Master´s Programme in International and European Relations, 120 credits

Introduction

The Master’s Programme in International and European Relations is a two year, full-time study programme that provides the opportunity for students to actively prepare for work, further studies, or research in international and European relations. On completion of the programme the students will have developed an independent and critical approach to International and European relations, and the skills and knowledge that will enable them to actively contribute to developments in this field, either as practitioners or researchers.

The students will:

• develop the capacity to understand, empirically and theoretically, the history, theory and contemporary implications of international and European relations, as well as of the centrifugal and integrative aspects of national and trans-national interconnections and interdependence in broad temporal and spatial terms,
• attain the analytical tools to examine contemporary international and European relations,
• acquire an in-depth understanding of international governance,
• develop the capacity to conduct independent analyses of issues in international and European relations, and to present the results of the analyses.

Aim

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Master of Arts/Science (120 credits) the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Content

The programme is divided into four levels, each equivalent to one Swedish semester:

1. International Relations (30 E
2. European Relations (30 ECTS credits)
3. International governance (30 ECTS credits)
4. Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS credits)CTS credits)

The following courses are included in the programme:

Level 1: International Relations (30 ECTS credits)

INTRODUCTION TO ADVANCED ACADEMIC STUDIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Academic values, rules, practices, and perspectives on social science – 7,5 ECTS

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY
Theoretical and methodological developments in contemporary IR theory – 7,5 ECTS

POLITICS AND ECONOMICS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 
The interaction of economic and political factors in IR – 7,5 ECTS

INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN LAW
The international and European legal system from practical and theoretical viewpoints – 7,5 ECTS

Level 2: European Relations (30 ECTS credits)

CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
The European Union, integration, institutional interactions – 7,5 ECTS

INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN SECURITY
Theoretical and institutional aspects of security policy – 7,5 ECTS

EUROPE'S RELATIONS WITH THE WORLD
EU as a global actor, relations with other regions, and foreign policy agenda – 7,5 ECTS

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Quantitative and qualitative research methods – 7,5 ECTS

Level 3: International Governance or Guided Internship (30 ECTS credits)

DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
The making of foreign policy and practice of diplomacy and international bargaining – 7,5 ECTS

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Global governance and its actors – 7,5 ECTS

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, THEORY AND PRACTICE
Historical and institutional aspects of international governmental and non-governmental organisations – 7,5 ECTS

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE
Theoretical analyses and examinations of contemporary developments in international governance – 7,5 ECTS

Level 4: Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS credits)

MASTER'S THESIS
Completion, presentation and defence of a Master’s thesis, as well as opposition of another Master´s thesis – 30 ECTS

Teaching and working methods

Teaching on the programme is by means of lectures, to provide an overview of the readings and issues at hand, seminars, which allow further possibilities for reflection and discussion, and workshops. Students are also expected to actively participate and take responsibility for their studies through individual reading and analyses of books, journal articles, internet sources etc. through library studies, and through discussions and debates with faculty members and other students.

Examination

Each course is examined individually, and the forms of examination for each course are specified in the course descriptions.

Grades

As stipulated in the syllabi.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree with an in-depth study of at least 90 credits, i.e. 3 semesters of full-time study in the major subject. The programme provides advanced level studies for students of political science, international relations, economics, history, geography, law, media studies, sociology and other social sciences - and for students with other disciplinary backgrounds who can demonstrate an ability to develop their potential in the subject area.

Each applicant must enclose a Letter of Intent written in English, explaining why they want to study this programme, and a summary of their bachelor’s essay or project. If applicants hold a degree that does not include a bachelor’s essay or project, their Letter of Intent should describe previous studies and any academic activities that are related to the master’s programme or the programmes applied for.

English B/English 6 or equivalent.

Threshold requirements

In order to be admitted to the second year of the programme – the third semester – the student must have successfully passed at least 30 ECTS credits of the first year courses.

Degree requirements

The student will be awarded the degree of Master of Social Science (120 credits) with a major in Political Science, specialization International and European Relations provided all course requirements are completed and that the student fulfils the general and specific eligibility requirements including proof of holding a Bachelor’s (kandidat) or a corresponding degree.

Completed courses will be listed in the degree certificate.

A degree certificate is issued by the Faculty Board on request.

A Diploma Supplement will be attached to the degree certificate.

Degree in Swedish

Filosofie masterexamen i huvudämnet statsvetenskap – inriktning internationella och europeiska relationer.

Degree in English

Master of Social Science (120 Credits) with a major in Political Science – specialization International and European Relations

Specific information

Merits

The specific requirements will be assessed as not fulfilled if the average grade is in the lower third of the grading scale used in the country where the degree was awarded, that is grades have to be average/pass or above (the equivalent to the Swedish grade “Godkänd”).

Enrolment Procedure

Students are admitted to the programme in its entirety.
Selection is based on academic merit.

Transfer of Credits

The Board of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences or a person nominated by the board decide whether or not previous education can be transferred into the programme.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English.