Name of Programme Master of Science in International Relations
Duration 18 months (1 ½ years)
Actual Credit Load 288
Maximum Credit Load 360
Minimum MBK Credit Load 270
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME
The programme seeks to develop graduates’ knowledge, competencies and analytical skills for them to be able to comprehend and resolve contentious contemporary international relations issues in the modern global contexts.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Normal Entry: A 2.1 pass, or better in Political Science, Public Management and Administration, Economics, Defence and Security Studies, Strategic Studies, History, Development Studies and Law or any relevant related degree.
Special Entry: A general degree and any other qualification in line with the Zimbabwe National Qualifications Framework (ZNQF).
PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS
Areas of study: Theories of international relations, Global Peace and Security Studies, International Law and Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, International Institutions, International Political Economy, Research Methods, Geopolitics, International Justice Systems, Africa’s International Relations, International Governance and Development and
Specialist focus: Rigorous research guided inclusive international relations systems which foster sustainable nation-state and global development.
Orientation: Applied critical action research premised on creativity, innovation and empirical student-centred learning.
Distinctive: The programme seeks to produce creative, innovative, pro-active, and highly competent graduates who are versatile and adaptive to the highly dynamic and competitive modern global environments.
4.0 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Employability: Careers in: Government ministries, Diplomatic missions, International Civil Society and Non-governmental Agencies, International Governmental Organisations, Academia and Research Institutions.
Further Studies: Doctoral studies in International Relations, International Politics, International Law, Political Science and Governance.
5.0 PROGRAMME DELIVERY
Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, seminars, group work, field-based activities, research project, and individual independent study.
Assessment Methods: Written and oral examinations, in-class tests, written assignments, and seminar presentations.
6.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this programme the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in international relations.
- Use principles and theories of International Relations to gain a critical understanding of current problems and challenges in our country and beyond.
- Use appropriate research methods, skills, and tools, to conduct research which leads to innovative and problem-solving ideas in the modern global contexts.
- Apply the necessary tools and skills for international affairs management processes.
- Understand the development of alternative paradigms for international relations.
- Use appropriate research methods to create new insights into international relations’ management processes.
- Communicate effectively and present information using multi-media to both experts and non-experts in the field of international relations.
- Provide a platform for research in international relations.
- Ability to use principles and theories of International Relations to gain a critical understanding of current problems and challenges in our country and beyond.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of international relations in resolving complex and dynamic global contemporary international relations challenges.
- GENERAL PROVISIONS
Refer to section 4 of the Faculty General Regulations
- PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
- Continuous assessment
Written assignments, seminar and group presentations, in-class tests, and any other relevant assessments contribute 40% to the final mark.
- Written Examinations
End of semester examinations constitute 60% of the final mark
- Other
Dissertation/research Project is assessed on the basis of a research project (75%) and oral presentation (25%).
- PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION
Refer to section 6 of the Faculty Regulations.
- FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS
Refer to section 9 of the University’s General Regulations.
- GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
Refer to section 10 of the Faculty Regulations.
- DEGREE WEIGHTING
Refer to section 11 of the Faculty Regulations.
- PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Level 1 Semester 1
MSIR 731 Theories of International Relations 18
MSIR 732 International Governance and Development 18
MSIR 733 International Justice Systems 18
MSIR 734 International Institutions 18
MSIR 735 International Political Economy 18
Level 1 Semester 2
MSIR 736 Foreign Policy 18
MSIR 737 Advanced Research Methodology 18
MSIR 738 Geopolitical Studies 18
MSIR 739 Africa’s International Relations 18
MSIR 740 Global Peace and Security Studies 18
Level 2 Semester 1
MSIR 741 International Law and Diplomacy 18
MSIR 800 Dissertation 90
- MODULE SYNOPSES
MSIR 731 THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
This module provides students with some of the foundations of international relations as an analytical field of research. The aim is to introduce students to some of the major theoretical developments in the field of international relations since its inception as a self-conscious scholarly discipline.
MSIR 732 INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
The module examines aspects of the structures and processes of global governance, especially within the UN system, and also governance in regional groupings. This module also takes a comprehensive and critical look at international development examining what it has accomplished in the twentieth century and what form it should take in the twenty-first century.
MSIR 733 INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS
The module exposes students to the key institutions of justice like the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court among others. A focus on the structure, authority and operations are considered in some detail. The role of the United Nations in promoting justice is also highlighted.
MSIR 734 INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The module serves to analyse the political theory of international institutions and to increase understanding of the contemporary policy issues surrounding the work of international institutions. The module examines all kinds of mergers that operate at international level, which do not have commercial purpose, concern more than one state, but do not have any state characteristics in all the continents.
MSIR 735 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
The module is concerned principally with understanding the interaction between political actors and economic forces in the international system. The module explores the issues to do with production, trade and their relations with law, custom and government as well as the distribution of national income and wealth. The module revolves around issues of international businesses, and trade, international finance, international development and development economic.
MSIR 736 FOREIGN POLICY
The module examines a variety of alternative theoretical models of how states formulate, implement and evaluate their foreign policies. The module examines the self-interested strategies chosen by states to safeguard its national interests as well as the strategic approaches used by state actors in their interaction with other states.
MSIR 737 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This module provides students with an understanding of the background, issues and controversies surrounding some of the methodologies and statistics used to accomplish research objectives. Since it is a follow up of the undergraduate Research Methods module provides a general overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods in social science research and a more intensive focus on survey research methods (data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation).
MSIR 738 GEOPOLITICAL STUDIES
The module provides a comprehensive overview of the major issues, ideas, institutions, and interests that make up the global politics. Particular emphasis is given to the relationship between the global environment and the global economy, as well as to the issue of global environmental governance. Specifically, the module dwells on explaining and predicting international political behaviour of actors in international politics primarily in terms of geographical variables.
MSIR 739 AFRICA’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The module explores the major issues on the relations between state and non-state actors with each other and with international organizations and certain subnational entities and non-actors such as bureaucracies, political parties, and interest groups) on the African continent. The module examines issues like conflicts, cooperation, trade and diplomacy, human rights, global poverty, the environment, economics, globalization, security, global ethics, and the political environment among others affecting the African continent.
MSIR 740 GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY
The module aims to ground students in the central theoretical and practical aspects of global peace and security. This is taught in the context of an understanding of the main approaches to International peace and security. The modules explores the key institutions, actors, processes, mechanisms and systems undergirding global peace and security.
MSIR 741 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DIPLOMACY
The module explores key issues in international law and diplomacy. It examines competing approaches and considers the nature and sources of international law, sources of international law, diplomatic immunity, dispute settlement, municipal versus international law, the law of the seas, environmental protection and human rights, outer space and air law and use of force. The module examines the nexus between international law and the work of diplomatic agencies in the execution of foreign policy as well as diplomatic law, multilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
MSIR 800 DISSERTATION
Students carry out an empirical research of interest in the field of International Relations and come up with a research dissertation of at least 20000 to 40000 words. Students work with the assistance and guidance of their supervisor to design, conduct and write their dissertation in line with the current trends in the field of International Relations.