International Relations and European Integration

The object of the Master's Programme 'International Relations and European Integration' is International Politics and their many facets. It deals with classical  topics of Political Science and International Relations such as research in the fields of Peace- and Conflict, International Political Economy and Foreign Policy Analysis. Besides, this program focuses on the qualification of students in analyzing the different kinds of cooperation in International Organizations like the UN and Supranational Confederations of states such as the European Union.

To get a short insight of what kind of courses students are able to take, see the list below:

Foreign Policy Analysis:

-         Experimental Analysis of Decision Behaviour in Groups

-         Foreign Policy of the German Laender

-         Foreign Cultural and Educational Policy

European Integration:

-         Decision-Making Process in the European Union

-         Ratification of International Treaties

-         Pressure Groups in the European Union

International Political Economy:

-         Political Economy of Financial Markets

-         Pressure Groups and International Organizations

-         Foreign Trade Liberalism in Developing and Post-communist Countries

International Organizations:

-         Credit Policy of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank

-         Theory and Practice of Negotiation

-         External Influences on the Process of Democratization

Peace and Conflict Research:

-         Economical Causes and Consequences of Wars

-         Unilateral Violence in Civil Wars

-         Political Economy of Terrorism

Aim of this programme is to enable students to theoretically analyze the driving power and the logic of development of international conflicts and supranational cooperation. Special emphasis is placed on the provision of knowledge in the field of advanced socio-scientific methods.

The programme qualifies, in particular, for an employment at institutions of the European Union and other International Organizations, international departments or political directorates of Public Authorities, nongovernmental organizations or companies. A substantial number of students will also use the MA as a solid preparation for a doctoral degree in international relations or comparative politics. Core faculty within this programme are Gerald Schneider (co-ordinator), Christoph Knill, Volker Schneider and Markus Freitag. Students who are enrolled in this programme will profit from the close contacts of the core faculty to prestigious institutions throughout Europe and the United States.