Masters Degrees in International Relations, Germany

The “Master in Advanced European and International Studies” provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the present times. Its encompassing teaching method and study-trips help the students to gain a complete understanding of international politics. The programme follows an original approach that distinguishes it from other Master's courses in European Studies and International Relations: the Trilingual branch is taught in three different languages -English, French and German- and in different study-locations -Nice, Canterbury and Berlin-.

Programme

Nice

The programme of the trilingual branch starts in Nice.
The first term encompasses introductory classes to all of the five modules (International Relations, European Integration, Economy and Globalisation, Federalism and Governance, and Professional Skills), completed by international conferences and seminars dealing with current world politics events.
This term is concluded with a mid-term exam at the beginning of January.

Canterbury

The second term takes place in Canterbury (UK), in co-operation with the University of Kent.
During this term, students choose three courses among the curriculum proposed by the School of Politics and International Relations of the University, in line with their specialisation.
At the end of the term, students write an essay for each of the three courses, as required by the University of Kent.
A one-week study trip to the European and international organisations in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg is organised during the second term.

Berlin

During the third term in Berlin, the programme aims at deepening the students’ knowledge of European integration and contemporary problems in international relations, through several thematic workshops.
Our partner in Berlin, the Institut für Europäische Politik provides a dialogue with European integration experts and offers an insight into political life in Berlin.Moreover, one of the workshops takes place at the University of Rostock, in North-East Germany.
The third term concludes with a final oral examination.

Master thesis

From September to December, students will write a substantial thesis based on original research, on a topic chosen with the permanent staff of the programme. This thesis is assessed by a board of examiners.

Internship

From January onwards, students will do an internship of a duration of at least three months. The internship can be accomplished in a European institution, an international organisation, national diplomacy, consultancies, non-governmental organisations or research institutes. At the end of the internship, students submit a substantial internship report, which is assessed by a board of examiners.

Curriculum

International Relations

Complex interdependency, dynamic power figurations and imbalances characterise today's world politics, an arena that is influenced by diverse actors in multi-level processes. Since its establishment in the early 20th century, the academic discipline of International Relations (IR) has been shaped by different schools of thought. Therefore, we will explore the major theories that draft a comprehensive or holistic explanation of international politics, in order both to identify presuppositions in public debates and to apply those theoretical tools to academic analysis.

European Integration

At the beginning of the new millennium, the European Union can look back at considerable achievements such as the completion of the monetary union. On the other hand, the EU remains confronted with greater challenges: new member states need to be fully integrated, the EU institutions must be reformed, a common identity for foreign and security politics must be reinforced, the acceptance of the EU amongst its Member States’ populations needs to be strengthened.

Federalism and Governance

This seminar attempts to provide an original perspective of contemporary political societies, especially concerning problems such as sovereignty, minority questions, democratic representation, and economic coordination.
This perspective is inspired by methods and different currents of federalist thought.

Economy and Globalisation

This course aims at giving an overview of the forces that drive world trade. International economics analyses the exchanges of goods, services and capitals between countries. It also analyses the conditions under which these exchanges take place. If the rule of free trade appears to have priority, in actuality, many countries resort to protectionism, in spite of WTO rules. Globalisation is at the heart of the concerns (or fears) of various players, such as political leaders, unions, businesses, households, civil society, etc. Are we witnessing the shifting of the world’s centre in favour of South and East Asia?

Professional Skills Workshops

This module equips the participants with the professional skills and competences that will enable them to work in the context of the European and international organisations. They will take actively part in several simulation games and follow workshops on project cycle management, intercultural management, as well as on mediation and negotiation.

Applications and Scholarships

Candidates can submit their application dossier by using the form available on the Institute’s website. They should also include all the relevant documents, or send them by post or e-mail. An academic committee meets regularly in order to review complete applications.
A limited number of scholarship funds can be awarded to particularly qualified candidates to cover some of the costs related to studies or accommodation. The deadline is 15 August of the current year.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any enquiry.

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The Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy is an academic and professional program that prepares students not only for careers in the foreign service, in intergovernmental organizations, or international businesses, but also in nongovernmental watchdogs or NGOs, think tanks and academic research, consultancy, and journalism as well as public and foreign policy. The program combines problem solving, structural analysis, project development and management with a comprehensive theoretical and critical examination of the political, cultural, legal, and socio-economic practices that make up our increasingly interdependent and complex world.

