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

6. Comparison of the Master’s Study Program with the similar programs of the foreign universities

Comparison with the Master’s study program of the University of Birmingham. University of Birmingham is one of the most famous social sciences research and teaching centres in the Great Britain. Russian and Eastern European teaching centre of University of Birmingham offers academic Master’s study program in social sciences “International Relations”. The objective of the study program is to train highly qualified specialists who are competent in international relations. One academic year is envisaged for the realization of the program. The volume of the program is 180 credit points. Students are offered compulsory courses in international politics and history, methodological research courses and compulsory electives. The study program includes courses in international problems. 60 credit points are scheduled for working out and defending the Master’s Paper .
Master’s study program for the students of the Faculty of European Studies is partly alike in its content with that of the University of Birmingham’s. However, it includes courses which deal with the actualities of Latvia and other Eastern European countries in aspects of regional policy - Russia and the European Union, Germany’s politics, regionalization, The European Union, The EU and its new member states.
Comparison with Master’s study program in Central European University. Central European University is one of the most prestigious universities in the central Europe. Its Faculty of Political Sciences offers Master’s study program “International Relations and European studies”. The aim of the study program is firstly, to train lecturers in international relations and, secondly, specialists who are planning to become a policy makers or a state institution experts in their own countries. The length of the training course is 10 months. The volume of the program is 32 credit points. A part of the courses include basic subjects (they comprise analytical and empirical base of the program). According to the program, the courses of theoretical analysis are followed by empirical ones on global, regional and home politics. Similar to the RSU Master’s Study Program, also in the study program of Central European University in the first semester students develop profound theoretical, methodological and analytical skills. In Budapest University the main accent is on the theoretical aspects of the international relations and analysis of empirical materials with the focus on interdisciplinary approach integrating research and teaching standards of the USA and Europe with the needs of students from the post-communist countries. In the second semester, students focus on the empirical issues. 8 credit points are scheduled for working out and defending the Master’s Paper.
The Master’s study program of the Faculty of the European studies to the great extent corresponds to the Master’s study program of the Central European University. Although the CEU offers a wider range of courses the methodological and theoretical courses included into the programme of the Faculty of European studies are more detailed and profound than those in Central European University. Electives are directed to the problem analysis of the Baltic States and the regions actual to Latvia.

University	Title	Basic subjects	Duration
University of Birmingham	International Relations	Research methodologies; Theories of International Relations; Research courses on the Issues of the Global Politics	1 year
Central European University	International Relations and European Studies	Research methodologies; Theories of International Relations; Regional Research Courses of Central Europe	10 months
RSU Faculty of European Studies	International Relations	Research Methodologies; Theoretical Courses of International Relations; Courses on Regional Problems of the Baltic states and Latvia	2 years

7. Students of the Master’s Study Program

Entrance to the Master’s Degree courses in International Relations is open to graduates with a Degree of Bachelor of Social Sciences. The applicants having the Degree of Bachelor of other specialities of the social sciences have to complete special RSU Preparatory Courses designed for the applicants of the Master’s Study Programme and have to submit a certificate. Selection of the candidates for the Master’s study programme “International Relations” (applications for admission will be considered) is held as a competition procedure. The total score consists of the average mark from Bachelor’s Diploma, mark in the English Language and the evaluation of the essay where the candidates are supposed to give positive motivation with regard to the acquisition of the programme and obtaining the academic Degree of Master in “International Relations”. Foreign students must have education equalised to the Degree of Bachelor in Latvia. The correspondence of diploma is determined by the experts of the Academic Information Centre.

In 2006, fifteen students were admitted 5 of which had obtained Degree of Bachelor in International Relations and 4 in Political Science. 8 students have graduated from the RSU. The rest of the applicants had graduated from the University of Latvia, Vidzeme Higher School and Ventspils Higher School. Thus the University offers learning opportunities to the graduates from different universities of Latvia. Majority of them employed in the governmental institutions admit that the knowledge acquired at the Master’s Study Program has enhanced their professional growth. Students’ suggestions have been taken into consideration in the process of development of the course content and promoting the quality of the study process.
In order to become aware of the students’ interests and to work towards the improvement of learning process an enquiry was carried out on both the study process in general and the particular teachers and courses. Thus the feedback of the students is ensured. At the end of each module students are surveyed in order to find out how successful the teaching has been and to identify directions that need improvement. The results obtained are analysed and they are taken into consideration in the process of organisation of the study process.
The students are satisfied with the module system. As an advantage of it the students have pointed out the examinations which take place at the end of the module. It has been stressed that taking the examinations at the end of the semester is an ineffective way of knowledge testing since students do learning twice a year. Applying the module system excludes such practice and students are bound to learn throughout the year. In addition, they get used to take exams regularly. This system prevents the big stress which is typical during the examination period. The module system envisages that full attention is devoted to each subject and it is acquired intensively. Students consider that the module system ensures more effective learning.
Another reason why the module system is considered to be effective is the clear structure of the course and the course requirement (provided in the course description). It aims to develop a habit of doing regular learning by acquiring the material gradually. In addition, the acquisition of the new material takes place independently. As an advantage can also be regarded the opportunity to learn the subject content fast and the course is not dragged out. The subject content is concise and it is easy to relate it with other subjects. Each sixth week a new topic is started and it helps to maintain the students’ constant interest in studies and avoids routine. Besides, the module system allows an involvement of foreign teachers for a short period (2-5 weeks).
The drawbacks of the module system are the intensified study process and lack of time. Occasionally students point out that a module is too short period of time for subject acquisition and learning takes place in a hurry. Another minus being mention by students is the big amount of materials that need to be covered in a short period of time.
According to the 2006/2007 survey on subject quality of the Master’s Study Program “International Relations” the courses and teachers have been assessed positively (6.4 points in 7 point system). Almost all students think that teachers encourage them to express themselves, students admit that teachers are understanding and interested. Several teachers have been praised for creative approach in teaching the subject matter. Also learning environment – rooms, equipment have been assessed as sufficient and satisfactory.
8. The academic staff, their qualification and professionalism

