International Relations and International Organization

Transcription

1 Faculty of Arts Teaching and Examination Regulations Master s degree programme in International Relations and International Organization Contents 1. General provisions 2. Structure of the degree programme 3. Examinations and final assessment of the degree programme 4. Admission 5. Registration for modules and tutoring 6. Transitional and final provisions Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 1

2 Section 1 General provisions Article 1.1 Applicability These Regulations apply to the teaching and examinations of the Master s degree programme in International Relations and International Organization, hereinafter referred to as the degree programme. The degree programme is provided by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen, hereinafter referred to as the Faculty. Article 1.2 Definitions The following definitions apply to these Regulations: a. Act: the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW; Wet op het Hoger Onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) b. Student: a person enrolled in the university for the purpose of taking modules and/or examinations and a final assessment leading to the conferral of a university degree c. Module: a teaching unit of the degree programme within the meaning of the Act d. Examination: formal rounding off of a module e. Partial examination: if the examination of a module consists of several parts, these are referred to as partial examinations f. Practical: a practical exercise, as referred to in Art of the Act, in one of the following forms: - a thesis - a written paper or draft - research or assignments - participation in a field trip or excursion - completion of a placement - active participation in a tutorial or computer practical - participation in another educational activity designed to teach certain skills g. Follow-on Master s degree programme (doorstroommaster): a Master s degree programme to which access is guaranteed on the basis of a specified Bachelor s degree programme h. Final assessment: the final assessment of the Master s degree programme i. Semester: part of the academic year, either starting on 1 September and ending on a date to be determined by the Board of the University on or around 31 January, or starting on the aforementioned date determined by the Board of the University and ending on 31 August. The other definitions shall have the meaning that the Act ascribes to them. Article 1.3 Aim of the degree programme The aim of the degree programme is to impart an academic education to students in terms of specialized knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of International Relations and International Organization, such that they are able to perform successfully in occupations for which academic knowledge and skills at Master s degree level in the above field are required or preferred. Article 1.4 Type of degree programme The degree programme is full time. Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 2

3 Section 2 Structure of the degree programme Article 2.1 Study load 1. The degree programme has a load of 60 ECTS credits, whereby one credit is the equivalent of 28 hours of. 2. The load is expressed in whole ECTS credits. Article 2.2 Academic training The degree programme followed by a student must contain sufficient elements relating to the academic training of the student. Here is an overview of the learning outcomes of the degree programme. Subject-specific theoretical and practical knowledge The ability to reproduce knowledge concerning the discipline in question; knowledge here is understood to mean 1. advanced knowledge and understanding of key concepts and concept structures in the of international political phenomena at an advanced level 2. advanced knowledge and understanding of the theories, models and approaches in the analysis of international relations and the role of international organizations in these at an advanced level 3. specialized knowledge and understanding of the political and legal or economic aspects of one of the main themes in the programme, namely (a) International Order and Global Governance, (b) International Political Economics, (c) European Cooperation and Integration, (d) Security and Theory of International Relations. Academic and subject-specific skills The ability to successfully apply academic and subject-specific skills. This is understood here to mean: 1. the ability to judge academic research in the field of international relations adequately, independently, critically and logically 2. the ability to report on research at an academic level both orally and in written form 3. mastery of the methods and techniques of academic research specific to the major 4. the ability to independently design, implement and reproduce theoretical or socially relevant research into international-political developments and phenomena where the connections between political and economic or legal aspects are studied 5. the ability to analyse the various aspects of an academic problem and their mutual relationships 6. the ability to conduct work of academic quality within the appropriate working environment 7. the ability to cope systematically and creatively with complex questions, to form well-founded judgements and to communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences 8. the ability to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional or similar level 9. a critical and open scholarly attitude 10. the continual expansion of knowledge and understanding from the realization that sufficient knowledge and insight into how international relations function requires constant learning. General skills 1. the ability to function in the labour market 2. the ability to function in a group in a hierarchical and subject-related work environment. Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 3

