International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development – (M.A.)

The dual-language, dual-degree Master of Arts in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development is highly flexible, allowing students to opt for either an academic or professional orientation, although all students in the program will undertake an appropriate balance of theoretical courses and hands-on, practical, professionally oriented short modules.

Students do graduate-level course work in both English and French, submitting written work in the language of their choice.

They receive both an accredited American MA degree and a French MA-level degree (accreditation dossier pending), both designed in accordance with the new European norms articulated in the Bologna Accords.

The American University of Paris and the Institut Catholique de Paris inaugurated a joint Master of Arts in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development in 2005.

The joint Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) is a unique and dynamic graduate program that provides students with:

* A dual American and European Master's degree.

* A global network to launch a career in the NGO sector or with an international institution, national government or multinational corporation.

* A professional level of competence in written and spoken French.

The missions of both institutions focus on interdisciplinary study, ethical reflection, and internationalism, providing an opportunity to create in Paris a community of scholars working across languages, cultures, and different educational systems to develop conflict resolution and humanitarian skills, global solidarity networks, and future civil society alliances.

Both private universities emphasize a student-oriented, discussion-based education in a European setting with small classes, programs tailored to the individual, a high international profile, and a seasoned research faculty. Both believe in offering graduate programs that balance intellectual/theoretical mastery and hands-on, project-based learning preparatory to successful professional life. And both wish to highlight the linguistic and cultural diversity of their student bodies within the broader field of international education.

Finally, students come from both AUP and ICP as undergraduates, from other institutions across the world having earned the equivalent of a BA degree in International Affairs or a closely related field, and from the working worlds of international institutions, NGOs, and policymaking. Eventually-as both institutions are committed to developing scholarship funding-students will also come on scholarship from countries burdened by conflicts of all kinds.

Learning Goals:

* MA candidates will find in this program a balance between solid intellectual preparation in the social sciences and hands-on professional training with international experts in conflict management and civil society development.

* MA candidates will demonstrate the capacity to take courses in both English and French, and to conduct negotiations and debates in both languages. They will take part in the broader international community created by this bridge built between the AUP and ICP campus.

* MA recipients will acquire the necessary skills in cultural translation and conflict negotiation required to succeed in two different educational systems with distinct traditions and evaluative and teaching methods.

* MA recipients will manifest intellectual autonomy; participate in contemporary culture; and they will demonstrate imagination and openness to new experiences, as well as the flexibility to think across disciplines and transfer skills between areas of expertise.

* MA recipients will demonstrate both the willingness and the expertise to contribute fulsomely to civil society and intellectual life via participation in the extensive opportunities for debate, conference attendance, and cultural events on both campuses.

* MA recipients will be autonomous producers of knowledge, informed decision-makers and skilled facilitators of conflict resolution.