This degree provides the student an opportunity to research, study, and write in the field of international relations and conflict resolution. The approach to International Relations is that this field of study is firmly embedded in the Social Sciences as a whole. The rapid pace of globalization is blurring the boundaries of the state. Traditionally, state borders used to regulate the flows of things “foreign” into the state. Today borders are becoming ever more permeable to the transnational flows of goods, finance, ideas, communications, images, and crime and terrorism. Traditional thinking is also that state borders define the boundaries of a political community implying that domestic politics is qualitatively “different” than international politics. The fact is that individuals increasingly participate in growing networks of “international civil society” where political activities take place transnationally. Consequently, both the external and internal political functions of borders are dissolving. The rapid changes taking place in global society make it difficult to comprehend International Relations by focusing only on the state as the principal unit of analysis. Because of that, the discipline of International Relations is increasingly connected with insights from sociology, political economy, psychology, anthropology, and international law.
This program offers: - Inter-cultural understanding, cooperation, and cosmopolitanism reflected in the staff and student body;
- An insight into the dynamics of international relations, across a number of issue areas, and the different ways of approaching them to prepare students for a number of career paths;
- An insight into the nature of change as an endemic feature of politics on a national, regional and global scale;
- An understanding of the causes of change and mechanisms to manage change;
- An insight into the role of various international actors – state, and non-state- as participants on the international scene;
- Training in research methods in the social sciences;
- A solid foundation in to the philosophical aspects of the study of international relations;
- Insights into the complex relationship between the concerns of domestic and international politics
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning outcomes objectives, the Master of Arts in International Relations also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. Graduates in this degree program will be able to: - Construct and criticize the theory and politics of conflict, war, diplomatic relations, and the evolving nature of the international system.
- Provide students with a research-active teaching environment which gives them a grounding in the study of international relations including its political, social, and economic aspects.
- Assess how state, non-state, and supra-national actors behave and interact through a dynamic appreciation of different levels of analysis
- Critique the theories of international relations, the heritage and development of the discipline, its major debates, its inherent nature as an interdisciplinary study, and a critical appreciation of the essentially contested nature of politics in general and international relations in particular;
- Evaluate the nature and distribution of power in the international systems, the problems of political order and the social economic, historical and cultural context within which international actors operate.
- Assess the current challenges to international order, cooperation, identity, social formations, and global issues, and possible strategies to address them.
- Evaluate the changing role of the state in the context of globalization and regional integration and the implications for international peace and security.
- Conceptualize the different kinds of actors on the international scene, their respective interests, and their influence across a range of issues.
In addition to the program objectives, this Masters Degree in International Relations will assist in providing the student with transferable skills that include: - Communication: You will be encouraged to communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing; to organize information clearly and coherently; and to use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information.
- Information technology: You will be required to produce written documents; and undertake online research.
- Working with others: You will be encouraged to define and review the work of others; to work cooperatively on group tasks; to understand how groups function; and to collaborate with others and contribute effectively to the achievement of common goals;
- Improving own learning: You will develop autonomy in learning, be expected to work independently, and demonstrate initiative and self organization. You will enhance your research skills to a presentation of a clear statement of the purposes and expected results of the research and develop appropriate means of estimating and monitoring resources and use of time.
- Problem Solving: The courses and classroom exercise will emphasize the need to identify and define problems and help you to explore alternative solutions.
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