Majors in BA (Int Rel) (1 Viewer)

[Triangulum]

I'm interested in doing the BA (Int Rel) at ANU, but also want to do Honours in History. That would require a fair number of history units (60, I think), but I'm not sure whether that's possible within the fairly strict requirements for BA (Int Rel). I'm planning to do Arabic for my language. As I see it, I can structure it for a triple major in Int Rel/Arabic/Political Science, but I'm not sure about Int Rel/Arabic/History. Will I have to just do the normal BA to get the greater flexibility? Any advice?

 

[neo o]

You should really contact the faculty. Personally I think that the Arts (IR) degree is fairly limited, and that could really screw you around in your first year (particularly if you don't like the language). Take it from someone who had the same problem with a very similar degree. Also, have you considered Asian Studies/Arts? If you have an interest in Asia, I'm pretty sure that you can study Arabic through an asian studies degree.

 

[MissSavage29]

I'm interested in doing the BA (Int Rel) at ANU, but also want to do Honours in History. That would require a fair number of history units (60, I think), but I'm not sure whether that's possible within the fairly strict requirements for BA (Int Rel). I'm planning to do Arabic for my language. As I see it, I can structure it for a triple major in Int Rel/Arabic/Political Science, but I'm not sure about Int Rel/Arabic/History. Will I have to just do the normal BA to get the greater flexibility? Any advice?

yeah i think you would run into some problems later on if you wanted to major in history within the BA (IR) - mainly because you have to do so many politics units for the BA(IR) that i think it would be difficult to get the required amount of history units as well.

Just to back up what Neo_o said - the BA(IR) is very specific and well if you are not 100% certain that you want to go into IR when you leave uni might be a bit of a limited choice. A BA might be better because you have more flexibilty with your choices and you can change your mind in later years.

In saying that my friend was doing the BA(IR) this year and decided that next year she would just do a regular bachelor of arts - so it is not impossible to change to a BA if you want to in your second year.

and yeah - with doing a tripple major - you would have to contact the fauculty and see what they said about doing that.

 

[loquasagacious]

I'm interested in doing the BA (Int Rel) at ANU, but also want to do Honours in History. That would require a fair number of history units (60, I think), but I'm not sure whether that's possible within the fairly strict requirements for BA (Int Rel). I'm planning to do Arabic for my language. As I see it, I can structure it for a triple major in Int Rel/Arabic/Political Science, but I'm not sure about Int Rel/Arabic/History. Will I have to just do the normal BA to get the greater flexibility? Any advice?

Ok here goes: Not possible.

As far as I know it would be insanely hard to get the number of history units in with all the others - I'll check up in my handbook for you later today.

As far as wanting to do BA(IR): IR/Arabic/Pols that is also impossible there is so much overlap between the IR and Pols majors that you are specofically forbidden from undertaking both.

To reiterate my fellows the BA(IR) is very restrictive and so I generally believe it is a bad idea to do it straight up a much more feasible option being a BA with all the BA(IR) majors you want and then if you feel the need you can transfer to the named degree after your first year. If you decide against it you have lots of flexibility. Afterall I have a mate who like Neo is dropping asian studies because of the language component (Japanese in his case).

Personally I see no real advantage in graduating with a named specialisation that is identical to an unamed one (certainly not an extra 5 UAI points of justification). I think employers would agree with me.

On a more positive note a friend of mine is doing Arabic and loving it.

 

[Triangulum]

Thanks everyone. I agree that BA (Int Rel) is a bit overly strict on what you can do. Asian Studies/Arts actually sounds pretty good - it's probably the extra year, which gives you a lot more flexibility within the Arts degree.

 

[_Benji_]

Hmm now i'm slightly scared about being stuck into a particular path.

Only in the last few days I've changed my first pref from IR to BA/Law, but with the intent to major in IR.....seeing as its not an IR/law degree that doesnt lock me into the strict IR path as a the BA (IR) degree would does it?
Which would be good....seeing as I change my mind about what i want to do (within a general area) every 3 secs.

 

[loquasagacious]

Benji you are correct you will not be locked into the strict BA(IR) path when you do Arts/Law in fact as a side note is actually impossible to combine BA(IR) with any other degree.