International Studies - History

History

The history of the discipline of International Studies is strongly linked with the history of the study of International Relations, as described in the International Relations entry. However, the study of International Studies as a separate entity to International Relations emerged throughout the 20th century, as an increasingly complex world began to be influenced by globalization, and a greater number of issues emerged (rather than only inter-country relations). The discipline was greatly influenced by the establishment of the International Studies Association, which was established in 1959 by a ‘group of academics and practitioners’ with the aim of ‘seeking to pursue mutual interests in world affairs through the organization of a professional association’. The establishment of the association reflected the increasing interest in global issues and reflected the need for international academic dialogue. Throughout the later stages of the 20th century and into the 21st century, many education institutions worldwide developed International Studies degrees (both undergraduate and postgraduate). The emergence and increasing popularity of these degrees reflects the general patterns of increasing global interconnectedness and globalisation, in that education providers are becoming more aware that the discipline is becoming increasingly relevant and necessary in the context of the 21st century. The discipline has become increasingly popular in Australia. Dr Hanson and Dr Weber of the University of Queensland state that;

‘Australia has become a highly popular destination for students wishing to undertake Coursework, Masters and PhD programs in International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies and Development. Collectively, these inter-related fields have come to be called International Studies, and many of Australia’s universities have responded to the increasing demand for programs in this area’

In 2008, the third OCIS conference (Oceanic Conference on International Studies) was held at the University of Queensland’. The conference brought together over 200 academics, with the keynote speaker Andrew Linklater (the Woodrow Wilson Professor of International Politics at the University of Wales) noting ‘how vibrant and intellectually stimulating International Studies now is in Australia’’. The increasing popularity of the discipline in Australia led to the International Studies Association to establish an Asia-Pacific Regional Section of the ISA at the University of Queensland in 2009’, which was seen as an ‘indication of the growth of this area’’ in Australia.