Because the political and economic problems central to foreign relations today invariably transcend national boundaries, the international agenda encompasses technological, religious, ethno‐linguistic, and humanitarian concerns, as well as the more traditional area of diplomatic activity. Drawing from multiple fields including finance, law, history, philosophy, and theology, this program is decidedly interdisciplinary. It is taught by a diverse faculty of distinguished academics and seasoned practitioners who reflect the cross-cutting issues and interests that inform international relations today.

The University’s regular guest lecture series and simulation exercises also add a unique dimension to the program. Delivered and conducted by experienced working diplomats and professionals in international development and business, these complementary curricular support activities enable Schiller International University’s students to break out of the classroom and gain hands-on experience even as they explore internship opportunities or network with potential employers. Finally, the program encompasses study visits to international organizations within immediate reach of each of the University’s campuses to ensure continuous exposure to real-time developments.

Your coursework will cover such areas as:

Globalization and economic development
International law
Comparative foreign policy
Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations
Supranational structures and regional federations
Human rights and humanitarian law and norms
Migration, Asylum, and Citizenship
Security, Surveillance, and Information Technologies
Area studies

With a teacher-student ratio of 1 to 10, you will develop close, informal relationships with faculty, based on active collaboration. The program requires 36 credits and can be completed in 3 semesters of full-time study.

Starting Dates

Thanks to Schiller’s unique monthly-intake system, you can start your education at any time of the year. You don’t have to wait for traditional semester starting dates. Every month there’s a new start at Schiller.

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The “Master in Advanced European and International Studies” provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the present times. Its encompassing teaching method and study-trips help the students to gain a complete understanding of international politics. The programme follows an original approach that distinguishes it from other Master's courses in European Studies and International Relations: the European Integration and Global studies programme is taught in English and in three different study-locations: Berlin, Nice, Rome.

Programe

Nice

The academic year starts in Nice (from October to December), it encompasses classes on the basics of all the four modules (International Relations, European Integration, Economy and Globalisation and Federalism and Governance), completed by the seminar « Project cycle management », the core part of the fifth module "Professional Skills Workshops".

Berlin

In Berlin the programme focuses on the experiences of Eastern and Central European countries following their accession to the European Union as well as those fundamental problems with which Turkey and other future candidate countries are faced.
During this period the participants take their midterm exams.
A one week study trip takes them to the European institutions and international organisations in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

Rome

The third term deals with the relations of the European Union with candidate countries, as well as with Caucasus countries, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The programme concludes in Rome, where we have a long-term relationship with the University EuroSapienza and the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI).

Curriculum

Conflict and cooperation in the international system

A theoretically grounded approach to revisit the continuities and changes of international relations. Following a theoretical introduction into the grand schools of thought of international relations theory, we will approach the interdisciplinary field of conflict and violence studies. From its very beginning, understanding and explaining questions of war and peace has been at the heart of 'International Relations' as an academic discipline. A special focus will be attributed to inter-group violence and inter-state conflicts in both the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe: from the Western Balkans to Cyprus, from Israel to Palestine, from Ukraine to Syria.

European Integration and external action

This seminar aims at familiarising the students, who could well become the next generation of European and international decision-makers, with an expert knowledge of the structures, institutions, and problems of the European Union.We focus firstly on the historical development of European unification and then go on to analyse the Union’s institutions and study the basics of EU law. The last part of the program is devoted to the different policies of the EU and especially emphasises the challenges of enlargement.

Federalism, multi-level governance and conflict resolution

For the last fifteen years, federalism has known a revival as an international field of studies. In this framework, three major developments can be considered. The first is the study of the European Union, not analysed any more as a process of integration but in terms of federal institutional comparative approach. The second development is multi-level governance, that can be conceived as an extension of federalism as it deals with any form of multi-tier institutional system. This cooperative/competitive approach has appeared to understand the institutional consequences of the process of globalisation in post-industrialised societies, and of the subsequent changing of nature of sovereignty in the relevant states. Eventually, federalism has become a tool of conflict resolution, in order to resolve violent conflicts all over the world.

