Programme aims

The 2nd cycle degree programme in International Relations trainsspecialists able to critically analyse political systems, their mutualrelationships , geopolitical areas, the reasons for tensions and conflicts,conflict resolution methods, and the political and economic role ofinternational organisations, including the EU.

In particular, the programme aims to provide sound advanced training,extending and strengthening students' knowledge of the international relationsapproach to historical, political, economic and politological subject areas.Teaching methods include seminars, written assignments, oral presentations, thestudy of complex texts, use of case studies and simulations. These activitiesallow students to develop and apply their own personal and original approach toresearch and study.

The interdisciplinary approach and in-depth study of differentgeo-political areas help to broaden students' knowledge and skills, allowingthem to develop methodological and analytical skills for problem solving in theworking contexts where graduates will operate . Through methodological courseunits and through course units that address traditional themes and issues inlight of technological changes, this degree programme provides students withtools that will allow them to gain the competencies they need to tackle arapidly and constantly changing work environment.

Advanced and in-depth knowledge of historical, legal, economic andpolitical themes provide graduates with the flexible, professional profile demandedby the external stakeholders consulted. Graduates will be able to organise andmanage projects, apply their knowledge and skills to analyse and solve newproblems, and develop those abilities, which, combined with the knowledge andskills acquired, are useful in negotiation and conflict mediation situations.For this purpose, teaching methods include seminar discussions, enhancingstudents' ability to summarise complex texts or texts on specific cases bothorally and in written form. The preparation of the dissertation also helps tobroaden the students' communication and presentation skills.

The degree programme includes some core course units on the evolutionof the international political and economic system, providing the basis formore specialised course units. The curriculum includes groups of four courseunits, offering specialisation in functional or geopolitical subjects. A wide range of elective course units areavailable in politological, economic, historical, sociological and legal areas,developing flexible, interdisciplinary graduates. Language skills areparticularly important professional tools. The level B2 of the English languageproficiency is required, and the programme also includes the study of anotherEuropean language (French, German or Spanish). Credits are granted in order togive students the opportunity to attend workshops to enhance, with a suitable didactic format,specific linguistic, methodological and design thinking skills necessary fortheir professional career.
Students specialise by choosing among 4 specific curricula: A) Internationalaffairs, B) European Affairs, C) Forecasting, Innovation and Change e D) Crime,Justice and Security.
A) “International affairs” curriculum: it analyses international relations froma geopolitical and strategic, security policy, conflict management andpolitical crisis prevention point of view.
B) “European Affairs” curriculum: it analyses Europe, both as EU and as a groupof countries, from a historical, institutional and comparative point of view,as well as offering optional course units on the main European public policies. C) “Forecasting, Innovation and Change”curriculum: it provides students with a set of analytical tools to interpretand foresee technological, environmental, social and geopolitical changes on aglobal scale through a set of methodological tools aimed at implementingforesight thinking while dealing with traditional topics of interest in thefield of International Relations.
D) “Crime, Justice and Security” curriculum: it trains students to analyse theevolution of safety and contemporary threats by analysing transnational players(such as insurgent and criminal groups) and the various policies on the subjectat international, transnational and cross-border level, with aninterdisciplinary approach.

In order to trainprofessionals who have the skills required to understand and operateeffectively in a rapidly changing international scenario, the degree programmefirst of all allows students to acquire advanced skills in various fields:economic, political, historical, linguistic and, where necessary, sociologicaland legal. Specifically, students are offered several course units on politicalaspects, which will allow them, thanks to the tools of modern social sciences,to address increasingly multifaceted issues where the national andinternational aspects of political (but also social, economic and legal)processes are closely linked. The degree programme also offers students theopportunity to approach methodological aspects through dedicated course units,as well as through laboratory experiences that will allow them to acquire thetools (IT and statistical) and soft skills they will need to enter the labourmarket. The economic aspect is emphasised by offering course units that allowstudents to focus on significant aspects concerning the functioning of international economy and finance. In thesecond year, an adequate number of course units are planned to allow students to deepen their knowledge in all areas of learning. Ininternational relations, special attention is given to learning activities thatexplain the complex challenges of the modern international system (fromgeopolitical competition to the so-called new threats). Students can thenfurther their education by deepening their knowledge of the differentgeopolitical areas, also from a perspective that takes into consideration theirhistorical evolution and institutional and legal aspects.