Master Program / Curriculum

Academic program of the MA in Political Science class is divided into three semesters. Two types of courses will be offered at the Academy – Continuous Semester Courses and Modules.

 

Continuous semester courses run throughout semester and have 14 full class weeks. These courses meet twice a week for 90 min (1 & 1/2 hours) classes or once a week for 180 min (3 hours) and are 3 credit hours. GPA letter grades are given for continuous semester courses. The only exception are 1) a course on Academic Writing and Honesty, which meets ones a week for 120 min (2 hours) and is 2 credit hours; 2) Colloquium that meets once a week for 2 hours to discuss articles and books specifically selected by the Academy’s faculty and is 1 credit hour and a Pass/Fail basis. Both courses are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. The strengths of continuous courses are that they will provide the students with the overview of the fields in political science as well as introduce them into the theories, approaches, paradigms, and methods that exist in the discipline.

 

Modules are set up for two intensive weeks and run Mondays through Thursdays for 360 min (6 hours). Modules are graded on Pass/Fail basis only. All modules are 1 credit hour each. These are to introduce the students into practice and real-life examples under the topics assigned for each module.

Autumn Semester lasts from September through December (four months). Five continuous semester courses will be offered in the first semester (all are compulsory).

Course	Credits	Time Frame
Academic Writing and Honesty	2	Sep 1/Oct 20 & Nov 6/Dec 22
Qualitative/Quantitative Research Methods	3	Sep 1/Oct 20 & Nov 6/Dec 22
Approaches & Issues in International Relations*	3	Sep 1/Oct 20 & Nov 6/Dec 22
Approaches & Issues in Political Theory*	3	Sep 1/Oct 20 & Nov 6/Dec 22
Contemporary History & Politics of Central Asia	3	Sep 1/Oct 20 & Nov 6/Dec 22
Colloquium	1	Sep 1/Oct 20 & Nov 6/Dec 22
Total credits in the Autumn Semester	15

 

* Students MUST write research papers in two Approaches & Issues courses in the autumn semester.

 

Additionally, one modular course is offered in the first semester.

 

Module	Credits	Time Frame
Prevention, management & resolution of conflicts	1	Oct23/Nov 3
Total Modular Credits, Autumn Semester	1

 

Students will earn 16 credits in the Autumn Semester.

Spring semester lasts from January to May (four months). Four continuous semester courses will be offered in the second semester, out of which TWO are chosen individually by students. Students MUST write research papers in the courses of their choice.

 

Course	Credits	Time Frame
Topics in Comparative Politics:
Processes and Institutions	3	Jan 22/Mar 9 & Mar 26/May 11
Topics in Political Theory: Political Islam	3	Jan 22/Mar 9 & Mar 26/May 11
Topics in International Relations:
International Law and Human Rights	3	Jan 22/Mar 9 & Mar 26/May 11
Developmental Studies & Political Economy	3	Jan 22/Mar 9 & Mar 26/May 11
Credits earned in the Spring Semester	6 out of 12 offered

 

Additionally, five modular courses are offered in the second semester. Attendance is compulsory.

 

Module	Credits	Time Frame
The OSCE	1	Jan 29/Feb 9
Peace & Security Challenges in Central Asia	1	Feb 19/Mar 2
Sustainable Development: Economic, Social, &Environmental Aspects	1	Mar 12/Mar 23
Democratization	1	Apr 2/Apr 13
Mission Preparation Training	1	May 15/May 26
Total Modular Credits Spring Semester	5

 

Students will earn 11 credits in the Spring Semester.

Summer semester lasts from June through October (five months). During the third semester students will be fulfilling their internships and writing the graduation theses (both are compulsory).

 

Course	Credits	Time Frame
Internship (min. 2 months)	3	June through August
Graduation Thesis	6	June through October
Total Credits in the Summer Semester	9

 

Students will earn 9 credits in the Summer Semester.

 

Graduation Requirements	Credits
Continuous Semester Courses	21
Modules	6
Internship	3
Graduation Thesis	6
TOTAL credits to be earned	36