East African School of Diplomacy and International Studies PDF Print E-mail
 

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the complex nature of decision making in foreign policy and insight into the multi-dimensional dynamics of contemporary diplomacy are crucial not only to foreign relations but also to good global business. Besides, analytical perspectives on the impact of the globalization of politics, trade, finances, environmental issues and economic development require broad-based inter-disciplinary knowledge acquired through intensive study, simulation of real life situations, group discussions and research. The EASDGIS Masters programme in Diplomacy and International Studies is therefore designed to combine depth of specialization in a particular area of study with breadth of knowledge of related disciplines concerned with international affairs.

A student who satisfactorily completes the programme and at once decides to take up employment in Government, the private sector or international organizations will have had the advantage of graduate training that is inter-disciplinary, multi-dimensional and better focused towards solving the challenges of today. Such a student may take several courses from other Faculties, Schools and Departments in the University with the objective of building professional competence and capacity for analyzing policy in a wide range of situations.

The Department of Diplomacy and International Studies:

The Department of Diplomacy and International Studies is one of the three Departments in the East African School of Diplomacy, Governance and International Studies (EASDGIS). The other two are the Department of Good Governance and Peace Studies; and the Department of International Trade Policy and Law.

Vision:

The Department’s vision is to produce Graduates who will explore issues in global diplomacy, economics and trade, poverty and development, human rights, the media, the environment, and international politics in order to shape international affairs now and in the future. The Department envisions producing graduates who will play leadership roles in all tasks that they will undertake with particular emphasis to the politics, inter-state, trade, as well as foreign relations of East Africa and the Great Lakes Region. The Graduates will be expected to be advocates for human rights, strengthen international trade, protect the environment and secure peace and security around the world.

Mission:

The Department’s mission is to prepare participants who will pave the way for innovative policy developments; to prepare Graduates for professionally challenging careers in international affairs including Diplomacy, International Agencies, the Civil Service, teaching, journalism and NGOs; sensitizing them to peace and justice issues as well as conflict resolution in order to promote international co-operation for the benefit of humanity.

Values:

The Department strives to embrace and promote the principles of transparency, accountability, reliability, action based on institutional ethos and provision of quality education as a social responsibility. The Department will instill the values of diligence and loyalty in its Graduates and implore them to follow the lawful directions of their superiors and to treat their colleagues with civility and courtesy in order to promote positive human relations in the international work environment.

Objectives of the programme:

    *      To train participants with career ambitions in jobs with an international dimension, Foreign Service Officers, Staff of NGOs, International Organizations, UN Agencies and Multi-national Corporations in Protocol and Diplomatic skills.

    *      To prepare participants in all aspects of international affairs including Foreign Relations, International Trade, International Politics, International Law, Environmental Issues, Global Communication, Peace and Justice.

    *      To equip participants with the Techniques of Diplomatic Negotiations and Mediation.

    *      To enable participants identify and analyze the causes of war in order to promote effective Peace-making, Conflict Resolution and Management.

    *      To train participants who will promote International Leadership, Co-operation and Democratic Governance.

    *      To extend the frontiers of knowledge through research in Diplomacy and International affairs.

    *      The programme aims at a comprehensive approach to understanding International Affairs.

    *      To become a source of excellence for research in Diplomacy and International Affairs, offering Consultancy Services to Governments, Regional and International bodies, Civil Society Organizations and other Stakeholders.

Entry Requirements:

Admission to the MA in Diplomacy and International Studies will be governed by the University Regulations and Statutes of Uganda Martyrs University, as well as the Regulations of the School of Diplomacy, Governance and International Studies. The major requirement is a good Honours Degree in Arts, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Education or its equivalent from a recognized University or Institution, Practical or professional experience in the International Civil Service, Banking, Diplomacy and related fields. Candidates with a Psc (Passed Staff College) which is equivalent to a degree in Military Science from a reputable Military Academy may, under exceptional circumstances such as passing an aptitude test combined with excellent references from the participants’ superiors may be enrolled.

Facilities

The Classroom space is available as follows:

   1.      Fulltime programme - main campus at Nkozi.
   2.      Evening / weekend programmes – at Kisubi.

As this is an inter-disciplinary programme, it will share Library, Computer Laboratory, Internet and other facilities with the other Schools, Faculties, Institutes and Departments of Uganda Martyrs’ University and the Kisubi Brothers University College.

Commencement, Number of students and duration of the programme:

The School’s initial intake for this programme will be twenty-five students / participants. The taught programme will run in three Semesters of modular study and will cover eight courses followed by a research paper or Dissertation. The minimum duration for the programme will be two years. The Dissertation shall conform to the regulations and guidelines of the UMU School of Postgraduate Studies. To pass the Dissertation, a student shall satisfy the examiners in both written Dissertation and Oral Defense. A project and Research Paper for students who are already in employment as Corporate Executives, Civil Servants and NGO Executives will be accepted for those who have no intention of pursuing PhD studies or Research and Teaching careers. The entire programme has a minimum duration of two years.

Mode of Study:

The programme will be conducted using Lectures, Simulation Exercises, Group Discussions, E-learning, Seminars and Tutorials. Students will be required to take six compulsory core courses, and two from selected electives per Semester. The curriculum offers a total of 24 courses. Each year, the Department will select from the list of relevant courses eight Units to be taken. Because of the inter-disciplinary nature of the programme, Lecturers will come both from the School of Diplomacy, Governance and International Studies, as well as other Faculties, Institutes and Departments of UMU.A number of former Diplomats, Scholars and Professionals will be invited to give talks and to interact with the participants, professional mentoring being an integral part of the programme.

Target Group:

The programme is aimed at attracting interested participants from a wide spectrum of professional and academic backgrounds. These include but not limited to; Foreign Service Officers, Protocol Officers, Policy -makers, Bankers, Senior Military and Police Officers with ambitions to serve in international peace-keeping operations, United Nations Organization Staff, NGO Staff, Multi-National Corporation Executives, Researchers, Members of Parliament interested in International Affairs, Middle to top rank Managers of Institutions of Higher Learning, Lawyers, Head Teachers and others with career ambitions in jobs with an international dimension.

Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Studies

Courses to be offered in 2010-2011 Academic Year

African Diplomacy and International Affairs, Protocol in Uganda, Principles and Techniques of Diplomatic Negotiations and Mediation , International Law and Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, Anthropology of War and Peace in the Great Lakes Region, China and World Politics, Seminar on Contemporary Diplomatic Issues, Research Methods in International Relations and a Dissertation.

Courses to be offered in subsequent years

The East African Foreign Policy Subsystem, International Organizations and Governance, Global Communication I: Theories and Concepts, World Peace and Security, Human Rights Law, International Environmental Issues, History of African Conflicts and Political Institutions, Democracy and its Critics, Vatican Diplomacy and the Middle East, Seminar on the Rise of China and Transformation of Africa, and Globalization of World Politics, Global Communication II Languages: French, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and Swahili, Readings in Chinese Philosophy, Defense and Military Policy, Foreign Policies of East Africa, Classical and Modern Political Thought, Inter-Religious Dialogue, International Trade Policy and Ethics and International Politics.


Interim Director: Mr. Samuel H Baligidde

Contact us:

Tel: (+256) 454660207 Tel: (+256) 0382 410611

Fax: (+256) 0382 410100

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: http://www.fiuc.org/umu/index.php/general-faculties/eastafricanschoolofdiplomacy
Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 09:19