All programmes > Programme : Master of International Politics (Leuven)

Master of International Politics (Leuven)

Master of Science

Programme summary

Master of International Politics (60 ECTS)

Master of International Politics (60 ECTS)

Education

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Objectives

Learning outcomes:

The expert
T1 The graduates have advanced (in-depth and specialised) knowledge of and insight into political science frameworks of thought and reference within the field of the chosen elective (comparative politics, European politics or international politics); they understand how these have developed and are able to discern the possibilities and limitations thereof.
T2 The graduates are able to explain and interpret specific social phenomena based on their knowledge of and insights into political science and within the field of the chosen elective in particular.
T3 The graduates have insight into the normative principles and implications of political science theories within the field of the chosen elective.

The researcher
O1 The graduates have insight into the research processes and methods of social sciences and recognise the importance of an empirical basis for the acquisition of knowledge in the field of the chosen elective.
O2 The graduates are able to analyse political science publications and link these to views and developments in the field of the chosen elective and are able to express a well-founded opinion on the quality thereof. They are able to independently write a scientific paper.
O3 The graduates are able to find, select, assimilate and critically assess relevant (political science) sources and information, refer to these in a correct way and independently use these to answer (research) questions. In this regard, they are able to distinguish between primary and secondary resources.
O4 The graduates know and have insight into the characteristics of and differences between the most used quantitative and qualitative political science research methods and techniques and are able to apply these correctly.
O5 The graduates are able to transpose a complex political science formulation of a problem into research questions, draft a research design, and go through an entire empirical cycle (using both quantitative and qualitative methods) in order to formulate answers to these research questions.
O6 The graduates have insight into the limitations of political science research, are able to critically reflect on the achievements, limitations and scientific value of political science research findings by analysing the applied methods and techniques and critically discussing the findings.
O7 The graduates have an understanding of and take the ethical and deontological rules within the discipline, and within scientific research in general, into account. They meticulously carry out research, refrain from plagiarism, reliably and thoughtfully communicate the results and describe the research methods and results in a verifiable manner.

The political analyst
B1 The graduates are able to independently make a scientifically substantiated and creative contribution to policy.
B2 The graduates have advanced knowledge of and insight into the political establishment, the structures and processes of the acquisition of power and policy-making in the field of the chosen elective and are able to put this knowledge into a historical perspective.
B3 The graduates have an advanced understanding of the normative and ideological principles of policy, are able to put these into a historical context, and have insight into the manner in which these principles translate into policy.

General skills
A1 The graduates are able to, both orally and in writing, argue, report, present and debate with colleagues on theories, (their own) research, policy issues and the integration of theory, research and policy.
A2 The graduates exhibit intellectual interest , alertness and a reflective attitude towards the political and social events and the communication thereof and demonstrate a desire to develop their critical knowledge.
A3 The graduates are able to work effectively and efficiently within a clearly defined project by planning, organising, setting priorities and working meticulously towards meeting the deadlines.
A4 The graduates keep abreast of the developments within the domain of the chosen elective.

Practice-oriented expert

1. Masters of International Politics are prepared to, on the basis of their disciplinary knowledge of the (theoretical) frameworks regarding international politics, make sharp analyses and present and defend those in a professional context.

2. Masters of International Politics show motivation to play an expert role within a professional context and develop and implement the necessary strategies to do so.

3. Masters of International Politics develop an open mind which allows them to approach complex, interdisciplinary questions scientifically and tackle them together with colleagues.

4. Masters of International Politics cultivate an open attitude towards various groups and cultures.

Reflective professional

1. Masters of International Politics show authentic interest in relevant political-societal fields and are, taking into account the different stakeholders, willing to contribute in a constructive manner to the development of alternatives and creation of solutions to tackle current and future problems and challenges.

2. Masters of International Politics are willing to (self)critically evaluate their acquired knowledge and insights into international politics, show that they are prepared for lifelong learning and demonstrate that they will actively follow relevant scientific evolutions.

3. Masters of International Politics develop a societal sense of responsibility, which comes from and contributes to the connection of disciplinary knowledge and insights to the installation and execution of complex projects which demand for an effective and efficient follow-up.

Policy-oriented researcher

1. Masters of International Politics are willing to act in all circumstances in accordance with a scientifically sound, integer basic attitude and the applicable professional deontological codes.

2. Masters of International Politics develop a research-oriented attitude, which allows them to connect the results of (their own) scientific research to practices and problems in the political-societal field.

3. Masters of International Politics show knowledge of the opportunities and challenges of scientific research in international politics, take initiative to actively contribute to this field and acknowledge the disciplinary and ethical limitations of the discipline.