INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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1 Norwegian University of Life Sciences Department of International Environment and Development Studies and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Options and requirements August, 2012

2 Programme Content The program will provide the students with the necessary theoretical foundations to understand and analyse international relations today in terms of diplomacy, development and environmental sustainability. The master dissertation will enable students to engage in independent research in a topic of their own choosing. Programme Diversity The master programme is international in two ways: The curriculum covers topics that are relevant globally, and our students come from all parts of the world. The programme is also interdisciplinary for two reasons: It consists of courses in different disciplines, and we admit students with a broad disciplinary background into the programme. The high student diversity both in terms of nationality and academic background may create challenges for both students and teachers. We trust, however, that this diversity will be seen as an opportunity for learning. Course Programme Requirements The master programme in International Relations requires 45 credits of compulsory core courses and a 30-credit research thesis. The remaining 45 credits, needed to bring the plan up to the minimum limit of 120 credits, can be chosen among courses at UMB or other universities. A master programme must contain at least 30 credits of 300-level courses. Maximum 10 credits can be from 100-level courses. The combination of compulsory and elective courses should give the study plan a coherent, thematic focus. Any courses given by Noragric can be selected by the student. Courses taken at other UMB departments or other universities must be approved by Noragric. Designing the Study Plan The student should design a two-year study plan as early as possible. Designing a plan and registering for courses and exams are done on the online UMB StudentWeb at: Note that the compulsory courses have already been entered. Elective courses must be added. Changes can be made later. Students can take more than the minimum limit of 120 credits. However, the student must specify which courses shall be included in the master programme. Additional courses will appear on a separate grade transcript. 1

3 Compulsory Courses Three courses and the Master Thesis are compulsory for all students: EDS203 Introduction to International relations 5 EDS312 Research Method 15 (autumn + spring) EDS360 Conflict and Development 10 EDS374 International Relations Theory 15 (autumn + spring) M30-NOR Master Thesis 30 The compulsory courses have the following three aims: Provide a foundation in International Relations (EDS360, EDS374). Provide students with a broad knowledge in research methods (EDS312). Students should be familiar with research methods beyond their own thesis research, including both quantitative and qualitative methods. Although listed as compulsory, the courses can be replaced if similar competence can be documented. Students need approval from the department to be exempted from compulsory courses. To do so, the student should complete the study plan for the master programme, state the reasons for replacing compulsory courses and submit the plan and explanation to the study coordinator. Elective Courses Students are free to choose elective courses from Noragric s portfolio of courses. We do also encourage students to take courses at other UMB departments or other universities. Courses taken outside Noragric need to be approved by the department. To obtain approval, submit a complete proposal to the department study coordinator. The following courses are within the International Relations portfolio at UMB and Nupi EDS371 EDS372 EDS373 EDS374 EDS375 EDS376 EDS377 EDS378 EDS379 Introduction to Intelligence and International Relations 5 credits Current Topics in Security Studies Piracy and International Relation Compulsory course in international relations theory State Formation: Historical Issues and Contemporary Debates Religion and Politics Foreign Policy Afghanistan and Pakistan, global and local politics International Political Economy. Several courses will also be tutored instead of lectured, information will be provided on these courses in EDS 203 2