4 Article 2.3 Specializations The degree programme has the following specializations: No. Specialization 1 Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie [Dutch track] 2 International Relations and International Organization [English track] Article 2.4 Specialization modules Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie [Dutch track] No. Module Study load 1 Verdieping Leer der Internationale Betrekkingen 1 [Advanced Theory of 10 ECTS International Relations] 2 Onderzoekscollege IB/IO [Research module IR/IO] 10 ECTS 3 Paper IB/IO [Paper IR/IO] 5 ECTS 4 Keuzevakspecialisatie 2 [Optional module specialization] 5 ECTS 5 Ma-stage IB/IO [MA placement IR/IO] 10 ECTS 6 Ma-scriptie IB/IO [MA thesis IR/IO] 20 ECTS 1 This module is taught in English. 2 In the MA optional module students take a module that concentrates in depth on one of the main areas of focus of the degree programme. The Board of Examiners must approve the student s choice. All modules can be followed either in the first or the second semester. Every semester, subject-specific research modules will be offered. International Relations and International Organization [English track] No. Module Study load 7 Advanced Theory of International Relations 10 8 Research module IR/IO 10 9 Paper IR/IO 5 10 Optional module specialization MA placement IR/IO MA thesis IR/IO 20 1 In the MA optional module students take a module that concentrates in depth on one of the main areas of focus of the degree programme. The Board of Examiners must approve the student s choice. 2 With the approval of the Board of Examiners, this module may be replaced by a second Research Module offered by the degree programme. Article 2.5 Practical exercises 1. The following modules contain one or more practical exercises in the form indicated: No Module. 1 Verdieping Leer der Internationale Betrekkingen Type of practical exercise Active participation 2 Onderzoekscollege IB/IO Written assignments, presentation Type of lecture Lectures, tutorials, independent Tutorials, independent 3 Paper Internationale Betrekkingen 1 Paper Independent Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 4

5 (supervised) 5 Ma-stage IB/IO Placement report Individual supervision 6 Ma-scriptie IB/IO Thesis Independent (supervised) 7 Advanced Theory of International Relations Active participation Lectures, tutorials, independent 8 Research module IR/IO Written assignments, presentation Tutorials, independent 9 Paper IR/IO 1,2 Paper Independent (supervised) 11 MA placement IR/IO Placement report Individual supervision 12 MA thesis IR/IO 2 Thesis Independent (supervised) 1 The paper must match the chosen research module. 2 The paper must be written in English. 2. The examination for a module listed under Article may not be taken before the relevant practical exercises have been successfully followed. At the very least this includes active participation in at least 80% of the tutorials. 3. With regard to the following modules, successful participation in the practical exercises is considered to mean passing the relevant module: No Module. 3 Paper Internationale Betrekkingen 5 Ma-stage IB/IO 6 Ma-scriptie IB/IO 9 Paper IR/IO 11 MA placement IR/IO 12 MA thesis IR/IO 4. If a type of examination is not listed for a module in these Regulations, perhaps because the module concerned a subject not taught in the programme, then the relevant Teaching and Examination Regulations for that module will apply. Section 3 Examinations and final assessment of the degree programme Article 3.1. General 1. Examinations, both interim and final, provide students with the information they need to assess whether they have achieved or will achieve the required learning outcomes. This will help them with their further participation in the degree programme in question. 2. The results of an examination are given as pass or fail, in whole numbers on a scale of 10 (ten): expressed as 6 or above or 5 or below, respectively. Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 5

6 Article 3.2 Compulsory registration and order of the examinations Compulsory registration for the examinations All enrolled students must register for the examinations they wish to take via ProgRESS-WWW. The registration period for the first and second semesters falls in weeks 12 to 15 of these semesters. The registration period for an examination during the reading week (week 8) will be in weeks 5 to 7 of each semester. The registration period for the resit examinations in August will be in the 5 th to 2 nd week preceding the resit examination period Compulsory order of examinations The examinations for the modules listed below may not be taken before the examinations for the associated modules have been passed: No. Module No After passing module. 5 Ma-stage IB/IO 2 Onderzoekscollege IB/IO and 3 Paper IB/IO 6 Ma-scriptie IB/IO 2 Onderzoekscollege IB-IO and 3 Paper IB/IO 11 MA placement IR/IO 8 Research module IR/IO and 9 Paper IR/IO 12 MA thesis IR/IO 8 Research module IR/IO and 9 Paper IR/IO Article 3.3 Examination frequency and periods 1. There will be an opportunity to sit the examinations for the modules listed in Article 2.4 twice per academic year. 2. If this regulation does not state the number of times per academic year that an examination for a module may be taken, then the relevant Teaching and Examination Regulations for that module will apply. Article 3.4 Form of examinations 1. The examinations for the modules listed in article 2.4 shall be written examinations, with the exception of the following modules, which shall be assessed in the form indicated. No. Module Form of examination 2 Onderzoekscollege IB/IO Written assignments, oral examination, written examination 3 Paper Internationale Betrekkingen Paper 5 Ma-stage IB/IO Placement report 6 Ma-scriptie IB/IO Thesis 8 Research module IR/IO Written assignments, oral examination, written examination 9 Paper IR/IO Paper 11 MA placement IR/IO Placement report 12 MA thesis IR/IO Thesis 2. At the student s written request, the Board of Examiners may allow an examination to be taken in a form different from that stated in Article The Board of Examiners may also grant Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 6

