University of Tasmania, Australia

Welcome to the Politics and International Relations Program

Welcome to Politics and International Relations at the University of Tasmania. We are a diverse Program specializing in a variety of areas that range from international security and human rights to political economy, terrorism and counterterrorism, Australian politics, the international and local politics of the environment, Asian politics, Police Studies, and much else besides. Our staff are expert teachers and researchers, and we are consistently placed deep into the top ten Australian departments in International Relations, Political Science and Public Policy.

We are justifiably proud of our history as one of the oldest political science departments in Australia. Public Administration was first taught at the University of Tasmania in 1917, and Political Science has been offered since the 1950s.

Our Program is noted for the energy and dynamism of its lecturers, and we take great care to ensure our students receive excellent instruction. Many of our courses are available flexibly via Distance, as well as face-to-face at our main Hobart and Launceston campuses. Our graduates regularly find employment in government departments such as Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Defence, and Health at the Federal level, as well as in the state public service. Others go on to careers at the United Nations, work for non-governmental organisations, write speeches and give advice to parliamentarians, act as lobbyists, or work for large corporations.

At the undergraduate level we offer three majors: International Relations; Politics and Policy; and Police Studies. Each provides our students with a broad introduction at first year level, after which students can tailor their studies to suit their interests. In International Relations, we offer specialisations in security studies, counterterrorism, Asian politics, human rights, development, theory and political economy. Politics and Policy students can choose to study American politics, Public Policy, environmental politics, sustainable governance, the politics of activism, and others. Police Studies students can take a major in our specialised Bachelor of Social Science, or a major/minor to complement studies in health, psychology, or sociology, with units designed for future police officers, social workers, nurses, and policy advisers to better understand how police organisations work in partnership with other agencies.

Students with strong undergraduate records can undertake a research-intensive Honours courses in Political Science and International Relations, or more vocationally-oriented study at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters coursework levels.

Those seeking to extend their studies through postgraduate research qualifications will find us a vibrant hub of intellectual activity. Our graduate research candidates undertake Masters or PhD studies under the supervision of a caring and expert team.

For further information about the following areas, please contact the relevant staff member:

International Relations: Dr Matt Killingsworth

Politics and Policy: A/Prof Richard Eccleston (undergraduate) or Dr Megan Alessandrini (postgraduate coursework)

Police Studies: Dr Isabelle Bartkowiak-Theron

Honours: Dr Terry Narramore

Graduate Research: Prof Aynsley Kellow

Once again, welcome to our Program, and we hope you find your studies with us rewarding, lively and productive.

Dr Matthew Sussex
Coordinator, Politics and International Relations Program