4 Other classes are also highly popular amongst students although not being directly in the portfolio as EDS270 EDS335 EDS347 LNG240 AOS 230 AOS 210 Development Aid and Politics Advanced Readings in Development studies International Environmental Governance Academic Writing Organizational and leadership psychology Political Structures and Processes Independent Study If one or more students want to study a subject in which UMB does not offer any courses, the student may opt for an independent study of 5, 10 or 15 credits. This can be arranged in collaboration with a professor according to the guidelines given by the form: _agreement.pdf. In the International Relations programme, at least three individual study options will be arranged annually in topics determined by students and teachers. Internships UMB/NUPI encourages the students to take internships. Internships might be taken with institutions as various embassies, and with aid organizations, as well as human rights organizations and other international institutions UMB and NUPI has contacts with several institutions and the students might contact the program leader for information. However it is the student s responsibility to establish contract to get an internship, which also has to be approved by UMB in order to gain credits. A contract must be signed by both student and program responsible and submitted to the study coordinator for the internship to be valid for accreditation. The following options are available: 6 weeks 15 page report 5 credits 12 weeks 20 page report 10 credits A one month internship might be approved on a case to case basis. The student will then be expected to deliver a 15 page report. The reports follow the normal academic referencing system. It is recommended that the students do internships during the period June-February during the third semester of study. Transfer of Credits Course credits can be transfered from other universities into the IR programme. To apply, fill in the form below and submit the application to the study coordinator: 3

5 Sample Plan One sample plan is provided below. Please ask the study administrator for the M-IR should you wish to discuss other possibilities. The Compulsory courses in the plan are timetable secured, i.e., the students will not risk overlapping lectures or seminars. Combining other courses may lead to timetable conflicts. International Relations Year Semester Code Course Title Credits August block EDS203 Introduction to International Relations 5 Autumn parallel EDS312 Research Methods 5 EDS374 International Relations Theory 10 EDS372 Current Topics in Security Studies / / 2014 Sum autumn semester 30 January block EDS371 Intelligence Studies and International Relations 5 Spring parallel June block August block Autumn parallel EDS312 Research Methods (cont.) 10 EDS360 Conflict and Development 10 EDS374 International Relations Theory (cont.) 5 EDS376 Religion, politics and Islam 10 Sum spring semester 30(40) Internship EDS373 Piracy and international relations 5 LNG240 Academic writing 10 M30-NO Thesis (fieldwork) 10 Sum autumn semester 25 January block EDS325 Political economy 5 Spring parallel EDS 377 Foreign Policy 10 M30-NO Thesis (writing) 20 Sum spring semester Font codes for courses: Bold: Compulsory courses Regular: Elective courses specific to the sample plan Italic: Suggested, but not included in the sum of credits MASTER THESIS Students are free to select reseach topics for their master theses provided the availability of supervisors. We do, however, encouraged students to link their research to ongoing collaboration between Noragric and partner institutions. Each student will be allocated a supervisor and is entitled to 30 hours of supervision. The supervision should preferably be given by a department staff member. A co-supervisor at a different department or even at another university may also be arranged. Students may also transfer their thesis reseach to another department at UMB. In such cases, Noragric has no responsibility for the thesis work. 4

6 Students and supervisors must sign a contract for the master thesis work. The contract form can be found at: Students can choose to do either a 30-credit or a 60-credit thesis. Most students do the 30- credit option. Contrary to previous years, a 60-credit option does not require a special curriculum. However, a special curriculum of 5, 10 or 15 credits can be arranged upon request from the student. A special curriculum is similar to an independent study, except it is directly linked to the thesis research. A contract form for special curriculum can be found at: Noragric master students can apply for a field research allowance of NOK 8,000. To qualify for the fieldwork allowance, the student must have earned 60 credits during the two first semesters and have the research proposal approved by the supervisor. The application must also include a budget. Students writing a thesis in the field of freedom of expression, human rights and democracy can apply for one of five research grants, NOK 10,000 each, offered by the The Freedom of Expression Foundation, Oslo. Application forms are available in Fronter under Master Students Preparations for thesis research should follow to the following schedule for the autumn 2012 and spring 2014: 1. Autumn semester: Students are encouraged to contact staff members directly to discuss potential research topics. Staff members reseach topics are presented in Classfronter; Master Students ; Staff Topics. 2. September: Staff members present research ideas and opportunities in a meeting with all students. 3. October: Students submit a preliminary research title. 4. November: Students are formally allocated a supervisor and sign contract for master thesis and, if relevant, sign contract for special curriculum. 5. Spring semester: Students write their research proposals with the assistance of their supervisors. Proposals must be submitted in Classfronter. 6. May/June: Student research proposals must be approved by the supervisor before the student leaves for field work. The supervisors communicate the approval by clicking Approved in the Comments field in Fronter (Master Students ; Research Proposals ). 7. Field research support grant (NOK 8,000) will be paid to the student contingent on the supervisors s approval of the proposal in Classfronter. 8. Field work is normally done in October, November and December. January can also be spent for field work. 9. Students return to UMB either around January 1 (for the January block) or around February 1 (for the spring parallel). REGISTRATION AND SUBMISSION OF THESIS Students must register for M30-NOR (30-credit thesis) in the spring semester Deadline for handing in the thesis will be May 15, The deadline can be extended by three months based on a written application for medical reasons (doctor s declaration is needed) or for other documented reason beyond the student s control. Students who cannot meet the May 15 deadline for any other reason, should withdraw their registration for the 5