7 exemption from participation in practical exercises. In such cases, the Board of Examiners will require the practical exercise to be performed in a different way that it will determine. 3. Students with a performance disability will be given the opportunity to take examinations in a form that will compensate as far as possible for their individual handicap. If necessary, the Board of Examiners will seek expert advice on this matter. 4. If a type of examination is not listed for a module in these Regulations, perhaps because the module concerned a subject not taught in the programme, then the relevant Teaching and Examination Regulations for that module will apply. Article 3.5 Oral examinations 1. Unless the Board of Examiners decides otherwise, an oral examination may only be taken by one student at a time. 2. Oral examinations are public, unless the Board of Examiners or the examiner stipulates otherwise or the student objects to the public nature of the examination. 3. An oral examination will be recorded in written, analogue or digital form. The presence of a second examiner is required when the recording is in written form. Article 3.6 Partial examinations If a module is divided into several sub-modules, each of which is worth at least 5 ECTS, the final mark will be the weighted average of the marks gained in the partial examinations. All components must be passed. Article 3.7 Placement A placement plan comprising a list of the aims, the content of the placement and a plan of activities must be drawn up before the placement commences. This plan must be approved by the supervisors. The assessment of the placement will be by a supervisor from the programme and a supervisor from the host institution, who will have been appointed as examiners by the Board of Examiners. The placement will be rounded off with a placement report that will be assessed by the programme supervisor. Article 3.8 MA thesis 1. The MA thesis will be assessed by two examiners appointed by the Board of Examiners. 2. In principle, a student who is following two degree programmes must submit a separate thesis for each programme. 3. A thesis may only be written in a language other than Dutch if the Board of Examiners has given permission to do so. Article 3.9 Cheating and plagiarism 1. Cheating is an act or omission by the examinee designed to partly or wholly hinder the forming of a correct assessment of his or her knowledge, understanding and skills. 2. Plagiarism is defined as: a. the use of the ideas and phrases of others without reference to the source b. the inclusion of a translation or paraphrase of someone else s work without reference to the source c. the submission of the same or similar papers for assignments for different modules 3. In the event of plagiarism during a practical exercise, the Board of Examiners may decide to ban the examinee from participating in the practical exercise for a period it will determine. This period will be no more than one year. 4. In the event of cheating during an examination, the examiner may ban the examinee from further participation in the examination. Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 7

8 5. In the event of cheating during an examination, the Board of Examiners may decide to ban the examinee from participating in that examination for a period it will determine. This period will be no more than one year. 6. In some cases of plagiarism, the Board of Examiners may decide to pass the decision on to the Faculty Plagiarism Committee. 7. The Board of Examiners will make a decision concerning a ban based on the written report by the invigilator of the cheating discovered by him/her, and after hearing the examinee s side of the story. 8. The Board of Examiners/Faculty Plagiarism Committee will make a decision concerning a ban based on the written report by the examiner about the cheating or plagiarism discovered by him/her, and after hearing the examinee s side of the story. 9. A ban means that no result will be awarded for the examination or practical exercise in question. 10. The Board of Examiners/Faculty Plagiarism Committee will inform the Faculty Board of all instances of cheating and/or plagiarism. Article 3.10 Marking of examinations and publication of marks 1. The normal maximum time permitted for marking examinations is ten working days after the day of the examination or the day a paper is handed in. This may be extended to fifteen working days for examinations consisting of essay questions that were taken by more than 50 students. 2. If the time remaining between an examination/paper and modification of the planning is less than 10 or 15 working days respectively, the examination or paper must be marked at least one day before the planning module in ProgRESS-WWW closes. 3. Contrary to the provisions of Article , an examiner will decide the mark of an oral examination immediately on completion of the examination, and will provide the student with the relevant written confirmation. 4. The written confirmation of the results of an examination will inform students of their right of inspection, as stipulated in Article , as well as of the possibility of an appeal to the Board of Appeal for Examinations. 5. A module or an examination that has been passed may not be taken again. 6. If an examination is taken in a form other than oral or written, the Board of Examiners will determine in advance how and when students will receive written confirmation of the results. Article 3.11 Validity 1. Modules that have been passed will remain valid for a maximum of four years from the moment the module was passed. 2. Contrary to the provisions of Article , the Board of Examiners may decide to recognize a module passed more than four years previously if the material learned is still relevant, or require the student to take a supplementary or substitute examination before allowing that student to progress to the final assessment. Article 3.12 Right of inspection 1. On request, students have the right to inspect their marked work during a period of at least six weeks after the results of a written examination have been made known. Also on request, they will be provided with a copy of the work at cost price. 2. Within the timeframe stipulated in Article , any person may request that they be allowed to peruse the examination paper and the assessment criteria. 3. The Board of Examiners can determine that inspection or perusal of examination papers will take place at a certain place and at two set times at least. If the person concerned can show that they were prevented by force majeure from attending at the indicated places and times, they will be offered another opportunity, if possible within the period stated in Article Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 8

