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The field of International
Relations continues to develop rapidly in response to dramatic global
changes. World dynamics in the 21st century will be significantly
different than those of the last, and employers of many kinds now
realize that graduates trained to evaluate and analyze global issues are
an invaluable commodity. People grounded in the facts of the past,
skilled in the debates of the present, and able to anticipate patterns
of future development, will be crucial in shaping institutional
responses to global change.
The Master of Arts in International Relations at Huron is a practical
program, preparing students to face the combination of known and unknown
lying ahead. Coursework covers central issues such as globalisation,
cross-border migration, the widening poverty gap, the impact of American
foreign policy, and the threat of terrorism. Graduates emerge with
expertise in a range of contemporary issues.
The MA in International Relations offers a broad platform of knowledge
on the international system, its key actors, and its central dynamics.
It offers the greatest possible flexibility to students in terms of
balancing required courses and electives.
The following features
give the MA a unique and challenging character:
Flexible structure
The MA in International
Relations adopts a flexible semester hour-based structure in which
students can enter the program in either the Fall, Spring, or Summer
semester. During a twelve-month period from entry (longer for part-time
students), students choose ten academic courses, undertake an
internship, and write a thesis in a chosen topic. The program is highly
flexible, and the range of courses allows students to concentrate in
selected areas while developing a broad base of knowledge across the
discipline as a whole.Individual Advising
The personal advising system
ensures that individual students can tailor their MA choices to meet
their specific demands. Huron offers a level of student service that no
large university could achieve. The International Relations department
takes great pride in its ability to offer a truly interactive program:
small class sizes, plenty of group discussion work, and faculty who are
always available and willing to commit to one-on-one tutoring.Innovative use of
technology as a learning tool
The world is never static, and
the International Relations department is committed to utilizing the
widest range of innovative learning techniques to facilitate student
acquisition of knowledge. An example is the ICONS simulation course,
which utilizes cutting-edge Internet technology to bring the reality of
international negotiation into the classroom.Case study and
simulation
Case study analysis is used in
all courses and is the primary method of education in several. This
methodology, adapted from law and business education, has proved
effective in building analytical skills, and greatly enhances student-centred
learning in the program.The classroom without
walls or borders
The program makes use of the
unique opportunities offered by Huron's location in central London, one
of the truly 'global' cities of the 21st century. The department draws
upon the wealth of international actors within the city for guest
speakers, conferences, interaction with international organizations and
the diplomatic community, networking events, and internship
opportunities.Experiential education
Huron's Internship program
allows students to put their skills to the test in the real world. At
least six weeks full-time internship/work experience is required, and
placements are tailored to individual student needs. With 'experience'
an important pre-requisite for many employers, a worthwhile and
challenging internship is a key ingredient of the MA program.
By the end of the MA program, students should have:
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Detailed knowledge of
key events, processes, and actors that shape International Relations |
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Analytical skills to
assess trends and future patterns of global development |
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Ability to construct
arguments and debate contemporary issues in International Relations |
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Improved research,
writing, and evaluation skills |
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Familiarity and
confidence in making oral presentations, handling data, and
computer-based investigation |
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Experience in group
project dynamics |
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Understanding of the
symbiotic relationship between theories and practices in the field
of International Relations |
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Enhanced intercultural
communication skills |
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