Riga Stradins University Faculty of European Studies Department of Political Science Academic Study Program Degree of Master of Social Sciences in International Relations

	Master Degree Program „International Relations”: plan for 2007/2008 academi year (second year of studies)
		No.		Subject					Category		CP		Volume		Lectures		Seminars			1. semester: 18 week										2. semester: 18 week
																				Volume							Test		C)	Volume													Test					CP
																				Week			Semester							Week			Semester
																				Lect.		Sem.	Lect.		Sem.					Lect.		Sem.	Lect.						Sem.
		1		Qualitative and Guantitative Research Methods					A		5		40		20		20						20		20		Exam		5
		2		Regionalization in the Contex of EU Integration*					B		5		40		20		20						20		20		Exam		5
		3		China in Global Contemporary Processes*					B		5		40		20		20						20		20		Exam		5
		4		Germany in the Context of EU Integration *					B		5		40		20		20						20		20		Exam		5
		5		The New EU Neighbours: Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus *					B		5		40		20		20						20		20		Exam		5
		6		Master Thesis					A		20																																Defense					20
				Total							40																		20																			20
				* Student takes 4 B modules

Approved

by Riga Stradins University

Senate meeting

2006, 16 May

Protocol No.1-2/16.05.06

Academic Study Program, Degree of Master of Social Sciences in

International Relations


Study Program: International Relations
Profile (specialisation): International Relations
Duration and type of studies: 4 semesters, full-time study (2 years)
Qualification obtained: Master of Social Sciences

Description of the Study Program
The topicality of the Master’s Study Program is determined by trends in contemporary European and word’s politics, changes in the world’s political situation, integration of the countries which have regained independence after the collapse of the social system into global politics at a new quality level, necessity to resolve practical problems of Latvia’s domestic and foreign affairs grounding them on the results of the theoretical research. The actuality of the Program is emphasized by the necessity to develop a stable political international and regional system, as well as the strategic aim of the Baltic States including Latvia is to use political and economic opportunities provided by the European Union and NATO.
Requirements for the applicants – diploma on the Degree of Bachelor of Social Sciences. Applicants are selected on the basis of competition. The total score of the competition consists of the average mark from the diploma on the Degree of Bachelor, mark in English and evaluation of the essay where the applicants are to express their positive motivation about acquiring the Study Program and obtaining the Degree of Master in International Relations
Aim of the Master’s Study Program – to prepare highly qualified specialists in international relations who would be able to do scientific research and make analyses and evaluation of the international processes at both global and regional level.

Tasks of the Master’s Study Program:

• 
  to give theoretical knowledge on tendencies and influences of the development of international politics;
  
• 
  to give knowledge on actual problems of political economy of the European Union and the world;
  
• 
  to give knowledge on the defining process of international politics in Latvia, comparison of this process with the European and the world countries;
  
• 
  to evaluate Latvia’s and other Baltic States’ place in the EU political and social space in future;
  
• 
  to develop skills to do independent scientific research grounded on modern methodical and methodological principles;
  
• 
  to develop critical thinking and ability to foresee the development of political processes, develop skills for analysis of alternative situations;
  
• 
  to prepare for doctoral studies, enhancing positive motivation for obtaining PhD degree
  

The Master’s Study Program will be realised in 4 semesters (2 academic years). It consists of theoretical courses and the Master’s Paper. To graduate successfully students have to attend all theoretical courses, pass examinations, work out and defend required projects, course papers and the Master’s Paper. For the latter the 4th semester is envisaged.

The teaching process is organized according to module system, implying students’ active independent work and involvement of the famous Latvian and foreign experts of the field. For each module student receives 5 credit points (the total volume of a module is 80 hours - 40 hours for tutorials and 40 hours of independent work). The total volume of the Master’s Study Program is 80 credit points including 40 credit points for core subjects and 20 credit points for electives. 20 credit points are received for working out and defending the Master’s Paper. The theoretical part of the Master’s Program focuses on the fundamental theories and research in the field of politics as well as mastering of latest cognitions and discourses in politics. The Master’s Paper is based on research, it must be original and discuss a novelty in the chosen branch of science as well as comprise independent scientific conclusions and suggestions.
Program is worked out at the FES Department of Politics

Program is worked out by Dr. Andris Sprūds

Approved

by Riga Stradins University

Senate meeting

2006, 16 May

Protocol No.1-2/16.05.06

RIGA STRADINS UNIVERITY

Faculty of European Studies
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACADEMIC MASTER’S STUDY PROGRAMS

1. 
   Applicants for studies in Riga Stradins University (further – RSU) Faculty of
   

European Studies are admitted in following Academic Master’s Study

Programs to obtain Degree of Master’s in Social Sciences:

• 
  Political Science;
  
• 
  Sociology;
  
• 
  International Relations.
  

