MA in Political Science

NAME AND GOALS OF THE PROGRAMME

Name of the Programme: Graduate academic studies of Political Science and International Relations

Students can choose one of two course routes: Political Science or International Studies

The concept of the studies has been harmonised with the highest European and global academic standards in terms of providing qualifications in the field of political science and international studies. By enrolment at the second cycle academic studies, candidates are offered an opportunity for a wide range of jobs and positions in public administration, government bodies and agencies, and organisations in demand of such profiles upon obtaining their respective degrees. In addition, they are equipped for permanent education, self-education, and practical application of the knowledge and skills gained, as well as for individual and professional development.
The primary goal of the proposed curriculum is reflected in developing critical, analytical, interdisciplinary, and creative thinking, along with abilities of making judgments, conclusions, and presentations on one’s own. This is followed by developing consciousness of one’s own ethnic, religious, local, regional, and cultural idenitty within the context of European and global integrations, as well as by providing theoretical background and practical knowledge of all kinds of jobs in institutions that hire specialists in the field.

MODEL OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME

The Study Programmes offers a 4+1+3 design of the three cycles of academic studies.

SCIENTIFIC FIELD OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME

The second-cycle academic studies of Political Science and International Studies are positioned within the domain of Social Science and in the scientific field of Political Science. The narrow scientific fields covered by these studies are as follows: Political Theory, Political System, Political Communications, International Relations, and Security

TYPE OF STUDIES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Type of studies: graduate academic studies

Learning outcomes: Political Science Studies – Ability to perform tasks in the field of Political Science on one’s own and in a highly professional manner, to competently analyse political phenomena and relations, and to make analytical judgment that improve the work of government or local administration, Knowledge to apply the highest standards of the contemporary political practice. Developed professional competences required by contemporary state-political systems, with special concern for management and political management positions and for representative positions at both state and local levels.

Learning outcomes: International Studies – Acquiring general and specific knowledge from the theory and practice of legal, political, cultural, historical, and other areas that enable students to perform tasks within the field of International Relations with competence. Ability to make connections between the knowledge and skills gained and to apply them witihn a profession. Acquiring intellectual abilities that enable students to develop and design programmes for improving professional work on their own, as well as to apply them.

ACADEMIC TITLE

According to the Decision on Usage and Acquisition of Academic Titles of the Government of the Republic of Srpska (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska, issue 111/09), of 16 December 2009, the following titles are obtained upon finishing the second-cycle academic studies at the Study Programme of Political Science:

MA in Political Science – course route of Political Science Studies
MA in International Studies – course route of International Studies

SECOND CYCLE STUDIES CURRICULUM

Course Route: Political Science Studies

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
1	1.	Public Policies	M	4	2	0	8
	2.	Contemporary Democracy Theories	M	4	2	0	8
	3.	Globalisation Theories	M	4	2	0	8
	4.	Management in Politics	E	3	2	0	6
	4.	Political Relations of Balkan Countries	E	3	2	0	6
				15	8	0	30

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
2	1.	Common Life Policies	M	4	2	0	8
	2.	Political Relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina	M	4	2	0	8
	3.	Master’s Thesis	M				14
				8	4	0	30

Course Route: International Studies

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
1	1.	Diplomacy	M	4	2	0	8
	2.	International Law	M	4	2	0	8
	3.	International Politics	M	4	2	0	8
	4.	International Security	E	3	2	0	6
	4.	Political Relations of Balkan Countries	E	3	2	0	6
				15	7	0	30

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
2	1.	International Organisations	M	4	2	0	8
	2.	Diplomatic and Consular Law	M	4	2	0	8
	3.	Master’s Thesis	M				14
				8	4	0	30

Course Route: Local Self-Government

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
1	1.	Methodology of Scientific Research	M	3	3	0	7
	2.	Local Self-Government System	M	4	2	0	7
	3.	Research Paper in the Area of Local Democracy	M				10
	4.	European Regionalism	E	3	2	0	6
	4.	Participative Democracy in Local Self-Government	E	3	2	0	6
				10	7	0	30

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
2	1.	Local Self-Government Economics	M	2	2	0	5
	2.	Management in Local Self-Government	M	2	2	0	5
	3.	Research Paper in the Area of Local Self-Government	M				10
	4.	Master’s Thesis	M				10
				4	4	0	30

Course Route: Public Administration and Public Policies

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
1	1.	Methodology of Scientific Research	M	3	3	0	7
	2.	Public Administration System	M	4	2	0	7
	3.	Research Paper in the Area of Public Administration	M	0	0	6	10
	4.	Public Administration and European Integrations	E	3	2	0	6
	4.	European Administrative Domain	E	3	2	0	6
							30

Semester		Subject	Status	Lecture classes	Exercise classes	Additional activities	ECTS
2	5.	Public Administration Financing	M	2	2	0	5
	6.	Public Policies and Public Policies Analysis	M	2	2	0	5
	7.	Research Paper in the Area of Public Policies	M	0	0	6	10
	7.	Master’s Thesis	M	0	0	10	10
							30

METHODOLOGY AND DURATION OF STUDIES

The studies are realised as a full-time activity, organised at the seat of the Faculty and following the 4+1+3 design, with the first cycle lasting for 4 (four years), that is, 8 (eight semesters), and the second one for 1 (one) year, that is, 2 (two) semesters. The latter figure refers to the third cycle (doctoral studies), to be launched soon.

With regard to the teaching process, there are following forms applied: regular lectures and practical exercises. Upon completion of the first cycle, students can choose between two study courses at the second cycle: Political Science Studies and International Studies, each featuring five mandatory subjects and one elective, as well as the final paper, on the basis of which candidates choose their field of expertise.

Students at this study programme are obliged to actively participate in lecture and exercise classes, to submit essays, seminar papers, and research projects, as well as to give presentations and be engaged in other academic activities, for which they are awarded points. At the beginning of a semester, the professor in charge of the subject introduces topics and issues, methodology and forms of work, and credits awarded to particular activities that make up of the overall subject workload. The passing grades range from 6 to 10 in a 5-10 grading system, the former being the lowest and the latter the highest grades. With regard to the aforementioned, the grades of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are awarded for the respective point ranges: 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, and 91-100. The grade of 5, marking a failed exam, is awarded for scores below 51.

The second-cycle studies last for 2 (two) semesters. In order for an MA in Political Science Studies or an MA in International Studies to be acquired, candidates are required to complete the 60-ECTS workload, to pass all the exams, and to publicly defend their master’s thesis.

A researh paper in the field of public policies is mandatory over the course of the studies.

MA in Political Science

MA in Political Science

MA in Political Science

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