9 Article 3.13 Exemptions 1. At the student s written request, the Board of Examiners, having discussed the matter with the examiner in question, may grant exemption from an examination on condition that the student: a. has completed part of a university or higher vocational degree that is equivalent in content and level b. can demonstrate by work experience that he/she has sufficient knowledge and skills with respect to the module in question. Article 3.14 Final assessment 1. Students who have passed all the examinations for a degree programme, or have satisfied the requirements for all parts of the programme approved by the Board of Examiners, must apply for the certificate no later than four weeks after doing so. The examination date entered on the certificate by the Board of Examiners is the date on which the student is deemed by the Board to have satisfied the final assessment requirements. 2. If the student applies for the certificate after the period specified in Article , the examination date entered on the certificate shall be the date on which the student is deemed by the Board of Examiners to have satisfied the final assessment requirements, even if the date on which the Board takes this decision is in a subsequent academic year and the student is required to register for that year. 3. There will be at least ten opportunities a year for a final assessment. Article 3.15 Degree 1. Students who have satisfied all the requirements of the final assessment shall be awarded the degree of Master of Arts. 2. The degree awarded shall be registered on the degree certificate. Article 3.16 Cum laude regulations 1. The distinction Cum Laude can be awarded to the final assessment of a Master s degree if the thesis has gained a mark of at least a 9 and the other modules in the final assessment have each gained marks of at least an All elements must be weighted before being considered, i.e. when the average mark is being determined, each module counts as often as the number of ECTS credits available for that module. 3. Supplementary modules need not be included. Students may decide themselves which additional modules from outside the fixed Master s programme (final assessment for the Master s degree) should be included as extra modules. 4. If a student wishes to be considered for the Cum Laude predicate for the final assessment of the Master s degree, the number of teaching units with a mark must total at least: - 50 of the 60 ECTS credits for a 60 ECTS Master s degree programme - 75 of the 90 ECTS credits for a 90 ECTS Master s degree programme of the 120 ECTS credits for a 120 ECTS Master s degree programme. The thesis must be included among these teaching units. Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 9

10 Section 4 Admission Article 4.1 Language of instruction The degree programme will be taught in Dutch with a number of modules taught in English. The International Relations and International Organization English track will be taught in English. 1. In accordance with Article 7.2 of the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), modules must be taught and examinations set in Dutch. Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous sentence, a different language may be employed if: a. it is a degree programme concerning that language b. it concerns teaching provided within the framework of a visiting lectureship or by a lecturer who does not speak Dutch c. the specific nature, design or quality of the teaching or the origins of the students necessitate this, in accordance with the code of behaviour drawn up by the board of the institution. 1. c applies to International Relations and International Organization English track. 2. The Dutch language proficiency requirement will be met by passing the Dutch State Exam NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language). Article 4.2 Entry requirements 1. Students with a Dutch or foreign certificate of higher education that indicates that they have knowledge and understanding of and subject-specific skills in the Theory of International Relations at academic Bachelor s level shall be admitted to the degree programme. 2. The holder of a certificate from the Bachelor s degree programme in International Relations and International Organization of the University of Groningen or from another Dutch university is expected to have the knowledge, understanding and skills listed in Article and will be admitted to the degree programme on that basis. 3. Admission within the meaning of Articles and entitles a student to register for the degree programme. 4. In addition, for the International Relations and International Organization English track, the candidate must produce proof of sufficient mastery of English; the following are considered sufficient proof: a. a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher) b. the internet-based TOEFL test (ibt TOEFL, with a minimum score of 79) c. IELTS, Academic Module, with a minimum score of 6.5 d. a certificate from the University of Groningen Language Centre, at least B2, CEFR. Article 4.3 Admission to specializations In addition to the provisions of Article 4.2, the following admission requirements apply to the various specializations in this degree programme: - International Relations and International Organization English track - Sufficient knowledge of English to be able to follow the degree programme successfully This requirement shall be met by passing a language proficiency test with a TOEFL score of 580 or above, or IELTS of 6.5 or above. Article 4.4 Conditional admission 1 At the written request of candidates who are preparing for the final examination for the Bachelor s degree programme listed in Article 4.2.2, the Admissions Board as defined in Article 4.5 may admit them to the degree programme on condition that: - they only need to pass modules in the Bachelor s degree programme with a combined load of no more than 10 ECTS credits - they have successfully completed a BA thesis Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 10

