International Relations and International Organizations – (M.A.)

Contents

The one-year interdisciplinary IRIO Master of Arts programme has a workload of 60 ECTS credit points, which equals one year of full-time academic study. The programme has three objectives: to enhance general analytical skills, to apply these skills in specialized research in the area of international relations, and to further career perspectives through a career-oriented internship. In a three months period the student will have an excellent opportunity to apply his/her knowledge and skills in a actual work environment, creating a clear and efficient career profile. The degree programme is concluded by writing a Master´s thesis. A Master´s degree enables graduates to enter the labour market at a high level or to continue in academia.

The primary objective of the IRIO MA programme is deepening academic insights in the subject matter, building on the knowledge and skills acquired during the BA programme. This is done by offering four possibilities for further specialization, the so-called Master´s tracks. The IRIO programme offers research modules in these four Master´s tracks which concern the various essential issues involved. The tracks are similar to the main research themes of the Department of International Relations and International Organization: International Security (IS); International Political Economy (IPE); European Integration (EI); and Global Governance (GG).

The programme includes the following courses:

• Theory of International Relations: Capita Selecta (10 ECTS) - This course aims at the acquisition of knowledge of and insight in the theory of international relations: the three paradigms, various theoretical views of international relations (for instance ideology, ethics, diplomacy, and political culture) and the role of the state;

• Research Seminar (10 ECTS) - The choice for the research seminar depends on the selected path of specialization (International Security and Theory of International Relations, International Political Economy, European Co-operation and Integration or International Order). In the first semester of the academic year 2007/2008, the following research seminars are offered in the English language: Leading Theorists on International Relations and the Theory of War, Power Configurations in World Politics, and the United Nations from the 20th to the 21st Century. In the second semester, it concerns the following topics: The Political Economy of Oil, and Ethics and International Relations. A research seminar deepens the knowledge gained during the BA-study and the MA lecture course Theory of International Relations. It is concluded by a written exam on a substantial portion of academic literature. The course also includes the training of skills, like participating in discussions, giving oral presentations and debating with a fellow student on a thesis related to the central topic of the course. For futher information, see the yearly published brochure on research seminars.

• Paper International Relations (5 ECTS) - During the above-mentioned seminar the student does research on an individually selected theme, resulting in the writing of a paper. The paper has to be presented in public on a theme-related conference;

• Optional course (5 ECTS) - Optional courses are in International or European Law, International Politics and International Economics. The selected course has to be related to the Seminar Key Subject;

• Internship (10 ECTS) (optional) - An internship of three months at a private or public company or organisation at home or abroad constitutes an optional part of the curriculum; instead of an internship, students may also opt for an extra seminar course of 10 ECTS.

• Master thesis (20 ECTS) - The Master thesis is a written (extended) essay based on interdisciplinary research on a subject that fits within one of the main areas of the programme: international security, international political economy, European cooperation and integration, development studies, human rights and ethics.

After successful completion of the MA International Relations, students receive a Master´s degree from the University of Groningen.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Dutch Government