MSc - International Relations

Course details

The MSc (International Relations) programme is designed to help students better comprehend the ever-changing international scene. It aims to:

Develop analytical skills on a wide range of international and transnational issues in an increasingly complex world
Integrate theory with policy across the spectrum from traditional issues of military security to non-traditional concerns such as energy and food security
Inculcate a systematic understanding of the relationships among states and non-state actors in a globalised international system
Provide a sound basis for policy analysis in new and creative ways appropriate in an everchanging policy environment

The MSc (International Relations) programme is specially designed to cover a broad spectrum of issues, including:

Theories of International Relations
The making of foreign policy
Business planning and technology management
Area studies, specifically on the Asia Pacific region

Course Outline

Core Courses
IR6001 The Study of International Relations (Foundation)
S6007 Research Methods in International Studies

Primary Field
IR6003 Critical Security Studies
IR6004 International Relations of Northeast Asia
IR6006 The Study of Institutions
IR6014 Nationalism & Multiculturalism
IR6015 Japanese Foreign Policy
IR6020 European Union & Contemporary European Security
IR6023 An Introduction to International Law
IR6024 International Human Rights Law
IR6026 U.S. Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific
IR6027 U.S. Foreign Policy Decision-Making
IR6028 Current Topics and Controversies in U.S. Foreign Policy
IR6901 Selected Topics in International Relations - Introduction to Discourse Analysis with a special emphasis on Religio-Political Discourse
IP6015 Quantitative Methods In The Study of International Politics

Electives
AS6000 The International History of Asia
AS6001 Comparative Politics of Asia
AS6002 Language Study: Chinese
AS6007 Government and Politics of Southeast Asia
AS6008 Contemporary Maritime Security in Asia
AS6010 State & Politics in Modern Indonesia
AS6011 State Society & Politics in Malaysia
AS6013 State Society & Politics in China
AS6015 Non-Traditional Security Issues in Asia
B6833 Strategy Formulation (MBA elective course)
B6834 Strategy Implementation (MBA elective course)
CC6105 The Dynamics of Investment in Greater China (MACC elective course)
CC6204 Chinese Foreign Policy (MACC elective course)
IP6000 Theories and Issues in International Political Economy
IP6001 Economics for International Political Economy
IP6006 The Political Economy of Development
IP6008 A Globalizing China in the World Economy
IP6009 Monitoring Forecasting & Managing Country Risk and Economic Crisis
IP6016 Energy Security
IP6018 Regional & Global Financial Crisis
IP6019 Political Economy: Classical Theories of Market & State
IP6021 International Economic Institutions & International Economic Policies
IP6022 Indonesian Economy
IP6024 International Trade
IP6025 Comparative Political Economy
IP6901 The Political Economy of Economic Development and Integration in Asia
S6003 Management of Defence Technology
S6005 The Analysis of Defence/Security Policies
S6010 Technology and Military Innovation: A Revolution In Military Affairs Defense Transformation or Something Else?
S6011 Globalisation Security & The State
S6014 The Evolution of Strategic Thought
S6016 The Study of War
S6019 Terrorism Intelligence & Homeland Security
S6020 Chinese Security & Foreign Policy
S6024 Problems in Combating Insurgency & Terrorism
S6025 India's Foreign & Security Policy
S6028 Countering Religiously-Motivated Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Issues & Challenges
S6029 Nuclear Politics in Asia
S6031 Globalisation Maritime Security & Naval Development in the Asia-Pacific
S6034 Jihadist Strategic Thought and Practice
S6035 Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Modern Asia
S6036 War in the Global Village
S6037 Selected Issues in Terrorism and Counterterrorism
S6038 Conflicts in the Digital Age: Information and Cyber Warfare
S6901 Selected Topics in Strategic Studies - Theoretical & Practical Approaches to the Future

Degree requirements
The programme leading to the degree of MSc (International Relations) comprise:
Two core courses
Three Primary and Two elective courses
a dissertation of 10,000 words
OR

Two core courses
Five Primary and Two elective courses

Dissertation
Only students with a 'B+' average TGPA at the end of the first trimester (for full-time student) and 'B+' average CGPA at the end of second trimester (for part-time student) will be allowed to write a dissertation. Others will automatically be expected to take two extra courses.

Candidates who are on the dissertation stream are required to complete a dissertation of 10,000 words. Dissertation topics will be selected in consultation with RSIS Faculty. Writing the dissertation provides students the opportunity to further apply the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills developed in the courses taken as part of the MSc programme.

Academic Units
Successful completion of each MSc programme requires a candidate to have obtained a total of 27 academic units (AUs). Each course/elective is equivalent to three AUs. The dissertation is equivalent to six AUs.

MBA Elective Courses
The MBA courses are offered by the Nanyang Business School. Candidates can choose no more than two MBA elective courses.

MACC Elective Courses (Master of Arts in Contemporary China)
The MACC courses are offered by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Candidates can choose no more than two MACC elective courses.