COURSE CURRICULUM

The Honours year of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Politics) is a 48 credit point program designed to develop advanced research, analytical, and critical thinking skills in political studies and related disciplines. In this final year, students undertake a combination of core research training and an independent thesis. The program includes SCTI470 Research in Critical Social Inquiry (12 credit points), which introduces advanced research methods and approaches used in the social sciences, helping students build strong analytical and interpretive skills. A major component is ASSH480 Thesis (24 credit points), where students conduct an independent research project under academic supervision, focusing on a specific area of politics such as political theory, international relations, public policy, governance, or political economy. This allows students to critically examine political issues and develop original academic insights. In addition, students complete 12 credit points of discipline-specific subjects, chosen based on their academic focus. Options include PHIL470 Research Methods in Philosophy or PAIS470 Research in Politics and International Studies, depending on their area of interest and career goals. Overall, the Honours structure is designed to strengthen research capability, critical reasoning, and academic writing skills, preparing graduates for advanced study or professional careers in government, public policy, international relations, research, and other fields involving political analysis and decision-making.