Postgraduate

POLS440
Principles and Practice of Policy and Governance
Description
This course offers advanced theory and practice of policy making and governance in the not-for-profit, public policy and public and private sectors. The first part of the course will provide foundational knowledge of the principles, theories and historical dimensions of policy analysis and governance. The second part of the course will be composed of a series of intensive professional seminars and case studies, providing students with detailed practical insights into the practical world of giving advice and making decisions while working within the context of a political environment constrained by other institutions, time and resources.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester One 2025 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
POLS441
Principles and Practice of International Relations and Diplomacy
Description
This course offers a blend of theoretical and practical insight into international relations and diplomacy. The first part of the course will provide foundational knowledge of the principles, theories and historical dimensions of foreign policy and diplomacy. The second part of the course will be composed of a series of intensive professional seminars, providing students with detailed practical insights into complex and difficult cases in international relations and diplomacy through the experiences of those involved in them.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
ILAP614
POLS442
Policy and Governance in Small States of New Zealand and the Pacific
Description
This course provides an advanced introduction to policy making and governance challenges in small states, with a particular focus on New Zealand and the small states of the Pacific. Students will be introduced to Pacific and New Zealand political economy/development/challenges, building on insights into the cultural capital, opportunities and risks (environmental, social and economic) that these communities face. Through regional case studies of policy development and governance and seminars with practitioners and community leaders, students will also have opportunities to gain experience in locally led problem solving.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
POLS402
POLS444
International Human Rights
Description
This course examines the growth of the human rights movement over the past 70 years and problems associated with creating a universal set of human rights norms. Contemporary challenges will be examined with a particular emphasis on the Global South.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
POLS405, DIPL405, ILAP662, POLS420 and DIPL418 prior to 2014
POLS445
China's Emergence as a Global Great Power
Description
Covering China’s international relations, government policy-formation process and contemporary institutions, this course will use an issues-based approach to help students develop a thorough understanding of China's emergence as a global great power and the global implications of this.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
POLS406 and DIPL406
POLS446
Political Economy of Economic Growth and Development
Description
This course examines the historical major economic, political, and social changes in the world economy in general and a comparative case study focus on East and Southern Asia. Discussion includes factors contributing to increases in economics performance, changes in the form of government, technological change (including industrialization), and episodes of integration and disintegration of the global economy. The course will also survey the impact of colonialism and the development of the nation-state and examines the theoritical approaches to economic development and growth.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
POLS407, DIPL407, ILAP671
POLS449
Wicked Problems, Politics, and Justice
Description
POLS449 offers an advanced examination of social policy issues from a comparative context. Students will examine a range of "wicked policy problems" (problems that are complex and hard to solve) and governance issues. Students will learn how and why issues are labelled as particularly challenging, analyse a range of responses that have been labelled as successes and failures, and hear from differently situated people in support or opposition of these responses, to understand and gain lessons for future and continuing policy analysts and decision-makers. Over the semester students will engage with key conceptual, methodological, and theoretical challenges that have sparked research seeking to evaluate, explain, and design effective public policy. Importantly, students will engage with critical literature which unpacks assumptions of wicked problem literature and discussions, challenges mainstream policy approaches, and seeks alternative futures.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval by the Head of Department
POLS480
Supervised Research Paper
Description
In this course, students explore a research topic of their choice under the supervision of an appropriate staff member, subject to approval by the Programme Director. Students will be required to attend seminars in preparation for their independent research, and will also make presentations of their research during the year. This course is compulsory for all POLS Honours students. Students are recommended to submit some potential research topics to the honours coordinator upon enrolment.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Whole Year 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
POLS481
Supervised Research Paper A
Description
This is part A of the Supervised Research Paper for students beginning their Honours degree in Semester 2.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
POLS480
POLS482
Supervised Research Paper B
Description
This is part B of the Supervised Research Paper for students beginning their Honours degree in Semester 2.
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
POLS480
POLS650
MA Dissertation
Description
MA Dissertation
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Semester One 2025
Semester Two 2025
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
POLS688
Dissertation
Description
A supervised, independent research project
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
POLS689
Thesis
Description
A supervised, independent research thesis.
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Points
90 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
POLS690
MA Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2025
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
POLS692
Independent Course of Study: Dissertation A
Occurrences
General non-calendar-based 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to the approval of the Head of Department
POLS693
Independent Course of Study: Dissertation B
Occurrences
Semester One 2025
Semester Two 2025
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to the approval of the Head of Department

Not Offered Courses in 2025

Postgraduate

POLS426
Independent Course of Study: Justice Policy and Governance
Occurrences
POLS426-25S1 (D)
Semester One 2025 (Distance) - Not offered
For further information see POLS426 course details
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.