Master of Peace Research and International Relations

After successful completion of this Master's programme, students will be able to analyse complex problems of conflict, war and peace as well as of international relations broadly speaking. They will have acquired essential knowledge of essential theories and methods in this field, as well as the core empirical issues and their contexts. They will be able to apply this knowledge in the identification and analysis of novel problems of international politics, to independently develop theoretical ideas, and to critically evaluate policies addressing conflicts and other transnational issues. The curriculum builds on a strong theoretical-methodological orientation towards research-based learning, characterised by the application of theoretical knowledge to current case studies as well as the development of epistemological judgement and the practice of methodological skills. To this end, the four basic modules teach the theoretical and methodological foundations of the discipline. These modules are as follows: (1) Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives, (2) Normative and Critical Perspectives, (3) Global Governance and (4) Analysing Armed Conflicts. In the elective area, students are free to pursue their own areas of specialisation and study interests. There are numerous opportunities for in-depth study, ranging from courses on international law to peace education. In addition, four regularly offered excursions in particular provide the option of underpinning theoretical knowledge with practical experience. For this purpose, students can take part in (1) National Model United Nations, (2) Peace Boat, (3) European Security Institutions and (4) Mediation and Negotiation. (The excursions must be [co-]financed by the students.) The module handbook can be accessed on the website of the programme. It contains further information on the compulsory modules, as well as an overview and details of the elective modules offered.