11 2 A conditional admission must be converted into admission as set out in Article 4.2 within six months. Article 4.5 Admissions Board 1. Admission to the degree programme is at the discretion of the Admissions Board. This Board consists of: - a member, also the chairperson, selected from the professors who will teach the degree programme - two members selected from the academic staff who will teach the degree programme. 2. The Admissions Board will nominate a secretary from among its members. 3. The nomination will be confirmed by the Board of Examiners, who will also set out the admissions procedure. Article 4.6 Admissions procedure for the degree programme Bearing in mind the admissions procedure for the degree programme within the meaning of Article 4.2.1, the Admissions Board shall assess the knowledge and skills of the candidate. In addition to the certified written proofs of degree programme(s) already followed, the Board may ask experts from within or outside the university to test certain areas of knowledge and skills. Article 4.7 Colloquium Doctum: times 1. The Colloquium Doctum will be held twice a year before the start of the degree programme, which commences in the first and the second semesters. 2. Requests for admission to the degree programme must be submitted before 1 March or 15 September to the Admissions Board. 3. Only in exceptional cases will the Admissions Board consider an application submitted after the date stated in Article The Admissions Board will make a decision before 1 June or 1 December, respectively. Admission will be on condition that the candidate has satisfied the requirements set out in Article 4.2 concerning knowledge and skills by the starting date of the degree programme at the latest, supported by certificates from the degree programmes followed. The written admission decision will include information for the student about the possibility of an appeal to the Board of Appeal for Examinations. Section 5 Registration for modules and tutoring Article 5.1 Registration for modules 1. With regard to starting in the first semester, all enrolled students must register in ProgRESS- WWW before 1 July for the modules that they wish to follow in the new academic year. All enrolled students who start in the second semester must indicate in ProgRESS-WWW before 15 December which modules they intend to follow in the second semester. Students will be able to make changes to their planning during the first three weeks of a semester. 2. The registration must contain all modules and all examinations and resits. An examination or resit is an examination or paper that forms part of the assessment of a module and which is taken during the annual examination periods. 3. The registration forms of non-arts students or students with other qualifications must be sent in writing to the Office of Student Affairs before 1 September for starting in the first semester or before 1 February for starting in the second semester. The Office of Student Affairs will enter the plans into ProgRESS-WWW. Article 5.2 Study progress administration Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 11

12 1. The Faculty Board is responsible for registering the individual results of students. 2. The Faculty Board will provide students with an overview of their results at least once a year. Article 5.3 Tutoring 1. Within the framework of the admissions procedure, the Faculty Board is responsible for making an appointment with each student to discuss the individual degree programme to be followed. 2. The Faculty Board is responsible for providing students with an introductory programme at the start of their degree programme. 3. The Faculty Board will ensure that students have sufficient supervision during their degree programme, and will pay particular attention to possible changes deemed necessary to ensure the programmes are compatible either with conducting academic research or exercising a profession outside the university. Section 6 Transitional and final provisions Article 6.1 Amendments 1. Any amendments to these Regulations will, after due consultation with the departmental committees and the Faculty Council, be confirmed by the Faculty Board in a separate decree. 2. An amendment to these Regulations shall not apply to the current academic year, unless it may reasonably be assumed that the amendment will not harm the interests of students. 3. In addition, amendments may not influence the following to the detriment of students: - the degree programme defined in Article any other decision taken within the meaning of these Regulations concerning a student. Article 6.2 Publication 1. The Faculty Board shall duly publish these Regulations, any rules and guidelines formulated by the Board of Examiners, and any amendments to these documents. 2. Copies of the documents referred to in Article are available from the Faculty Office. Article 6.3 Date of commencement These regulations shall take effect on 1 September As decreed by the Faculty Board on 1 July Teaching and Examination Regulations MA IR/IO, page 12