Honours in Government and International Relations

The Government and International Relations Honours program contains three preparation units that need to be completed before students are eligible to start an honours year in Government. The Honours Preparation units in second (GOVT2991) and third year (GOVT3993 and GOVT3994) prepare students to meet the challenges of advanced study. This experience equips students not only to evaluate the research of others but to plan and execute their own research through an understanding of the major theoretical and methodological underpinnings of political science.

Who should I see about Honours questions?

The Government and International Relations Honours Coordinator is Dr Ariadne Vromen.

How do I get into the Government and International Relations Honours program?

Start with the Honours Preparation units. Students who achieve a Credit in two first year (junior) Government units will be invited to enter the Government and International Relations Honours program in their second year. This normally involves taking the Honours Preparation unit GOVT2991 in first semester of the second year and completing two other Government units at the same time. It is possible to join Government Honours Preparation in the third year of study with the permission of the Government and International Relations Honours Coordinator. Those who enter in third year complete all the Honours Preparation units in that year. There are no short cuts. Consult the Arts Handbook for more information.

What do I need to do to stay in the Honours program?

A credit minimum in all Government units, including the Honours Preparation units: Political Analysis [GOVT2991]; Power [GOVT3993]; and Research Development [GOVT3994]. Please note that GOVT2991, GOVT3993 and GOVT3994 can be credited toward the Government major.

What do the three prerequisite Government and International Relations Honours units cover?

Second year Honours

Political Analysis [GOVT2991] (Semester 1) - This unit helps Honours students develop the skills they will need to excel in political inquiry. An overview of political inquiry will be presented through an examination of the diverse theoretical and methodological approaches used by political researchers. This includes looking at, for example, institutional, behavioural, discourse and feminist approaches to political inquiry, and the use of quantitative and qualitative methods. The assessment will be based around constructing research projects that can answer current political questions.

Third year Honours A

Power [GOVT3993] (Semester 1) - Power is the essential concept of political science, which is the systematic study of politics. Bertrand Russell, perhaps the greatest mind of the 20th Century, said power is the central concept of all the social sciences. Students will explore this concept in different parts of political science. Students will survey some debates on power and assess the advantages and disadvantages of concepts of power. There are three themes in this unit. The first is the distribution of power in society. The second is power in comparative politics. The third is power in international relations. The emphasis will be on the nature, sources and use of power.

Third year Honours B

Research Development [GOVT3994] (Semester 2) - The purpose of this unit of study is to develop students approach to research to meet the demands of an independent project like the thesis in an Honours year. It will cover selecting and refining a focus and a topic, identifying research to be undertaken and planning how to do it, bibliographic searches, and writing a report or thesis. The unit devotes a considerable amount of time to exercises designed to help students to think about how they can do their own research and plan fruitful lines of inquiry.

I'm in third year but didn't do second year Honours, can I still enter the Government and International Relations Honours program?

Yes. All three Honours Preparation units can be done simultaneously in third year. That may sound like a lot, but every year about a quarter of students in third year Honours Preparation are also doing second year. To qualify students must be completing a Government major, and have minimum credit grades in two junior Government units and at least two senior Government units. For approval seek a permission letter from the Government Honours Coordinator.

I have a Pass in one or more of my Government units, but am really keen. Can I still do Honours?

Possibly. Admission to and retention in the Government Honours Program is at the discretion of the Department. If in doubt discuss the situation with the Government Honours Coordinator. We want students who show they have the commitment and ability to do Government Honours. But we also want to make sure students are ready for the challenges it offers.

I want to go on exchange or study abroad. Can my units at an overseas university be credited towards Honours?

Normally. Study at another university is usually considered the sort of enriching experience that we want our Honours students to have. Consult the Honours Coordinator before you embark on international study and make sure you keep up the equivalent of Credits or better in your units. Many students on exchange make use of that experience later in developing a thesis topic.

I want to take the internship program in second semester of my third year. That means I'll miss out on GOVT3994 Research Development. Will I be at a disadvantage?

No. We obviously design GOVT3994 to prepare students to do research comparable to that required in Honours; however, we recognise the value of an internship, as we recognize the value of going on student exchange. Interns should contact the Honours Coordinator and arrange to write a 4-5 page research prospectus that resembles the major piece of work undertaken by students in GOVT3994. It is also advisable to discuss the proposal with a potential supervisor.

Eligiblity for Final Honours Year Without Having Taken the Prerequisite Units of Study at University of Sydney

Students interested in completing Honours in Government and International Relations, will need to demonstrate they have completed similar units of study and attained grades at their own university that are equivalent to the Government prerequisites. To determine equivalence, contact the Honours Coordinator in Government and International Relations.