SPS Second Cycle
The Social and Political Sciences Program is one among several degree programs in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at International University of Sarajevo (IUS). SPS offers interdisciplinary courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Master of Arts in Social and Political Sciences is purposefully designed for students who have already completed their Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Political Sciences or related disciplines. In terms of knowledge and skills, SPS graduate program is but meaningful continuation of education from undergraduate to graduate level. Besides, graduate programs also stress the acquisition of a second and the third languages, which are considered as inevitable for the scholarly and research pursuits.
Master of Arts in SPS provides students with the opportunity to specialise in the field of European Studies or Balkan Studies. Under these graduate programs candidates should also focus on a particular area of study by selecting courses accordingly. Besides, graduate candidates will specialize furthermore by working on specialized master thesis topic. Apart from an emphasis on European and Balkan studies, special attention throughout masters program will be given to historical, cultural, political and socio-economic features of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey.
European Studies program examines the context of regional integration processes and actual functioning of the European Union. In this regard this program ensures that students become familiar with historical, political, social, economic aspects of the integration processes. Students are also equipped with statistical and research skills as to conduct research related to European policy-making, security, political and economic systems.
Balkan Studies program core courses and area elective courses are designed in such a way as to provide to students historical, socio-political and economic aspects of Southeastern Europe: Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and the Yugoslav successor states. Transnational approaches in the study of the Balkans highlights diverse, multicultural and multiethnic features of the region. This program will equip students with the statistical and methodological skills and knowledge as to conduct various researches and policy studies on related to the Balkans.
Master of Arts in SPS is designed to cater needs of international students however special emphasis is given to candidates from Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina as both countries have been undergoing unique socio-political and economic changes and transformations. Besides, both countries are in the process of fulfilling the requirements of joining the EU and they are in need of experts in both European and Balkan studies. Therefore, there is demand for such graduates in governmental sector, business, NGO-s, education, media and others.
Master of Arts in SPS provides an opportunity for candidates, especially for IUS graduates, to start their graduate education. After successful completion of 240 ECTS at undergraduate level students could proceed with their masters program that requires candidates to complete additional 60 ECTS. Therefore, SPS graduate program was purposefully designed to complement its undergraduate program. Considering the fact that SPS undergraduate students gain knowledge and skills from political sciences, sociology and history they will be in a position to follow much more advanced courses related to European and Balkan Studies.
SPS undergraduate program develops student’s analytical, critical and creative skills. Therefore, at graduate level SPS students will focus much more on research and policy analysis. Students are expected to conduct research related to European and Balkan issues. They will be especially in a position to conduct original research into aspects of European integration processes.
Objectives of the study program are:
· To enhance students’ knowledge of European history, culture and civilization;
· To introduce students to European economic, socio-political, legal and strategic systems;
· To ensure that students know main features of EU and the process of integration;
· To make students familiar with the Balkan history, culture and civilization;
· To explore geopolitical, economic, socio-political and legal characteristics of the Balkan states;
· To make students familiar with the comparative economic, legal and political integration processes of the Balkan states;
· To provide to students knowledge and skills as to prepare them for their studies at doctoral level;
· To enhance students’ knowledge related to the issues of international relations, global political economy, diplomacy, foreign policy and security.
At the completion of the MA program the students will be able:
· To interpret European history, culture and civilization and to relate it to present-day EU;
· To conduct research related to European economic, socio-political, legal and strategic systems;
· To assess processes of integration of candidate status countries and especially of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina;
· To analyze integration processes of the Balkan states by dealing with the current research themes;
· To demonstrate leadership skills and knowledge at both the private and the public sectors;
· To employ diplomatic, foreign policy and security knowledge and skills;
· To analyze political and socio-economic features of the EU and the Balkan countries;
· To comprehend trends and developments in international politics, economics, diplomacy, foreign policy and law.
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Diploma and Degree Awarded |
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Profile |
Degree in Social and Political Sciences |
Degree in Bosnian Language |
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· Social and Political Sciences (European Studies)
· Social and Political Sciences (Balkan Studies) |
· Master of Arts (M.A.)
· Master of Arts (M.A.) |
· Magistar društvenih nauka
· Magistar društvenih nauka |
Program Curricula
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MASTER OF ARTS
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (SPS)
(European Studies) |
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Course Group |
ECTS
Credits |
Course Code and Name |
ECTS
Credits |
|
Required Courses
|
36
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SPS501 |
Methodology in Social Sciences |
6 |
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SPS502 |
Advanced Studies in European Politics |
6 |
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SPS503 |
Intellectual History of Europe |
6 |
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SPS504 |
Comparative Political Economy of Europe |
6 |
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SPS505 |
The European Union and the International System |
6 |
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SPS506 |
Comparative European Politics |
6 |
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Elective Courses
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12 |
SPS507 |
European Union Law |
6 |
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SPS508 |
Issues of Cultural Identity in the EU |
6 |
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SPS509 |
EU and Energy Politics |
6 |
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SPS510 |
History and Theory of the European Integrations |
6 |
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With the approval of an Academic Advisor students can take any other 2 elective courses from the related graduate programs |
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Master Thesis |
12 |
Must be completed during the final year of the study |
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Total |
60 |
60 ECTS credits are needed to graduate
|
|
MASTER OF ARTS
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (SPS)
(Balkan Studies) |
|
Course Group |
ECTS
Credits |
Course Code and Name |
ECTS
Credits |
|
Required Courses
|
36
|
SPS501 |
Methodology in Social Sciences |
6 |
|
SPS511 |
History of the Balkans |
6 |
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SPS512 |
Political Economy of the Balkans |
6 |
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SPS513 |
Peace and Conflict Studies in the Balkans |
6 |
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SPS514 |
Politics, Religion and Society of the Balkans |
6 |
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SPS515 |
International Politics and the Balkans |
6 |
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Elective Courses
|
12 |
SPS516 |
Balkans in World Culture |
6 |
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SPS517 |
Balkans in Media and Cinema |
6 |
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SPS518 |
Turkish Foreign Policy towards Balkans |
6 |
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SPS519 |
Contemporary Political Systems in the Balkans |
6 |
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With the approval of an Academic Advisor students can take any other 2 elective courses from the related graduate programs |
|
Master Thesis |
12 |
Must be completed during the final year of the study |
|
Total |
60 |
60 ECTS credits are needed to graduate |
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