Bachelor of International and Language Studies

The Bachelor of International and Language Studies is a four year degree.

Students cannot enrol directly into this degree but may only transfer into it after completing 96 credit points in the Bachelor of International Studies (equivalent to two years full-time) then complete a further 96 credit points in the Bachelor of International and Language Studies.

The fourth and final year of this degree is comprised of In-Country language study.

Course Aims

To prepare students for further studies and/or employment in fields relating to international policy and advocacy, which can include professions within government, inter-governmental and non-government organisations and the business sector.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key themes in international studies in one or more of the following areas: diplomacy; economics; peace; development; security and the environment; and, exhibit knowledge, undertake analysis and engage in critical thinking within a specialised area of international studies; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key themes in international studies in one or more of the following areas: diverse societies, politics, religions and cross-cultural communication; communicate effectively and, in the case of those students undertaking a language major, read, write and speak another language with competency and appreciate its cultural context; apply an independent scholarly approach to research, writing and referencing in relation to concepts, actors, processes and impacts of globalisation; apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within complex changing social contexts; assess and appreciate international debates in specialised areas of study; and successfully adapt and apply knowledge and skills in overseas contexts.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will obtain an in-depth knowledge of one or more cognate disciplines in their chosen non-language major. This will include an appreciation of the processes through which knowledge has evolved in these disciplines. They will also understand the need to adopt transnational and multicultural approaches to the understanding of various issues. This knowledge will be taught via lectures or podcasts, interactive discussion in class or online, set reading and assessment. They will have acquired advanced proficiency in their chosen language as a result of having undertaken a year of in-country language training overseas. Communication Skills Graduates will have developed good communication skills in their written work. They will have adopted a scholarly approach to research, presentation, writing and referencing. Assessment tasks foster these skills. On-campus students hone verbal skills in class. Graduates of in-country language training will have developed advanced written and verbal communication skills in their chosen language. Problem Solving Many disciplines in this degree challenge students to apply their critical reasoning capacity to address real problems and dilemmas facing individuals, states, inter-governmental organisations and non-government actors. Having done so, graduates will have developed skills to compare, analyse and evaluate conflicting 'facts', arguments and perspectives with a view to finding solutions to problems. Information Literacy Graduates of international studies will have acquired skills in research and analysis, which in turn depend on the collection and evaluation of information from a range of sources. As many units are topical an ability to use up-to-date e-resources will have mastered by graduates. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility International studies have an inherent ethical dimension as they concern the politics of who decides who gets what on a global level. That is addressed in assessment tasks and in class or on-line discussion. After completing this course graduates will be equipped to apply a spirit of enquiry, critique, ethics and analysis to daily life and current affairs. Lifelong Learning Graduates will have honed life-long learning skills in research, analysis, interpretation and exposition. Graduates will be able to critique values, policies and processes. This includes an ability to mount arguments by developing ideas, seeking evidence, assessing alternatives and drawing independent conclusions. Graduates will have learned to engage in a flexible and open-minded pursuit of knowledge. Living in another country for a year will have further expanded their horizons as regards alternative approaches to learning, work and lifestyle. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will develop skills in the independent study of international issues, in particular through autonomously researching and executing their assessment tasks. Teamwork is practised in interactive seminars and/or online discussion whereby students pose questions, communicate ideas and solve problems in cooperation with their peers and staff. Graduates will thus have learned to interact and collaborate with others in a variety of contexts, including in their chosen foreign country.