The realization of the Programme is guaranteed by the participation of highly qualified specialists in the Study Program.

The academic staff consists of 10 teachers. 7 Doctors of Science including one professor, two associated professors, the rest of teachers are assistant professors un lecturers with long working experience. The total number of the teachers involved in the Study Program on permanent basis is 7 which makes 70% of all teachers involved in the Study Program. On the whole the teachers have academic background, expertise and experience that allow them to work in the Study Program.
Teachers do researches on regular basis in their fields of science. Their academic activities also include participation in seminars and conferences in Latvia and in foreign countries, publication of articles in Latvian and foreign serials as well as participation in the scientific projects which are financed by foreign institutions or Scientific Council of Latvia and ministries.
Teachers of the Faculty of European Studies involved in the Master’s Study Program do research in following fields:

• 
  Study on the international politics of Latvia, the Baltic States and the EU (Bleiere, Sprūds, Spolītis)
  
• 
  International economics and globalization (Bērziņš)
  
• 
  Study on Russia’s foreign policy and evaluation of Latvia and Russia relationship (Sprūds)
  
• 
  Evaluation of Europe’s new neighbour states (Sprūds)
  
• 
  Theoretical aspects and defining of concepts in International Relations (Bleiere)
  
• 
  Improvement of research methodology in Social Sciences (Kreituse)
  
• 
  Development trends of China (Staburova)
  
• 
  The influence of integration in the EU on the consolidation of democratisation (Bleiere, Kreituse, Spolītis)
  

There is awareness of the necessity for highly qualified and competent university level academic staff in order to reach the aims set by the program and to ensure acquisition of necessary research skills, theoretical knowledge and competences. Politics of the selection, training and development of academic staff for the next six years includes regular participation in the scientific research, in the seminars and conferences. Teachers who haven’t obtained the PhD (Spolītis, Bērziņš, Svece) are studying in the Doctoral Programs (University of Helsinki and the University of Latvia). In 2008 Spolītis

Other improvements include: increasing the number of permanent academic staff of the Department of Political Science; meaningful involvement of new doctors in the academic and research work; improvement and variation of teaching methods; visiting colleagues classes and promotion of communication on pedagogical issues among the teachers of the Department; ensuring the participation of the academic staff of the Department in methodological and scientific seminars outside the RSU.
Information about qualifications, academic degrees of the academic staff and the subjects they teach can be found in their Curriculum Vitae.

9. Financial Sources and technical and methodological provision

Studies at the Master’s Program of the RSU FES Department of Political Science are paid studies. A Tuition fee for academic year 2006/2007 is Ls 850. As the expenses of the realisation of the Master’s Program are supposed to grow so is the tuition fee of the Study Program: in academic year 2007/2008 – Ls 950, in year 2008/2009 Ls 1045.

The University ensures students with a well – organized study process: well-equipped classrooms, up-to-date library, modern computers and the Internet Classrooms. The library has a large book and serial collection in social sciences to support the course and research needs of students (approximately 600 items relating to the international relations and political science). However, there is a necessity to increase the number of materials available for students in the library. There is also access to a wide range of international scientific serials which partly compensates the limited number of books. Internet is broadly used among all scientific sources. Electronic information data bases like EBSCO and ProQuest are available for students. Information Centre also provides computers which are located at the library. The Information Centre opens at 9.00 and closes at 21.00. Apart from that there are also 3 Internet Classrooms with 37 computers. Teachers use materials from the Internet to prepare lectures for the courses and include the Internet sources in the list of compulsory readings. Using Internet sources is particularly important in analytical courses as it allows to bind theories with the newest empirical data.
Classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors and whiteboards. Video equipment is available on teachers’ request. Students use computers of the Information centre that is located at the library of RSU. European standard library and the informative resources on politics, economy, business management, and law are available there. Academic staff of the Department does scientific research on regular basis and takes active part in different projects with scientific and practical disposition involving the students of the Master’s study programme.
Necessary improvements include: to increase the number of computers accessible to students in the Information Centre and Computer Class as the member of students increase year by year, to improve cooperation between the library and staff lecturers in ordering new teaching and scientific materials, to cooperate actively with different international funds to provide lecturers and students with indispensable modern scientific and teaching materials.

