Studijní obor 6701T International Economic and Political Studies

Description of the IEPS Programme

CHARLES UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Two-Year Master's Degree Programme in

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STUDIES (IEPS)

The fall of Communism in 33 countries (representing a quarter of the world’s population and wealth around the world) and leading to the end of the Cold War, ushered in a sequence of dramatic socio-political changes world-wide. The transformation and significant growth of the influence of institutionalised organisations in relation to the individual and society is only paralleled by the events that followed the end of the Second World War. Globalisation has transitioned from the early intellectual realm of economic hypotheses into a series of actual strategies and policies that have changed the world. Over the past 25 years, a new economic and political balance have emerged to challenge the political order of the capitalist incumbents.

As the economic and cultural integration in the world accelerated, the life of individuals, as well as the networks of governance of social groups, enterprises, regions and nations are now as dependent on the evolution of the world affairs as never before in history. The spread between rich and poor is narrowing between countries on the one hand, but is widening almost everywhere within countries, leading to a corrosive concentration of wealth, on the other hand.

However, the drive for uniformity of the globalized world backfires and is challenged by calls for more equality and national, ethnic, cultural or religious authenticity. Similarly, the practices of free unregulated markets are considered in conflict with expectations of social agents at the level of business, national and supra-national arrangements, which has sparked a drift towards rising nationalism, etatism and bureaucracy.

This new character of interdependence amongst the economic, political, and social actors in the world places new demands on both the fundamental understanding of global affairs and the governance of interests and goals of the involved actors. Demand for changing the way societies are organised calls for new analytical competence in the management of public affairs, prudent political leadership, analyses of individual and collective decision making and negotiating practices, as well as for synthetic thinking required for the strategic management of policies, has shown an unprecedented leap in the last decade.

The IEPS Programme aims to offer new perspectives concerning the study of the inter-related economic and political dynamics of our world by providing access to knowledge and skills at a level compatible with the most prestigious universities in Europe and America. IEPS belongs to a family of interdisciplinary M.A. studies known as PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) or IPE (International Politics and Economics). This popularity was earned not only due to the prestige of the universities offering such comprehensive programmes, but also due to the subsequent success of its graduates in the labour markets throughout the world. For more info see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy,_politics,_and_economics.

International Economic and Political Studies is a two-year English-language Master's degree programme that is fully accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education, which seeks to investigate contemporary political, economic and social issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. Although the predominant emphasis in the IEPS Programme is within the fields of economics and political science, students will also be expected to explore philosophical, historical, legal and sociological aspects. This is a unique programme of study in terms of both its content and methods. Students are expected to master the principles of modern non-conventional economic thinking and demonstrate an ability to apply their skills in policy decision-making of supra-national institutions, states, regional governments, corporations and political parties.

Through the core courses, students will gain a theoretical knowledge, historical background, and the methodological tools required to engage in a strategic analysis of the world in which they live; while their highly varied elective courses will allow them to choose their own specialisation, which will bring them closer to their intended career – whether it be in politics, international organisations, public administration, academia, business, local or multinational enterprises, NGOs, media or financial services. Students in the IEPS Programme will be able to take advantage of a wide selection of international academic exchange programmes arranged with renowned universities in the EU, the United States, Australia and Asia.

The IEPS programme has been intentionally designed to take advantage of the multidisciplinary nature of the Faculty, as well as the network of contacts within Prague’s unique international environment and exceptionally rich cultural activities. The programme offers an education in various academic disciplines, provided by five institutes of the Faculty of Social Sciences: those of economics, political science, sociology, communication and territorial studies). Therefore, the programme consists of a course curriculum that acts as a pathway of stepping stones towards the development of a student’s comprehensive understanding. The programme offers an opportunity to gain valuable analytical skills and practical background knowledge that can be applied in professional life and further academic pursuits.

Study prerequisites

Applicants to the IEPS Programme come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds. It is not necessary to have previously studied politics or economics. Admission may be granted also to students whose previous studies were in the humanities, commerce, law, or even mathematics, technical, or natural sciences. Although a background in mathematics is not formally required for admission, it is an advantage for IEPS applicants to have an aptitude for maths and statistics, especially those students who wish to specialise in economics and finance. All students must have a good command of the English language in order to successfully complete all of the course requirements, including the ability to write presentations and discuss specialised topics.

Language of instruction: English.

Regarding the specific Conditions of Study, you can find more information on  http://fsveng.fsv.cuni.cz/FSVEN-362.html and its links.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STUDIES - J14IEPS622

Academic supervisor:  doc. Ing. Vladimír Benáček, CSc.

Coordinator: Mgr. Martin Riegl, Ph.D.

Course structure:

10 required (mandatory) classes (I):	64 credits
Elective classes in Module #1	at least 10 credits
Elective classes in Module #2	at least 10 credits
Elective classes in Module #3	at least 15 credits
Required credits from all three modules (II):	44 credits

Remark to electives: the difference between (10+10+15) and 44 credits must be filled by courses picked freely from any of the three modules.

Remaining optional courses (III)	12 credits
TOTAL CREDITS	120 credits

Having reached at least 120 credits in the required structure, the students are qualified for taking the concluding Final State Examination and defending the Master Thesis.

Their successful passing is a condition for getting conferred the M.A. degree. It is expected that the studies are concluded in two years. The maximum length of the study is 5 years.

Composition of the final state examination

(JDIP01) Defence of the Diploma Thesis

(JSZ485) Economics

(JSZ486) Political science

The list of MANDATORY CLASSES/COURSES - J#01010

Total number of credits: 64

WS = Winter Semester (Oct. - Feb.)

SS = Summer Semester (Feb. - June)

Prerequisites, corequisites, alternative and incompatible courses

The list of ELECTIVE CLASSES/COURSES

MODULE #1 - ECONOMICS - J#0101114

(Provider: Institute of Economic Studies)

Minimal number of required credits: 10

Prerequisites, corequisites, alternative and incompatible courses

MODULE #2 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - J#01012

(Provider: Institute of Political Studies)

Minimal number of required credits: 10

Prerequisites, corequisites, alternative and incompatible courses

MODULE #3 - INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES - J#0101314

(Main providers: remaining three institutes of FSV UK)

Minimal number of required credits: 15

Prerequisites, corequisites, alternative and incompatible courses

Poznámka Správy SIS:

J14IEPS622