MA in International Relations with Specialization in Diplomacy Studies
Track 202: Diplomacy studies – one year - Non-Thesis Track
9 Courses - 36 credit hours (3 core courses and 6 elective courses)
Final project (35-45 pages).
In this track students will be required to complete at least two seminar papers (20-30 pages each) and one final paper – final project (35-45 pages). Students should obtain the consent of one of their faculty member to supervise their final project. The final project should be submitted, and its approval by its supervisor is one of the preconditions for graduating.
MA in International Relations Dual Degree with University of Warsaw
Track 201: Dual Degree with Warsaw University - two years - Thesis Track
First year in Haifa: three semesters - 6 Courses - approximately 60 ECTS : 4 core courses and 2 elective courses (4 weekly hours per semester in each course).
Second year in Warsaw: two semesters - 12 Courses - 60 ECTS: 27 ECTS - obligatory modules, 03 ECTS - general elective modules and 30 ECTS - restricted choice modules.
Final assignment: Thesis Research Paper.
By the end of second year students must submit the final thesis (60-80 pages) under supervision of two lecturers. Students are responsible for finding two supervisors: one from the Department of International Relations in Warsaw University and one from the Division of International Relations in Haifa University. A master’s thesis is an independent research project, and the pace of progress largely depends on the student’s efforts. Completion of a thesis may often require more than two years. Students, who begin their studies in Dual degree program, are expected to begin their research on MA thesis during their first year and to conclude it during the second year of studies in Warsaw. Extension of the studies beyond the two- year limit will require an additional fee.
During the first year Dual Degree program students will be required to write at least one seminar paper (20-30 pages each).
Thesis submission - General Information
Thesis Form - Supervisors Willingness
Thesis Proposal Approval Form - Supervisors
Thesis proposal - General Information
For Both tracks:
Language Study:
The study of the Hebrew and the Arab languages is not included in the program curriculum. However, the study of languages is available through the International School at an additional cost.
Please note that language course grades are not calculated into the MA GPA, but they do appear on the student's transcript. The language courses begin prior to the MA program start date. Please contact the International School at for exact dates.
Practicum for the excellent students:
The practicum is a field experience in organizations which practice Diplomacy (Embassies and NPOs). This will be an option for a few of the program's students, on the basis of their fall semester grades. Among the institutions which will provide auspices for this internship are: Mitvim - The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and a few foreign embassies.
Enrichment:
In addition to the practicum/internship, the program will furnish exposure to NGOs for Arab-Jewish and Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and Middle East peace processes.Participation in field trips is mandatory for all students in both tracks. Field trips, simulation games, guest lectures and expert panel discussions will enhance the courses. The interactions between the program's international students coming from different countries will expand the students' experience and knowledge.
Students must attend at least four departmental seminars during the school year. The announcement about departmental seminars will be transferred by email by the Secretariat about a week prior to the seminar.
Simulations:
Role-playing simulations serve as one of the most effective educational instruments in the study of peace and conflict management. The simulations have two major educational motivations. The first is empathizing with the role that will be played. This requires learning about a political group’s interests, fears, previous experiences, internal divisions, norms and culture. The second element of the simulation is experiencing strategic decision-making. This requires learning how to collect information about the other actors as well as one’s own capabilities and limitations, formulation of detailed policy alternatives, predicting how the other actors will respond to each policy and experiencing the actual reaction of the other actors as well as unexpected initiatives of they might launch. The participants have the opportunity to backtrack and repeat the simulation and discover what would have happened if they had chosen an alternative strategy.