10. External relations

External relations in Latvia and internationally are regarded as a crucial and inevitable element in the development of the content and quality of the International Relations Program. Cooperation at individual and institutional level has been carried out. Teachers from other universities (UL, Academy of Police, ‘Turība”) are involved in the Program. There is exchange of information among the universities on the scientific events where the students of the Program can take part. Department of Political Science on the whole and Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs in particular have extended cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry and RSU have concluded an agreement on cooperation. Common events take place between the institutions, a considerable number of students continue their professional careers in the Ministry and RSU teachers deliver classes to the new diplomats of the Ministry.

International cooperation has also been carried out. A wide range of visiting scholars from the foreign countries have delivered lectures on the topics less known like cooperation for development (Dr. Helen O’Neill,University of Dublin), economic development (Dr. Elmar Rompcyk, head of the Eberth Fund in the Baltic States, Germany), contacts of civilisations (Dr.Zahid Bukhari, University of Georgetown, USA) trends of development of the regions outside Europe (Dr.Tanju Tosun EGE University, Turkey). Both Students and teachers take active part in the international conferences and EU exchange programs. There is an advancement of raising awareness of the opportunities for cooperation between the Latvia and EU in the Master’s study programs of political science and international relations.
Thus particular areas of improvement are identified: it is necessary for the Department of Political Science to develop cooperation with relative institutions abroad to compare and improve the Study Program, to further involvement of qualified foreign specialists into the teaching process, to further exchange of students and lecturers from the RSU with foreign universities and practical studies in the equivalent programs, to promote cooperation of the teachers and doctoral students of the Study Program and institutions abroad in projects with scientific disposition.

11. 
    Development Plan of the Study Program
    

There are several activities designed for the successful development of the Master’s Study Program “International Relations”:

1. 
   Ensure knowledge on the theories of political science and political processes.
   

2. 
   Improve the range of pedagogic methods.
   

3. 
   Continue to improve the structure of the Study Program putting particular focus on the subjects which deal with the political processes in the world.
   

4. 
   Continue cooperation with foreign teachers who give lectures on the subjects where there are no teachers in Latvia.
   

5. 
   Facilitate increasing of the number of sources for the course and research needs.
   

6. 
   Ensure participation of the academic staff in various methodological and scientific seminars in RSU and outside it.
   

The Long-term Development Plan comprises several directions of development:

1. 
   Promote teachers and students involvement in various research activities especially those related to political science.
   

2. 
   Introduce research results to the vast audiences
   

3. 
   Enhance students ability to adopt to the changing needs of labour market
   

4. 
   Develop and enlarge scientific and methodological cooperation with universities of Latvia and foreign universities.
   

5. 
   Cooperate with employers in setting the direction of the practical research needs.
   

6. 
   Promote supplementing of the RSU library with indispensable modern scientific and teaching materials on politics and international relations (including the articles written by the teachers).
   

The crucial elements of the development of Latvia in the 21^st century is enhancement of educated labour force, investments in the human resource, motivation of society for acquiring new knowledge to ensure competitive economics in the era of globalisation. The higher education is to meet the increasing needs of the science of politics and international relations which demand a good mastery of the problems of the field. It is necessary for the new specialists to be able to successfully work in both public institutions and organisations of Latvia and private organisations, successfully defend Latvia’s interests in the global political arena and develop productive cooperation. It must be particularly stressed in connection with Latvia’s joining the European Union and NATO. Students must be given opportunity to acquire education, skills and qualification necessary for competitiveness in the labour market. Employers very often regard the skills being too narrow for practical non-standard activities and require competence which comprises individual skills developed through education, ability to work in team, initiative and taking responsibility. It becomes clear that subjective qualities (given by nature and developed by nurture) in combination with academic knowledge will make up the necessary competence of prospective specialists.

III. LIST AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MASTER’S STUDY PROGRAM

Faculty of European Studies

Department of Political Science

The Master’s Study Program „International Relations”

THE LIST OF COURSES

No	Subject	No of credit points	Category	Type of examination
1.	Contemporary Political Theories	5	A	Examination
2.	Theories of International Relations	5	A	Examination
3.	History of International Relations and Diplomacy	5	A	Examination
4.	Evolution of Geopolitical Theories	5	A	Examination
5.	Economic Aspects of Globalization	5	A	Examination
6.	Problems of Development of the Post – Communist States	5	A	Examination
7.	International Law	5	A	Examination
8.	Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods	5	A	Examination
9.	EU – Russia Relations and their Perspectives	5	B	Examination
10.	Regionalization in the Context of the European Integration	5	B	Examination
11.	China in the Contemporary Global Processes	5	B	Examination
12.	Germany in the Processes of the European Integration	5	B	Examination
13.	New Neighbour states of Europe: Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus	5*	B	Examination
14.	Master’s Paper	20	A	Defending

* Students are obliged to attend 4 B modules

Form No. M-3 (3) COORDINATED

Rīga Stradiņš University

Deans’ Council Session on

16 April 2007,

Record No. 29

AFFIRMED

Rīga Stradiņš University

Senate Session on

15 May 2007,

Record No. 1-2/15.05.07