Economy, globalisation and sustainable development

The module puts a specific focus on the role of the EU as an economic actor on the global stage, with its opportunities and challenges driven both by European specific evolutions and globalisation trends. Finally, the module proposes an introduction to global sustainable development issues (climate change, access to water, etc.), as they are among the most decisive challenges that will shape the future of the world economy.

Professional Skills Workshops

This module equips the participants with the professional skills and competences that will enable them to work in the context of the European and international organisations. They will take actively part in several simulation games and follow workshops on project cycle management, intercultural management, as well as on mediation and negotiation.

The deadline for applications is 1 August of the current year.

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The “Master in Advanced European and International Studies” provides an overarching and extensive view of the political, social, economic and cultural issues of the present times. Its encompassing teaching method helps the students to gain a complete understanding of international politics. The programme follows an original approach that distinguishes it from other Master's courses in European Studies and International Relations: the Mediterranean branch is taught in English and French and in three different study-locations: Nice, Tunis and Rome. The programme is structured into three terms.

Programme

Nice

The first term (October to January) starts in the European Union, in Nice, France. It encompasses classes on the basics of the five modules (Conflict Management and Peace Making, Sustainable Development and Globalisation, Regional Integration and Transformation, Mediterranean Politics and Societies as well as Professional Skills Workshops). Studying in France helps the students to analyse the Mediterranean region and Euro-Mediterranean relations from an EU perspective. Courses will introduce to the institutional architecture of the EU and its neighbourhood policy. They will also discuss the shared risks of populism, terrorism and climate change. Mid-term exams will take place in December. The trimester concludes with a simulation exercise.

Tunis

The second term (January to April) starts off in Tunis, Tunisia. Our cooperation partner, the Université Internationale de Tunis, is famous for its integration of international students in Tunisia. Thanks to our partner, the Institut de Recherche sur le Maghreb Contemporain (IRMC), students will have access to the expertise and the library of one of the most renowned think tanks in the Maghreb. Researchers from the region will analyse transformation processes in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean in times of globalisation. Studying in Tunisia will provide the students with a unique experience of a historic democratisation process that turns the nobelpeace-prize winning country into a role model throughout the MENA region. For non-Arab speakers an Arab language course is compulsory.
A study trip to Istanbul will take place druing the 2nd or the 3rd term.

Rome

The programme concludes in Rome, Italy (April to July) where the courses are organised in cooperation with the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), one of the leading European think tanks, and our long-term partner, the Sapienza University. Special focus will be given to Foreign Policy Analysis (EU, Russia, US, Iran), as well as migration, poverty and food security, including visits of relevant UN institutions. A workshop in Istanbul will deal with the changing EU-Turkey relations. Students will have the opportunity to advance in their research work, as they are free of obligations from mid-May to mid-June to work on their thesis. The programme concludes with the defence of the thesis and oral exams. With their graduation in the “eternal city”, students become part of CIFE’s worldwide Alumni network.

Curriculum

Conflict Management and Peace Making

The Mediterranean is a case study par excellence for Peace and Conflict Studies. Understanding and explaining questions of war and peace has been at the heart of „International Relations“ as an academic discipline – from its very beginning, after the First World War. In the last two decades Mediterranean societies have been significantly affected by inter-group violence and inter-state conflicts: from the Western Balkans to Cyprus, from Israel to Palestine, from Syria to Lybia. Mediterranean conflicts are partly characterised by external interventions. The module will focus at causes and dynamics of escalation and de-escalation, including international law and peace-making in a multiperspective approach. Theories on violence and peace will help to analyse the case studies proposed.

Sustainable development and Globalisation

The Mediterranean in the 21st century faces unprecedented economic, environmental and social challenges. As economic development exercises increased pressure on limited resources, deteriorates the environment and creates growing inequalities, Mediterranean economies struggle to find their way through these challenges. An introduction into economics as an academic discipline will set the ground for a regional analysis of sustainable development, energy policies, climate action and demographic dynamics.

Regional integration and transformation

The European Union became a model of regional integration. Nation states agreed to transform their sovereignity into a multi-level governance system sui generis to keep regional peace, increase welfare and economic power. How is the dynamic architecture of European institutions functioning – in times of both Europeanisation and Euroscepticism? And to what extent are the Arab League or the Union for the Mediterranean comparable models of regional integration?
Regional integration is primarily an elite-driven, government-sponsored transformation process. However, socio-economic and political change can be triggered by civil society and social movements, as the „Arab Spring“ has shown transregionally in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Change and continuity differ significantly in the MENA-region. Why? And which repercussions for the Union for the Mediterranean?