7 spring semester (deadline for withdrawal and application for extension is April 15) and register again for the autumn semester 2014 instead. The new deadline will then be December 15. The student may, however, hand in the thesis earlier than December. THESIS DEFENSE The student and supervisor decide a date for thesis defense. During the defense, the student will give a 20-minutes presentation of the thesis research and answer questions from the external examiner and the supervisor. If the student has done a Special Curriculum, he/she will also be examined in the subject after the thesis defense. FIELD COURSES The field course EDS384 can be taken at SUA Tanzania ( and EDS387 at the Institute for Development Studies, Jaipur, India ( A minimum of 10 students must attend for the course to be arranged at each location. Teaching starts in the first week of August and ends in the last week of September. Students attend lectures by a wide range of experienced staff from universities, government agencies and nongovernmental development organizations and gain experience in the use of research methods. Several field trips will give students the opportunity to interview urban and rural people, government staff and NGO employees. The students cover a tuition fee and cost for room and board: Tanzania (NOK) India (NOK) Tuition fee 10,000 10,000 Room and board 5,000 3,600 Sum 15,000 13,600 Students supported by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) will receive parts of the expenses as a stipend. Noragric will cover the same amount for foreign students who are not eligible for the support from Lånekassen, i.e., 70 % of the tuition fee. The students are offered a service arrangement in Tanzania and India (airport pick-up, hostel lodging, meals, field transport, etc.). Students are individually responsible for purchasing air tickets, arranging vaccination and applying for visa. Information will be given by Noragric. EXAMS AND GRADES Courses can have quite different rules for exams and grading. Some courses have only a final written or oral exam, while others may base grades on the basis of one or more term papers submitted during the semester. Some courses may also have compulsory activities, for instance seminar attendance or class presentations. Students must read the online course description carefully to make sure they fulfill all requirements: Courses at Noragric: Courses at all departments: 6

8 Note that the online version of the course catalog provides the current course descriptions. If a student finds a grade unexpected or unreasonable, he/she may ask the course teacher for an explanation. The teacher may respond either orally or in writing. If the student still finds the grade unreasonable, he/she may send a written request for a re-assessment of the exam papers to the Study Office in the main administration. Use the form: A new internal and external examiner will then be appointed. The new grade may be better or worse and will be final. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Student Information Centre (Studentenes informasjonstorg, SIT; ([email protected]) answers general questions regarding studies at UMB. Noragric s study coordinator for the IR programme is Nicole Rezende ([email protected] Noragric building room 106B). Studies at UMB are governed by a set of rules and regulations than can be found at UMB s web pages at Among the rules and regulations, students should specifically observe: o UMB s Study Regulations at o UMB s Exam Regulations at UMB s academic calendar can be found at Forms and templates needed by students can be found on the web page Students are responsible for their own registration for courses and exams. Students who do not register for exams within the specified deadlines will not be allowed to take the exams. Students, who decide not to participate in an exam, must withdraw their registration before the deadline (see the Academic Calendar). 7

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