Program Director: Assoc. Professor Sandra Tarte

Why study politics and international affairs?

Politics and International Affairs are fascinating and important subjects to study because they have a huge impact on people’s everyday lives. Studying politics and international affairs involves looking at the nature of power, who exercises it, and in whose interests.  It involves learning about how states, regions and the international system operate, and about competition and conflict, cooperation and compromise.

The Politics and International Affairs Program is the place for you if you want to understand more about the way in which individuals, groups and states pursue their visions, values and interests, and the effect that this has had on national, regional and global well-being and stability.

What jobs does it prepare me for?

There are numerous fields you could work in with a BA in Politics and International Affairs. Some of those are: Diplomacy, Civil Service, Journalism, Politics, Advocacy, Policy, Consultancy, Advice/Analysis, Teaching, Research, Public Relations, Mediation and Peace-Building, History, Public Administration, Communications, Sustainable Development.

What Courses could I do?

This undergraduate program introduces students to the contemporary politics of the Pacific region. Courses consider a wide range of topics, from systems of Pacific governance to the role of regional and global institutions, such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the United Nations in the Pacific. Special topics in this field include democracy and governance, the politics of development, human rights, climate change, security, gender, and other subjects of particular concern to the Pacific region.

Below are the courses that you can take as part of the program:

• PL100   Politics and Government
• PL101   Politics of Development
• PL200   Pacific in a Changing World Order
• PL201   International Politics
• PL202   Political Ideologies
• PL203   Governance and Development in the Pacific
• PL300   Parties, Electoral Politics and Democracy
• PL302   International Politics of the Asia Pacific
• PL305  Politics of Human Rights
• PL307  Political Leadership  

All courses are now offered in the Online as well as Face to Face mode. Online mode is only available for students outside Laucala.

How do I get into the programme?

We welcome students from ALL backgrounds. You need not have studied Politics before you get into the programme. However you will need at least one of the following to get into USP:

• Pass your Form 7 school leaving exams with the minimum mark required by USP, OR
• Complete USP’s foundation programme, OR
• Get admitted into the degree programme as a mature age student (23+ years)

What degree pathways can I take?

You can undertake a Politics major (double or single) or minor as part of your Bachelor of Arts, BA/Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Commerce degree.

How do I find out more?

Contact:
Discipline of Government, Development and International Affairs
Prashila Narayan – aka (Shila) 3232382
Email: narayan_p(at)usp.ac.fj

Download the Undergraduate Admission Application Form

For further information on undergraduate study at USP, see the USP Handbook, available on the USP Publication page.