GOVT3004 Capstone: Global Challenges and Political Change

This topic is a capstone for the Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science. The topic acts to integrate the knowledge and skills students have acquired across the three sub-disciplines of international relations, politics and public policy during their studies, and apply them to contemporary debates and pressing issues in these fields. The topic also prepares students for their future, focusing on the professional and academic skills students will require as they look beyond their undergraduate degree.

This topic aims to:

• Integrate and synthesise student's prior learning across the sub-disciplines of international relations, politics and public policy
• Encourage student engagement through activities designed to foster collaboration
• Enable students to develop further and refine their skills in research and writing
• Provide a structured opportunity to develop and apply skills in public presentation
• Give students the opportunity to practice a suite of professional skills that will be of immediate, practical value in a professional environment. These include oral and visual presentation skills, as well as the traditional complement of academic skills, such as research, analysis and written presentation

1. Articulate a broad and integrated understanding of the political science sub-disciplines of international relations, politics and public policy
2. Understand, interpret and analyse political processes and public policy in international and domestic contexts
3. Analyse the origins and ramifications of some of the most pressing contemporary issues
4. Propose alternatives to existing political processes and policies based on competing ideas
5. Apply well-developed generic skills in academic research, analysis, oral and visual presentation, and professional writing
6. Present yourself as a well-prepared graduate professional