International Relations – (M.A.)

Contents

The 36 credit hours required for the Master of Arts (MA) degree must include 3 required courses, 2 courses from the Comparative Politics cluster, 4 courses from the International Politcs cluster and 3 elective courses.

Required courses

INTL 5000 Introduction to International Relations

Students are introduced to the discipline of international relations through an overview of international security, foreign policy, international organizations, international law, and international political economy. Students examine the basic structure, processes, and issues relating to international affairs.

INTL 5100 Research Methods and Perspectives

Students are introduced to skills, methodological issues, and bibliographic resources, which enhance their ability to evaluate critically and to conduct research in the field of international relations.

INTL 6000 International Relations: theory and practice

Various contemporary theories of international relations are examined. The relationship of theory to the practice of international relations is considered. This course presents an overview for students who are completing a major in international relations. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses in this major (instead of INTL 6250)

INTL 6250 Thesis (instead of INTL 6000)

The student completes a thesis project under the supervision of two faculty members. The thesis option is recommended for those considering graduate study at the doctoral level. All theses must follow university guidelines and be deposited in the Webster University library.

Elective courses

Any of the following INTL courses, any of the following pre-approved non-INTL courses related to International Relations, or any additional courses from the two clusters.

BUSN 5200 Basic Finance for Managers

Managers and human resources management professionals must be able to understand financial information contained in financial statements and reports. Line managers must be able understand financial information contained in financial statements and reports in order to evaluate their unit's financial performance, to communicate clearly with other managers, and to apply financial information when making decisions. Human resources management professionals must understand financial statements and principles if they are to effectively assist line managers and be strategic partners with other business functions. This course will focus on the interpretation and use of basic financial information by non-financial managers, not on the production of financial statements and reports. (FINC 5000 cannot be substituted for BUSN 5200.)

HRMG 5000 Managing Human Resources

This course is a comprehensive view of personnel policy development with emphasis on the interdependence of personnel and operating functions. Students analyze personnel functions of recruitment, development, training, compensation, integration into the workforce, and maintenance of personnel for the purpose of contributing to organizational, societal, and individual goals.

INGO 5000 International Nongovernmental Organization

This course will explore the world of International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) by reviewing the types of, and institutional issues related to, INGOs. Specifically, the course will review the activities and roles of INGOs as subcontractors, educators, technical assistance providers, humanitarian aid providers, and policy advocates. It will also examine the role of INGOs in civil society and how INGOs are shaped by world politics, states, and economic forces.

INGO 5100 Finance, Budgeting and Accounting International Nongovernmental Organization

The focus of the course is on the financial management of international nongovernmental organizations and describes a wide variety of methods, processes and tools of finance, accounting, and budgeting.

INGO 5300 Human Resources and Staffing for International Nongovernmental Organizations

Human resources management in international nongovernmental organizations offers students the guidance and techniques necessary to implement effective human resources management strategies in public and non-profit organizations - from job analysis to performance evaluation, from recruitment and selection to training and development, from compensation and benefits to collective bargaining. The course also covers important but neglected topics such as recruiting and managing volunteers and working with a board of directors.

INGO 5500 Principles of Negotiation

This course is designed to help students become effective negotiators by introducing them to the theory and processes of negotiation in an international setting. Students will be introduced to negotiating strategies and bargaining techniques.

INGO 5700 Grant Writing, Fundraising and Development for International Nongovernmental Organizations

This course is designed to help students develop in-depth experience and knowledge of two of the most widely used and highly valued forms of nonprofit writing: grant proposals and the various documents necessary for holding a fundraising event. It will also provide an overview of other common forms of writing within the international nonprofit sector.

INGO 5900 Project Management for International Nongovernmental Organizations

The course covers the major events and issues arising during the management of projects in the order in which they usually occur. The focus of this course is on organizing by projects in both national and international contexts, taking into account the organizational dynamics in project-oriented organizations and the projects' relation to its environment.

INTB 5000 International Business

The student is introduced to the language and terminology of international business and major international political and economic policies that affect modern international businesses. Special attention is given to fundamental concepts of international finance, accounting, law, management, and marketing.

INTB 5710 Cross-Cultural Management

The cultural, attitudinal, and behavioral differences that affect international business are examined. Course content focuses on the cultural differences between nations and how these differences affect social organizations. The management of multinational corporations from the perspective of environment, structure, process, and interfirm and intrafirm relations is considered.

INTL 5300 Field work

Students are involved actively with operations of non-academic institutions and engage in various aspects of field research. Policies and procedures in Directed Studies must be followed. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5500 Professional Seminars

Students participate in seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in international relations. The professional seminar supplements the core and elective courses in the area of international relations by focusing on issues of current and special interest. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. This course may not be completed by directed study.

INTL 5610 Non-thesis Research

This is an intensive, one-on-one reading and/or research course for students with special interests in cooperation with an individual professor. This course may not duplicate other courses in the curriculum. Policies and procedures in Directed Studies must be followed. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5900 Advanced Research Methods

This course builds upon INTL 5100 by providing additional analytical and theoretical background relating to research methods, data analysis, qualitative techniques, and statistical theory. May be substituted for a course in the Comparative or in the International Cluster. Prerequisite: INTL 5100.

