61 2 6773 3514.
Further information on the Honours program in Political and International Studies can be found in the "courses" section above.
Careers
In an increasingly competitive global employment market PAIS equips students with the skills to locate and use information, to critically analyse data, to develop cogent arguments and to express their ideas and opinions in a logical and persuasive manner. Acquiring these skills provides PAIS students with an enhanced capacity to successfully launch or further their chosen career paths. Recent PAIS graduates are currently employed in a diverse range of occupations across private, public and government sectors.
Political and International Studies career opportunities include:
Government and Public Affairs
ministerial support; legislative analysis; campaign and lobbying; policy development.
Administration
public service, including foreign affairs, overseas aid, defence, multicultural affairs, indigenous affairs and customs; local government and community development; security and defence management; public enterprise.
Research and Development
policy and management analysis; policy research; consultancy; training and development systems; project management; archives and records management.
Media and Communications
media research; print and electronic reporting; investigative journalism; information processing and management.
Education
teaching and research; educational administration; extension and training; civic education.
Law and Justice
constitutional, criminal and civil law; court management; public integrity system; legal analysis.
Business and Industry
executive leadership; people management; public relations; trade; business information systems; international business; marketing.
International Development
aid administration; development assistance; international charities; international organisations.
Parliamentary Internship Program (PIP)
Applications close: 5pm 1 October and 1 April each year.
If you are interested in being part of the PIP program, please contact the Career Development staff on 02 6773 2897 or email careers.service@une.edu.au.
Application forms can be downloaded from http://blog.une.edu.au/unepip/application-forms/
Metropolitan Parliamentary Internship - http://blog.une.edu.au/unempi/
Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links
Resources
Earlham Libraries International Studies Resources
Poly-Cy: Internet Resources for Political Science
Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources
University of Michigan Document Center
Vanderbilt University Library Political Science Resources
WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources
Professional Bodies and Research Centres
Aidwatch
Australasian Political Science Association (APSA)
Australian Council for International Development
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Australian Policy Online
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
American Political Science Association
American Society for Public Administration
Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA)
Canadian Institute of International Affairs
Canadian Political Science Association
Centre of Independent Studies
Chinese Association of Political Science
Climate Institute of Australia
Freedom House
International Development Research Centre
International Institute for Strategic Studies
International Political Science Association
International Studies Association
Lowy Institute for International Policy (papers & speeches)
Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom
New Zealand Political Studies Association
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
The Foreign Policy Centre
US Institute of Peace
Government Websites
AusAID (Australian government aid agency)
Australia
Canada
Fiji
Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
France
Germany
Governments on the WWW
Great Britain
India
Indonesia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Parliament of Australia
People's Republic of China
Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
South Korea
Thailand
The Netherlands
United States of America
International Organisations
Amnesty International
Asian Development Bank
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Development Leadership Program
Greenpeace Australia (reports)
The World Bank
Transparency International
United Nations
World Economic Forum
Journals & Periodicals
American Political Science Review
Arena
Australian Journal of Political Science
British Journal of Political Science
Comparative Politics
International Affairs
International Political Science Review
International Organization
International Security
International Studies Quarterly
Journal of Conflict Resolution
Journal of Peace Research
Journal of Politics
Political Research Quarterly
Political Science Quarterly
Political Theory
The Diplomat
World Politics
Research
PAIS has an active research culture, demonstrated in high levels of publications and considerable success in winning competitive research grants. Members of the discipline are experienced researchers with good records of scholarly publication. Research excellence and productivity cover a wide range of areas including political theory, the contemporary Asia-Pacific, environmental politics, political economy and international relations.
The specific areas of research interest and expertise of PAIS staff are:
| Dr Tim Battin | economic thought, economic policy, and Australian politics, particularly as these relate to issues of unemployment and achieving full employment |
| Dr Andrew Brown | neo-liberal globalisation and social and political change in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand; class formation and labour politics, democratisation. |
| Dr Paul Healy | Chinese politics and society, Chinese Marxism and Mao Zedong's thought, class |
| Dr Tony Lynch | environmentalism, liberal and environmental politics |
| Dr Karin von Strokirch | international relations, particularly Pacific Islands politics, nuclear testing, and arms control |
Further information on the research of individual staff is available on the staff web pages.
Information on postgraduate research is provided in the section on "courses" below.
Contacts
For further information about Political and International Studies (PAIS) at UNE please contact the Discipline Convenor Dr Paul Healy on (02) 6773-3514 or phealy@une.edu.au
![]() |
![]() |
|||
| AskUNE Search for information or ask a question 24/7. AskUNE Chat Speak to one of our advisors live via web chat. KateUNE is your link to UNE on Facebook, available to chat and answer your questions. Future Student Site Browse for information on our Future Students web pages. International Students Find course information, make an application or submit an enquiry. |
AskUNE Find answers to your questions 24/7. Contact Us Contact staff directly via AskUNE. Current Student Site Browse for information about your studies on our Current Students web pages. |