2. 
   Studies at the RSU Faculty of European Studies are accomplished in accordance
   

with the Contract about Studies.

3. 
   To be eligible for studies in Academic Master’s Study programs in Faculty
   

of European Studies the applicants must be citizens and residents of the Republic of Latvia, citizens of the European Union and their children having the Degree of Bachelor of Social sciences in Sociology and Communication Science who have completed the competition and signed the Contract about Studies.

4. 
   Applicants having the Degree of Bachelor in Human Sciences or another speciality of the Social Sciences not mentioned in the Admission Requirement are obliged to complete the preparatory course and entrance examination to be eligible to apply for the Master’s Study Program.
   

5. 
   Applicants from foreign countries must have obtained education equal to the Degree of Bachelor in Latvia. Relevance of diploma is determined by the experts of the Academic Information Centre.
   

6. 
   Applicants for the Master’s Study program at the Faculty of the European Studies have to submit the following documents in the state language (documents in foreign languages must be legalised according to laws and regulations (5^th October,1961 Convention on the Abolishment of the Claim on Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents) and must be added to the regulations (22^nd August, 2000 Rules of the Cabinet of Minister No 291 “Procedure of the Approval of the Translations of Documents in the State Language”) according to the procedure):
   

1. 
   an application to the Rector (on the form);
   
2. 
   a copy of the passport (the original must be shown);
   
3. 
   four identical photos (3x4 cm);
   
4. 
   a copy of the Academic Master’s Diploma (the original must be shown) and the copy of the appendix of the diploma (the original must be shown);
   
5. 
   applicants having the Degree of Bachelor in Human Sciences or another speciality of the Social Sciences not included in the Admission Requirement – the document of the completion of the Preparatory Course;
   
6. 
   for orphans - a copy of the orphan’s certification from Ministry of the Welfare (the original must be shown);
   
7. 
   for militaries - the copy of the military service certificate (the original must be shown) if the applicant is retired less than two years ago.
   

7. 
   When applying for the studies the passport must be shown by its holder and the entrance payment at the registration of documents must be done at the cash-desk of the RSU. The entrance payment is determined by the Instruction of the Rector.
   

8. 
   Submitted documents are returned to the applicants who are not matriculated according to the motivated application of the applicant.
   

9. 
   Entrance payment is not returned to the applicants.
   

10. 
    Selection of applicants to the Academic Master’s Study Programs in the Political Science and Sociology is held as the competition procedure.
    

11. 
    Total score consists of:
    

1. 
   the average mark of the Bachelor’s diploma;
   
2. 
   evaluation of one of the foreign language knowledge (English,
   

German, French) – the international language test completed within

last two years or examination mark from the appendix of

Bachelor’s diploma;

3. 
   the assessment of the entrance interview is scored in 10 points.
   

12. 
    Time of the documents registration and interviews is determined by the RSU Admission Committee.
    

13. 
    Applicants who have received the low assessment in the interview (less than 4 points) are not matriculated.
    

14. 
    Applicants have right to submit the notice of appeal on the day of learning the results or within three days after it.
    

15. 
    Appeals are considered in accordance with RSU Procedure Description No 4 – Consideration of the Appeals of the Applicants. Complaint on the Appeal Committee must be submitted to the Rector (final decision).
    

16. 
    Results of the competition are announced within one week after the end of submitting process of the admission documents.
    

17. 
    If the score are identical those applicants who have the highest evaluation in the interview will be selected.
    

18. 
    Applicants are admitted after having passed the entrance examination, standing the competition and signed the Contract about Studies.
    

19. 
    Admission Committee has right to announce the additional admission in the Academic Master’s Study Programs in August and September 2006.
    

20. 
    All questions concerned the admission which are not included in the Regulations of the Republic of Latvia or Admission Requirements are considered by the Admission Committee of RSU.