1. MIRMASTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 5 YEARS EUROPEAN ACCREDITATION FROM AQAAA (Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria)

2. Goals The aim of the Master’s Degree in International Relations is to train experts and young professionals capable of taking on challenging jobs and playing leadership roles in the international arena. The overarching goals of the MIR program are: to promote excellence in the study of international relations and regional studies to train professionals capable of taking on challenging jobs and playing leadership roles in the international arena;; and to provide a solid foundation for scholars who want to pursue doctoral study and research in international relations.

3. Objectives The objectives of MIR program are: to provide students with graduate-level knowledge and analytical skills needed for employment in public, no-profit, and private organizations with an international orientation as well as government agencies and higher education institution; and to educate graduate students for ethical service to their society and the broader regional and international community. to prepare graduates for doctoral studies in areas relevant to international relations

4. Learning Objectives The MIR program’s learning objectives are to ensure that graduates have: A satisfactory knowledge of: the major paradigms of international relations; the nature of the international system and its relationship to individuals, socio- economic and cultural groups, states, international organizations, international law, global civil society, and private multinational corporations; the economic perspectives on global, international and regional governance; ethics as they apply to international affairs; international organizations and their management and leadership, and the impact of development paradigms on political, social and cultural changes; Central Asian security issues, geopolitics, economics and integration in the international and global system And the necessary cognitive, inter-personal and self-management skills to: undertake supervised independent research, involving the synthesis and application of theoretical constructs to topics in the fields of international relations, international political economy, developmental studies, and regional studies with a specific focus on Central Asia communicate ideas and information clearly and effectively in written and oral English; use information technology for the retrieval, analysis and presentation of information; and work effectively with others in the pursuit of common objectives.

5. Intended Learning Outcomes At the successful completion of this Program, graduates will be able to: 1.identify and analyze the structure and fundamental dynamic processes of the international system; 2.describe and articulate the major paradigms and theoretical perspectives within the discipline; 3.explain the behavior and interactions of the primary actors within the international system, so as to be able to construct basic models of policy decision-making; 4.discuss and appraise the impact of culture, history, geography, and power and wealth differentials on the formulation of foreign policies of different states; 5.appraise the impact of social classes, ethnic groups, social/political movements and interest groups on the formation of foreign policy in various states; 6.evaluate the role of global institutions, international law, and fundamental values or ethical considerations in the formulation of foreign policy; 7.utilize the skills and knowledge noted above to frame the policies of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states in a global context; and 8.conduct original research and develop the capacity to communicate that knowledge via written and oral presentations at a satisfactory level in English.

6. CURRICULUM Requirements for the MIR: Program Foundation courses  13 credits 24 ECTS Program Major courses  24 credits 40 ECTS Internship  4 credits 5 ECTS Thesis  6 credits 20 ECTS Comprehensive Exam  1 credit 1 ECTS Total Required for Graduation 48 credits 90 ECTS

7. Program-specific Prerequisite Coursework EITHER POL2511 Fundamentals of Political Science OR IRL2512 Fundamentals of International Relations The prerequisites may be waived at the discretion of the departmental Curriculum Committee if completed during the course of undergraduate study (or if part of the agreement with partner universities).

8. Program Foundation required courses (13 credits equivalent to 24 ECTS) Course CodeCourse TitleCreditsECTS IRL 5010.2Professional Foreign Language for International Relations 23 IRL 5536.2Management of International Institutions and Organizations 23 IRL5517Political Psychology and International Relations 33 IRL5513Theories of International Relations 310 IRL5515International Political Economy 35 TOTAL1324

9. Program Major Required courses (15 credits  25 ECTS) Students need to take: All courses from Group A: - Central Asia in Global Politics - Ethics in International Affairs - Research Methods/Thesis I One course from Group B: - Developmental Studies - International Institutions and Law One course from group C - Master Seminar in Regional Studies - Master Seminar in International Relations

10. Program Major Elective courses (9 credits  15 ECTS) Students need to take any 3 of the following elective courses: - Asian Security: Theory and Practice - Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy in the Post-Communist World - Emerging Powers and Markets - Political Geography - History of International Relations - Government and Politics in Central Asia - Russian Foreign Policy - Petro Politics - Central Asia – Russia Relations - Central Asia – United States Relations - European Union: Politics and Foreign Policy - Foreign Policy: Doctrines and Strategies - Master Seminar in Regional Studies (if not taken as major required) - Master Seminar in International Relations (if not taken as major required)

11. Other requirements (11 credits  26 ECTS) -Internship -Thesis II -State Exam -Thesis III The State Exam and Thesis III should be taken after completion of all other courses

12. IMRCEES Students -30 ECTS courses to be chosen among the elective courses focusing on Eurasia (each course is 5 ECTS). It is strongly recommended to take: Central Asia in Global Politics, Master Seminar in IR and Master Seminar in Regional Studies + 3 more courses (with a language option – Russian or Kazakh – at different levels) - Thesis III