Course summary

This programme is designed for those interested in study of the most challenging problems our world currently faces, such as international conflict and instability, terrorism, climate change, or rapid globalisation. Building on a thorough understanding of international relations theory, it trains you in how to apply and leverage methods and research design to answer the most pressing societal questions of our time. WHY THIS PROGRAMME This programme offers comprehensive training in what international relations has to say about some of the most challenging problems in international politics and equips you with the appropriate methods and a good understanding of research design to analyse political data. The programme draws on expertise in the fields of international relations theory, normative international theory, international security, international organisations, non-state actors, human rights, humanitarian intervention, and international political economy. You will have the opportunity to choose among different pathways to allow you to build specialist knowledge on specific world regions and specific themes. You will have the opportunity to approach the subject from a variety of disciplinary approaches through courses across the School of Social & Political Sciences, School of Law, history and other subjects. You will benefit from a number of research and teaching initiatives which touch on important international issues, including Global Security Roundtable, Global Security Network, Glasgow Centre for International Development, Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration Network; and Glasgow Human Rights Network. You will be able to participate in a 3-day study trip to Brussels to gain first hand experience on how international relations is done in practice and get access to a highly sought after job market. Past visits have included the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO, Scotland House, and the World Bank.You will gain a wide range of transferrable skills, including how to convey complex ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing, or how to analyse problems in international politics to inform the public debate. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE You will take two core and four optional courses. You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and undertake independent research. Core courses INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY RESEARCH DESIGN OR QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS OR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODSOptional courses Your remaining course choices will depend on the pathway you enroll for. The programme currently runs three pathways. Pathway A: MSc International Relations (General Pathway) In this pathway, you will choose at least three courses (60 credits) from the following: FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS GENDER, RACE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS GLOBAL MIGRATIONS: HISTORIES, STRUCTURES, EXPERIENCES. HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION: CIVILIAN OR SOVEREIGNTYINTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS RESEARCH IR - STRATEGY - THEORY Pathway B: MSc International Relations (Global China) In this pathway, you will choose at least two courses (40 credits) from the following: CHINESE CENTURY OF CONFLICT CHINA'S INTERNATIONAL POLITICSCHINA’S PUBLIC DIPLOMACY CHINESE INTERNSHIP (SUMMER) CHINESE POLITICS AND SOCIETY RUSSIA, CHINA, AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF EURASIA You will also have the option to choose one of the two available Chinese language courses (40 credits). Pathway C: MSc International Relations (Global Russia)n this pathway, you will choose at least two courses (40 credits) from the following: CONTESTED STATES: THE CAUCASUS SINCE 1991 DE FACTO STATES IN THE POST-SOVIET SPACE THE GEOPOLITICS OF CENTRAL EUROPE RETHINKING CENTRAL ASIAN SECURITY RUSSIA, CHINA, AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF EURASIA RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY STATEHOOD AND NATIONALITY IN RUSSIA, CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE You will also have the option to choose one of the three available Russian language courses (40 credits).