Mediterranean Politics and Societies

Mediterranean Politics are shaped by an interplay of different policy fields and policy actors. Theories of International Relations (i.e. Foreign Policy Analysis, Migration Theories) will help to understand the dynamics of policy making towards and in the Mediterranean region. Migration constitutes a challenging and complex policy field throughout the Mediterranean.
In a second part of this module we will approach Mediterranean societies with a generational focus upon „youth“. The current number of youth in the Mediterranean is unprecedented. Meanwhile, youth unemployment is a phenomenon that nearly all Mediterranean societies have in common. At the crossroads of theory and practice this module will identify solutions to the challenges the young generation faces in the Mediterranean.

Professional Skills Workshops

The participants will take part in negotiation and mediation trainings, simulation games and follow career workshops as well as workshops on project cycle management and intercultural communication.

Applications and Scholarships

Candidates can submit their application dossier by using the form available on the Institute’s website. They should also include all the relevant documents, or send them by post or e-mail. An academic committee meets regularly in order to review complete applications.
A limited number of scholarship funds can be awarded to particularly qualified candidates. The deadline for application is 15 August of the current year.

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About the programme

Globalisation holds both great risks and immense opportunities; it also creates excellent career prospects for qualified graduates. One of the cornerstones of this preogramme is its interdisciplinary curriculum, which prepares students for work at the intersection of various academic disciplines.

In the core modules and your chosen interdisciplinary focus modules, you will study political theory, governance research and, building on this, comparative theories of government, European integration research, the changing traditional institutions before the background of complex multi-layered systems, as well as public policy design and implementation. Foreign languages, empirical social research know-how and scientific theory round off the qualification profile of those graduating in this degree programme.

This is an accredited programme of study which has received the Seal of Quality of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany.

Features

– The only Governance and Public Policy programme in Germany to include public law modules
– A unique range of courses and excellent staff-student ratio in small master's classes
– A top-ranked programme, e.g. CHE Ranking 2012/13
– A large number of partnerships with universities abroad, particularly useful for students on this degree programme (UK, France, USA, Pakistan and other countries)
– One of only eight degree programmes in Germany to have been included in the Public Policy and Good Governance programme of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
– Gain a supplementary qualification – the Certificate of Digital Humanities

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Applications close May 15.

The English-language Master in Modern Indian Studies is an interdisciplinary MA programme focusing on economic, political, social and cultural transformations in modern India.

The study programme addresses a number of key questions including: How does India's cultural and religious diversity effect societal developments? How does the democratic system address issues of social inequality? How can the dynamics of economic development in a pluralistic society be understood?

Looking for answers to profound questions such as these requires an interdisciplinary approach. That's why faculty and researchers at the Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS) come from a wide range of academic backgrounds including development economics, anthropology, history, Indology, political science, religious studies and sociology.

About CeMIS & the University of Goettingen

Founded in 2009, CeMIS has established an excellent reputation as one of the few centres in Europe and South Asia taking an interdisciplinary approach to the study of modern India. It is part of the University of Goettingen, one of the academically outstanding universities in Germany. Boasting over 40 Nobel Prize winners, the university has a rich tradition and is renowned for its outstanding research institutions and its welcoming campus environment.

The University of Goettingen is an equal opportunities institution which actively promotes diversity. We especially encourage women and those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.

Costs

• There are NO tuition fees at German universities
• Affordable cost of living in a traditional German university city of 120,000 inhabitants
• The student union membership fee (about 300€/semester) includes free travel in the city and throughout the state, free entry to a number of cultural events, and subsidised meals for students at the university canteens.
• Third-party scholarships may be available. Find out more at http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/scholarships/557109.html

Contacts

• Want to know more about the study programme, please contact Dr Michael Dickhardt: [email protected]
• Have questions about the application and admissions process, please contact Martin Ertelt: [email protected]
Want to speak to a current CeMIS MA student? Contact:
• Nidhish Krishnankutty Sundar: After finishing a MA in Political Science from Hyderabad Central University, last year Nidhish started a MA at CeMIS: [email protected]
• Maria Pomohaci: Maria is an international student who has just completed her MA and is about to start her PhD: [email protected]

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