Courses
Courses
To accomplish MAS, students must obtain 120 ECTS credits and pass a state exam. The curriculum is composed of seven compulsory courses (60 ECTS credits in total), languages (12 ECTS), elective courses (at least 36 ECTS credits in total), and optional courses (maximum 12 ECTS credits).
The study track, which students may choose by the end of the first semester, requires at least 30 ECTS credits obtained from the elective courses flagged for the specific study track. Besides, students must submit a master’s thesis that falls within the scope of the chosen study track.
A state exam comprises defence of the master’s thesis and academic debate on a selected topic from within the specialisation created throughout the studies (beyond the thesis focus).
Course structure
|
Compulsory courses |
60 ECTS |
|
Languages |
12 ECTS |
|
Electives (tracks) |
min. 36 ECTS |
|
Optional (from a list) |
12 ECTS |
|
Total |
120 ECTS |
Compulsory courses
Compulsory core courses introduce the students to key concepts of area studies, the quantitative and qualitative methods in social sciences as well as to academic writing. The core courses are intended to provide the students with the conceptual toolbox and analytical skills, thus, to give a solid ground for further studies of specialized elective courses.
In total, the core courses give 60 ECTS credits.
|
Name of Course |
Semester |
Examination |
Credits |
|
Academic Writing |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Qualitative Methods in Social Sciences |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Area Studies: Theory and Methodology |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Comparative and Conceptual History |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
M.A. Thesis Seminar for MAS I |
WS/SS |
Pass |
15 |
|
M.A. Thesis Seminar for MAS II |
WS/SS |
Pass |
15 |
Languages
Language courses constitute an integral part of MAS. Students are expected to master a language that will allow them to analyse and understand the development of their region of interest at a basic level at least. Students may choose from a range of language courses offered at Charles University. Alternatively, students may find a course externally if the language is not available at the university. The choice of the course is, however, subject to approval of the programme director.
In total, the language courses must give at least 12 ECTS credits.
|
Name of Course |
Semester |
Examination |
Credits |
|
Czech as a Foreign Language I |
WS/SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Czech as a Foreign Language II |
WS/SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Czech as a Foreign Language III |
WS/SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Czech as a Foreign Language IV |
WS/SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Russian Language I |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Russian Language II |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Russian Language III |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Russian Language IV |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Polish Language I |
WS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Polish Language II |
SS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Polish Language III |
WS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Polish Language IV |
SS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Greek Language I |
WS/SS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Greek Language II |
WS/SS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Greek Language III |
WS/SS |
Exam |
3 |
|
Foreign Language I* |
WS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Foreign Language II* |
SS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Foreign Language III* |
WS |
Pass |
3 |
|
Foreign Language IV* |
SS |
Pass |
3 |
* Students who find the language course externally must discuss the choice with the programme director. The programme director will then specify the course completion requirements.
Electives
Elective courses cover a wide range of specific areas and issues which allows the students to specialize in the field of their interest. Students may choose from all courses taught at the Institute of International Studies.
In total, the elective courses must give at least 36 ECTS credits.
You can find the list of available courses here: https://karolinka.fsv.cuni.cz/KFSV-1322.html
Electives for Study Tracks
Apart from building an individual thematic and territorial profile, students can follow one of the offered study tracks. The study track requires at least 30 ECTS credits obtained from the elective courses flagged for the specific study track. Besides, students must submit a master’s thesis that falls within the scope of the chosen study track. After completion of the study track, in addition to the diploma, students receive the Certificate of Completion of the Study Track.
The US and Global Affairs study track
This track introduces students to skills essential for the analysis of US foreign policy, its structural underpinnings and their impact across the globe and in various policy fields.
|
Name of Course |
Semester |
Examination |
Credits |
|
Government in the United States |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
The Transatlantic Link: Understanding America from Europe |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
U.S. Legal Culture |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Major Problems of Political Economy in the North American Context |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
U.S. Foreign Policy |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Internship for MAS |
WS/SS |
Pass |
6 |
|
Critical Issues in U.S. – Chinese Relations |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Global Governance: The U.S. and International Organizations |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Evolution of Sino-American Relations |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Hollywood/Europe: A Transnational Film Culture. |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Landmarks in 20th Century U.S. History and Their Interpretations |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Issues in United States National Security Policy |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Major Issues in Contemporary Public Debates in the U.S. |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Promoting Democracy Abroad: The U.S. and the EU in Third Countries |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
The Special Relationship between the United States and Great Britain |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
U.S. and Human Rights |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
U.S. Foreign Policy During the Cold War |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
U.S. Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Political Geography |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
U.S. and the Global South |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
Transition and Integration in Europe study track
This track focuses on the study of the latest development of the post-Communist European countries with respect to the transition from the Communist society and integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
|
Name of Course |
Semester |
Examination |
Credits |
|
Political Systems of East-Central European Countries |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Problems of the Post-Soviet Space |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Internship for MAS |
WS/SS |
Pass |
6 |
|
Cultural Legacies and Developments in the Balkans: Modern and Traditional Entanglements |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Economy and Politics in 20th Century Eastern Europe |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Ethnic Conflicts in Central and Eastern Europe |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Russia's Aggression against Ukraine: Implications for European Security |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Ukraine after 1991 |
SS |
Pass |
6 |
|
Political Geography |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
The Transformation of the Communist Successor Parties in Central Europe and the Influence of Western European Leftists |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Social Exclusion and the Roma in Central Europe |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
European Union in International Affairs |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
European Economic Integration |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
European Comparative Politics and Society |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Transnational History of Contemporary Europe |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Cohesion Policy of the EU in Central and East European Countries. |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
EU Policies |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Rebuilding Europe |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Grand Debates of European Integration |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Small States in the EU |
SS |
Exam |
6 |
Israel and the Middle East study track
The track helps students understand the politics and societies in Israel and the Middle East, with a focus on the pressing conflicts and disputes in the region.
|
Name of Course |
Semester |
Examination |
Credits |
|
Israel: Politics and Society |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
The Israeli-Arab/Palestinian Conflict |
WS |
Exam |
6 |
|
Conflict, Identity, and Politics - Israel through Film and the Arts |
SS |
Pass |
6 |
|
Energy Security in Israel and the Middle East |
WS |
Exam |
4 |
| Understanding Israeli Security Policy: Territory, Occupations and Withdrawals | SS | Exam | 6 |
| Shifting Global Politics and the Middle East | WS | Exam | 6 |
| Geopolitics of the Middle East | SS | Exam | 4 |
| Territoriality of Radical Islamist Groups | WS | Exam | 4 |
| Insurgency and Counterinsurgency | SS | Exam | 6 |
| Radicalisation and De-Radicalisation | SS | Exam | 6 |
| Foreign Policy of the Gulf Countries | SS | Exam | 6 |
Optional Courses
Off-field optional courses can be taken at any department of Charles University. Students may take a maximum 12 ECTS credits of optional course. These credits can also be used to follow elective courses or languages. There is no minimum number of credits to be taken in this category of course (that is, all 120 credits can be gained by taking only compulsory and elective courses from the lists above).
