Arts/Law vs International Relations/Law (1 Viewer)

[casablanca]

I will hopefully be starting at ANU next year, and I'm hoping to get in to law. At the moment, I've put Arts/Law down on my UAC preferences, but I was browsing through the ANU courses earlier and saw a degree called International Relations. I'm not sure whether I should enrol in that or an Arts degree. I'm really interested in history and politics, which would mean an International Relations degree would be a good choice. However, I'm also interested in sociology, film studies and even English, subjects which would fall under an Arts degree. I guess what I'm basically asking for is for some advice as to whether I should choose such a specific degree in International Relations if I'm still unsure as to my career path. Does anyone do International Relations, and if so, are there any opportunities to take electives outside of that degree? If I do Arts I will most likely major in history, but I don't really understand how the minor/elective system works, so I just want to know about flexibility. Hope that makes sense...

Thanks!

 

[Ishynooshy]

ANU introduced this major/minor degree structure for incoming 2012 students so it is a bit confusing. Most of the people here would have been enrolled prior to this change and so I'm just going off what's described on the StudyAt site.

Whether you choose BA/LLB or BIR/LLB will depend on how much of the IR component you would like to do.

With the BA/LLB, you have the option of completing two arts majors or an arts major and minor. From what you've written, if you decide to take two arts majors, you would have to do 48 units of History subjects and 48 units of IR subjects. If you do the major/minor route, you can choose to either do 48 units of history or IR, 24 units of the other subject area and a further 24 units are electives from the College of Arts and Social Science.

The BIR/LLB is a lot more focused on IR. 48 units are for an IR major, 24 units in an IR specialisation and another 24 units towards say a History minor.

I'm not an arts or IR student, but if you're unsure about whether you'd enjoy IR, I would choose the BA/LLB with the major/minor component just for the flexibility. You'll have a good idea by the end of first year if you like IR. At that time, I don't think it would be too late to transfer to the BIR/LLB if you enjoy IR, change your major/minors or do a double major in arts. When you go to enrol in your subjects, you should also tell whoever's helping you about your intentions and they should be able to enrol you in courses that will make the transition from the two degrees,if necessary, as smoothly as possible.

HTH

 

[ajdlinux]

I'd suggest starting with the BA/LLB - I assume you'll be able to choose all the same first year Arts courses as in the BIR program, so if you do decide you want to transfer to the BIR you can get full credit.

 

[casablanca]

Thank you both so much for your advice. I decided to go with Arts/Laws Now just waiting for accommodation...