Facts & figures
Politics and International Studies
- #2 in Australia
- #24 in the world
- 2020 QS World University Rankings
Faculties and schools_
Department of Government and International Relations
Shape the conversation, change the world
Examining politics and international relations using critical and multidisciplinary perspectives.
In a time of revolutions, economic turmoil and terrorism, everyone has a stake in how disputes are resolved and co-operation is improved. We understand and explain politics and international relations as well as the forces that shape and drive political, economic and social change.
Our internationally recognised academics engage with the big issues the world faces today, dealing with everything from Trump to the implications of Brexit, terrorism, the war in Syria, climate change, nuclear proliferation, the global refugee crisis and the global financial crisis.
Our study offering
Understand traditional and emerging security challenges and apply theories to current events and policy debates. Explore complex, interconnected issues such as causes and consequences of war; ethnic, religious and ideological conflict; and threats from climate change, disease and nuclear proliferation. We will draw on economics, political science, law, business, public health and more.
Postgraduate
- Master of International Security
- Graduate Certificate in International Security
- Graduate Diploma in International Security
Research
Politics is the study of the nature of governments and the distribution of power at the domestic level. With our wide range of degrees, gain the knowledge, theoretical understanding and practical skills to engage with politics and understand the key elements of political systems, including government institutions, political parties, and social movements. You will also compare key elements of political systems including government institutions, political parties, interest groups, elections, patterns of political participation, and social movements.
International Relations is the study of the international political and economic system. Explore the historical development of that system, understand the actors, institutions, and processes of international politics and develop a critical insight into the forces governing the behaviour of states, the factors that lead to military conflict or peaceful co-operation, and the current trends towards a world that is both more globally integrated and fragmented.
Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations)
- Politics major*
- Politics minor*
- International relations major*
- International relations minor*
- Government and International Relations (Honours)
*Available to all students studying the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees.
Postgraduate
- Master of International Relations
- Graduate Certificate in International Relations
- Graduate Diploma in International Relations
Research
Gain critical perspectives on the global, national and local levels of a rapidly changing policy environment with growing public scrutiny and complex challenges. Explore the opportunities and constraints stemming from political, social, economic, civil and technological factors at both the national and global levels.
Postgraduate
Our research
Our department offers teaching and internationally recognised research in all major fields of the discipline, including:
- International relations: The role and functions of international organisations, such as the World Bank and United Nations, as well as the challenges of globalisation, international security, conflict and terrorism.
- Public policy: In the Australian and global contexts, including environmental, economic and foreign policy, as well as public-sector management and policy analysis.
- Political theory: Classical and applied ideas of democracy, environmentalism and human rights.
- Comparative politics: Substantial research into authoritarianism, democratisation and complex processes of regime change, especially in the post-communist world and Southeast Asia. Publications have also compared the politics and institutions of Anglo-American states and Westminster democracies, such as the role of the core executive and processes of civic engagement.
- Australian politics: Research into the media, elections and political parties.
Our centres
Our department contributes to these centres:
Our people
- Professor Graeme Gill
- Professor David Goodman
- Professor Geoffrey Gallop
- Professor Michael Jackson
- Professor Frederick Teiwes
- Professor Rod Tiffen
- Professor Linda Weiss
- Associate Professor Simon Atkinson
- Professor Lee Burns
- Professor Peter Curson
- Dr David Clune OAM
- Mr Peter Duncan
- Dr Eliza Garnsey
- Dr Damian Grace
- Associate Professor Benjamin Goldsmith
- Professor Peter Hayes
- Dr Robert Howard
- Dr Diarmuid Maguire
- Mr Benjamin Raue
- Dr Hui Xue
- Mr Gabriele Abbondanza
- Mr Edward Chan
- Dr Keshab Giri
In 2008 the Department created an External Advisory Committee to help it relate to its community partners and to respond to the challenges of the future.
Currently there are twelve members sitting on the committee. Their professional experiences include journalism, management, parliamentary education, public service, college dean, psychologist, school education executive, chief of staff to a federal minister, and law.
View committee members' profile, previous members, terms of reference and the triennial reports: 2008-2011, 2011-2014, 2014-2017.
Members of the committee:
- Ms Annie Corlett, AM
- Ms Jeannie Douglass
- Ms Rosie Giddings
- Mr Ross Gittins, AM
- Mr John Gore
- Dr Kate Harrison
- Ms Ann Hoban
- Mr Michael Neylan
- Ms Denise North
- Ms Alice Oppen, OAM
- Ms Emily Scanlan
- Ms Soo Jin Yoon
Events
UPDATE: In light of COVID-19 developments, please be advised this University event will no longer take place in the short term. Some of our events are transitioning to online, and these will be advertised accordingly. Let us know what event you're interested in via our online form, and we'll update you as the situation changes.
Learn more about the University’s advice regarding COVID-19 here.
For a full listing of our upcoming events, please visit the School's events calendar.
Our Colloquium Series aims to showcase recent research by members of the Department, visiting scholars and international and interstate guests in an informal setting, conducive to lively debate. The Series is coordinated by Dr Gorana Grgic.
- 5 Mar | Beyond the Liberal International Order: 21st Century Global Challenges
- 2 Apr | Exploring Leadership mechanisms and conflict: Micro-data from the CIA
- 6 May | Thinking Ecologically with Marx: how he worked and how we think
- 7 May | The New Global Political Economy of Waste
- 28 May | The Securitization of Sexual and Gender Diversity: Understanding Resistance to the Transnational Diffusion of LGBT Rights
- 4 Jun | “A member of the family?” Domestic labour, care work and employment violations
Steven Weng
Government and International Relations student
“The culture here encourages robust intellectual discussion and debate. The academics who teach you at Sydney influence the political conversation at the national and international levels."
Download our undergraduate course guide (pdf, 4.8MB)
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