INTL 6500 Internship

Internship

MNGT 5210 Nonprofit Revenue Development

The primary focus of this course is to learn how to identify and implement related business opportunities to generate revenue streams to supplement or replace the traditional nonprofit fundraising and development activities. The course will provide an understanding of the specific skills, and knowledge required to lead and manage the revenue development process in today's nonprofit organizations. Through readings, discussion, and best-practices, students will identify and examine related business revenue development and fundraising issues and methods with a goal of becoming a self-sustaining nonprofit organization. Prerequisite: None

MNGT 5590 Organizational Behavior

This course introduces students to many of the basic principles of human behavior that effective managers use when managing individuals and groups in organizations. These include theories relating to individual differences in abilities and attitude, attribution, motivation, group dynamics, power and politics, leadership, conflict resolution, organizational culture, and organizational structure and design.

MRKT 5000 Marketing

Students examine the character and importance of the marketing process, its essential functions, and the institutions exercising these functions. Course content focuses on the major policies that underlie the activities of marketing institutions and the social, economic, and political implications of such policies.

2 courses from the Comparative Politics cluster and 4 courses from the International Politics cluster

INTL 5050 Comparative Politics (Comparative Politics cluster)

Students explore how we use comparison to theorize about politics and to identify both what holds across cultures and nations and what is idiosyncratic requiring area studies expertise. Topics may include democratization, state and nation building, stability and decay of institutions, systems of representation, parliamentary versus presidential governance, political development, and ideology.

INTL 5400 International Political Economy (International Politics cluster)

Students explore, historically and conceptually, the interplay of economics and politics at the global level. They examine such phenomena as: the clash of the market and state, the north-south conflict, and the worldwide impact of technological change, transnational corporations, and the competition for accumulation.

INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations (International Politics cluster)

Students consider the growing literature on international relations theory, classical and modern, including realism, liberalism, feminism, behavioralism, globalism, and Marxist and imperialist theories, and the people who have elaborated these ideas and the context in which they did so. Students methodologically critique and compare theories, as well as gain an appreciation for the relevance of theory for international relations.

INTL 5530 International Law (International Politics cluster)

This course surveys trends and practices that are part of the process of adjudication across national boundaries. Some historical background is provided. Current cases and procedures are the major focuses of course content.

INTL 5540 International Organizations (International Politics cluster)

Various approaches to international organizations are explored, and the contribution of these organizations to peace and economic and social progress is examined. Current issues facing the United Nations and its associated agencies are discussed within this context.

INTL 5550 War and Diplomacy (International Politics cluster)

Students examine the evolution of diplomacy and warfare in international relations. Specifically, students examine the roots of conflict between nations and study the mechanisms through which international conflicts are resolved.

INTL 5560 U.S. Foreign Policy (International Politics cluster)

Students examine the issues, agents, and models surrounding the American foreign policy decision-making process and the issues facing the United States in contemporary international relations.

INTL 5570 Comparative Foreign Policy (International Politics cluster)

This course compares how various governments develop the strategies that guide their actions in international affairs. This course employs an institutional and cross-national approach to demonstrate how foreign policy is formulated and influenced by domestic and international considerations. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5580 Politics of Development (Transnational Issues cluster)

The student examines problems of social, economic, and political development in Third World nations. Course content focuses on problems of nation building in the postcolonial era and the role of the developing nations in world politics.

INTL 5600 Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

The student examines the history, culture, politics, and economic systems of regions and countries that play an important role in world politics. Specific content varies from term to term and includes regions such as Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and North America. The course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics (Comparative Politics cluster)

Specific topics in comparative politics are examined in depth. Topics may be issues, such as democratization, military politics, migration, health care policies, etc., examined using a cross-national approach, or the politics of a specific nation (e.g., China, Mexico) Maybe be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5625 Middle East Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in the region known as the Middle East, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5635 Western European Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in Western Europe, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5645 Asian Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in Asia, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5655 African Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in Africa, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5665 South and Central Asia Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in the regions known as South Asia and Central Asia, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5675 Russia and Eastern European Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in Russia and Eastern Europe, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5685 Latin American Area Studies (Comparative Politics cluster)

This course examines politics in the region known as the Latin America, examining them in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects that this courser include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.

INTL 5700 Humanitarian Issues in International Politics (International Politics cluster)

This course provides a forum for investigating such transnational issues as: regionalism, the environment, human rights, and refugees. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs

INTL 5800 Globalization (International Politics cluster)

Globalization is the intensification of economic, political, social, and cultural relations across international borders. The course will focus on the uneven process of globalization and its effects in terms of cross-national intensity, geographical scope, and national and local depth. Further, the course will explore the factors which have led to globalization in the context of the debate about the real content of the globalization process and the degree of change they invoke in the international system. In addition the course will focus on several key international issues that are currently shaping the global political and economic environment.

INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics (International Politics cluster)

The course examines in depth such issues and topics as: terrorism, controlling weapons of mass destruction, illicit trade, imperialism, and conflict resolution. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

INTL 5870 International Law and Politics of Outer Space (International Politics cluster)

This course examines issues of law and policy. It focuses on the political implications and emerging patterns and activities regarding space exploration, space travel and possible settlements by international actors. Also examines implications of technological developments for the global community. May not be repeated for credit.

INTL 5890 Terrorism in World Politics (International Politics cluster)

This course examines the causes and political responses to terrorism in international politics. Issues examined may include origins and goals of major global terrorist organizations, tension between civil liberties and security in responding to terrorism, distinguishing between terrorism and other forms of warfare, etc. May not be repeated.

Accreditation

Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, 312-263-0456, www.ncahlc.org.
The accreditation, which was awarded in 1925, includes undergraduate and graduate levels at all locations where the University offers programs.

Funding details

Several scholarships are available for students studying at both the graduate and undergraduate level at Webster University in The Netherlands. Scholarships run for a maximum of one Academic Year (Summer - Spring 2). If application is awarded part way through an Academic Year then it will run until the end of that Academic Year and be renewable from the beginning of the following Academic Year.

Gateway Scholarship, sponsored by the Holland-America Friendship Foundation

For New Undergraduate and Graduate Students This scholarship is offered to new, motivated fulltime students applying for any of the undergraduate or graduate programs offered at our Leiden and/or Amsterdam locations. The award is normally 15% of total full-time tuition. If you are motivated to work 10 hours a week at the University, you can increase your scholarship to 25% of the full-time tuition. To be eligible, students must have been fully admitted to study at Webster University and show evidence of academic excellence (GPA 3.5 or equivalent) as well as leadership potential and promise for future studies.

For the Gateway application form and terms, please see the attachments on the lefthand side.

Application deadline: June 1 for applicants wishing to start in Fall; November 1 for those wishing to start in Spring or Summer.

Mayflower Scholarship

For Current Webster Graduate and Undergraduate Students The Mayflower Scholarship can be awarded to undergraduate or graduate students currently registered at Webster Leiden. This competitive scholarship is based upon academic merit and is normally renewable at the end of the scholarship period (end of Spring 2). if the awardee maintains continuous full-time enrollment at Webster Leiden and meets or exceeds the required cumulative grade point average of 3.5. The scholarship award is up to 25% of tuition costs (15% base and an additional 10% if you are willing to work extra hours at the University).

Application Requirements: Scholarship consideration occurs after having obtained at least 30 credits (undergrad) or 6 credits (graduate) at Webster Leiden.
For the Mayflower application form and terms, please see the attachments on the lefthand side.

Application deadline: June 1 for Fall scholarships; November 1 for Spring or Summer scholarships.

Webster Study Grants

For new and current Graduate and Undergraduate students Students who do not meet with the GPA requirement for scholarships but who are in financial hardship, may qualify for a Webster Study Grant. This needs-based grant normally requires a GPA of 3.3, but exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. However it should be borne in mind that also these grants are competitive.
For the Study Grant application form and terms, please see the attachments on the lefthand side.

Sverdrup International Scholarship

For study at a Webster Campus in the USA The Sverdrup fund was established as an endowed fund to promote and advance international awareness among the students and faculty of Webster University. Each year Webster University awards a number of students from campuses in Europe with scholarships for study at a Webster campus in the United States. The minimum award is 250.00.

Students who are planning a permanent transfer to St Louis are not eligible to apply.

The Sverdrup Scholarship can be used in conjunction with a WWWTP award.
For any student awarded a Sverdrup Scholarship, the amount of their award will be applied to their account as a credit for the specific term(s) they will be studying in the U.S. The funds are automatically applied toward any outstanding tuition, fees, etc. on the student's account. Once they have a zero balance, any amount remaining will be refunded to the students.

For the Sverdrup application form and terms for 2010/2011, please see the attachments on the lefthand side.

Chris Devries Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Chris Devries, advisory board member 2002 - 2008 who enjoyed meeting students, helping them learn how to network and build relationships, and stimulated students with potential to achieve greatness. Scholarships will be targeted towards students from disadvantaged backgrounds who show potential for leadership as seen by specific activities highlighted in the application. Academic standards still apply (minimum GPA = 3.3 or if above age 30 with a lower GPA exceptions may be made following their first 6 credits earned at Webster).

Please contact your Academic Advisor if you think you are eligible for this scholarship.

Len Even Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship

A scholarship fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship in current Webster students from all majors. The award to the value of maximum € 5000 will be shared by one graduate and one undergraduate student each year based on their best proposal or business plan, to be applied as free tuition for a course in entrepreneurship and/or an internship placement or special 1:1 project supervised by an expert, to achieve the realization of their business idea. Applications for 2011 are open until 1 February, presentations will be made at the annual degree ceremony in May. Non-business majors (e.g. media, ngo-management, social entrepreneurship) are also encouraged to apply, see your study advisor for details.

More scholarship possibilities:

NUFFIC