Detailed information
Detailed information
MASTER IN AREA STUDIES (MAS)
The MAS interdisciplinary programme offers expert knowledge and analytical-synthetic skills focused on modern history and current developments of Europe, Eurasia, and North America. The programme provides the students with tools for social science analysis and allows them to build their own thematic and territorial profile according to their individual needs and future career plans.
Graduates of MAS programme will be endowed with internationally recognizable multi-disciplinary training in the study of international affairs. They will be able to analyze individual topics arising within the region of their interest from a multidisciplinary point of view in terms of social sciences (sociology, economics, political science, and international relations) and modern history. Programme graduates will be able to understand current issues in their historical, societal, political, and economic context. Mastering several foreign languages, they will be capable of reflecting local debate and local perspectives on transnational issues. Thanks to a systematic focus on academic writing, graduates will be capable of producing texts of a high professional and formal quality. They will be able to deliver qualified comments on the developments of states and societies of the studied regions.
The programme graduates will become highly-skilled employees in the civil service and diplomacy, NGOs and international institutions as well as in private companies and mass-media. They will be well prepared for a variety of academic pursuits and will possess a wide range of knowledge and skills required in various social science fields.
Course Structure
To complete MAS programme, students have to acquire a total of 120 ECTS credits, defend their Master Thesis and successfully pass the final State Examination.
|
Compulsory Courses |
60 ECTS |
|
Optional Courses |
minimum 48, maximum 60 ECTS |
|
Electives Courses |
maximum 12 ECTS |
The following compulsory courses represent 60 ECTS credits.
- qualitative methods in social sciences
- quantitative methods in social sciences
- academic writing
- Master thesis seminar I-II
- language course I-II
Remaining 60 ECTS credits are to be earned by participating in optional and elective courses offered by FSV UK as well as other faculties of Charles University.
MAS Specializations
Students enrolled in MAS programme choose one of the following specialized tracks:
- Transition Studies
- Integration Studies
- Globalizing US Studies
In order to accomplish MAS, students must obtain 120 ECTS credits and pass a state exam, which comprises defence of the master thesis. The curriculum is composed of seven compulsory courses (60 ECTS credits in total), optional courses (at least 48 ECTS credits in total), and elective courses (maximum 12 ECTS credits). The specialized track, which students choose by the end of the first semester, requires at least 36 ECTS credits obtained from a pool of optional courses flagged for the specific specialization. In addition, students are requested to submit a master thesis that falls within the scope of the specialization.
Curriculum overview
|
Compulsory courses |
ECTS |
|
Qualitative methods in social science |
6 |
|
Quantitative methods in social science |
6 |
|
Academic writing |
6 |
|
Master thesis seminar I |
15 |
|
Master thesis seminar II |
15 |
|
Language course I |
6 |
|
Language course II |
6 |
|
total for compulsory courses |
(60) |
|
Optional courses - specialization track |
|
|
Optional courses selected from the pool of specialization courses |
min. 36 |
|
Optional courses |
|
|
Other courses from the pool of programme’s optional courses |
max. 24 |
|
total for optional courses |
(min. 48) |
|
Elective courses |
|
|
Any courses taught at Charles University |
max. 12 |
|
TOTAL |
120 |
|
Final state exam, including defence of the Master thesis |
Examples of the optional courses for each of the specializations are listed below.
Transition Studies
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
Communism in Central and Eastern Europe. Idea, rule and aftermath |
6 |
|
Constitutional Transformation of the Central and East European Countries |
6 |
|
Democracy Promotion: history, theories, practice |
4 |
|
Economic transformation in East Central and Southeastern Europe |
6 |
|
Economic transformation in the post-Soviet area |
6 |
|
Ethnic Conflicts in Central and Eastern Europe |
6 |
|
Ethno-Political Conflicts in the Caucasus |
6 |
|
Modernizing the Balkans |
6 |
|
Oil and Gas in the Post Soviet Area |
6 |
|
Parties and Party Systems in Southeastern Europe after 1989 |
6 |
|
The Transformation of the Communist Successor Parties in Central Europe and Influence of the West European Leftists |
6 |
|
Problems of the Post-Soviet Space |
6 |
|
Russia after 1991 |
6 |
|
Post-Soviet Central Eurasia |
6 |
Note: Prague Civil Society Centre will be a partner of the Transformation Studies track.
Integration Studies
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
Legal Framework of the European Union |
6 |
|
Theories of European Integration and Their Application |
6 |
|
European Economic Integration |
6 |
|
EU Policies |
6 |
|
European Union in International Affairs |
6 |
|
Grand Debates of European Integration |
6 |
|
European Comparative Politics and Society |
6 |
|
Comparative Capitalisms of Western Europe |
6 |
|
Historical Roots of European Integration |
6 |
|
Europe of States, Regions and Citizens |
6 |
|
Cohesion Policy of the EU in Central and East European Countries |
6 |
|
EU in its Southeastern Neighbourhood: Policies and Expectations |
6 |
|
Europe in the French mind: a historical–civilizational point of view |
6 |
|
Knowledge Policies in Europe |
6 |
Globalizing US Studies
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
American Thoughts and Thinkers |
6 |
|
Cultural Pluralism and Antidiscrimination in Western Europe and USA |
6 |
|
Introduction to the US Legal System: European Perspective |
6 |
|
Landmarks in 20th Century U.S. History and Their Interpretations |
6 |
|
Major Issues in Contemporary Public Debates in the U.S. |
6 |
|
Major Problems in Political Economy in North American Context |
6 |
|
Promoting democracy abroad: the US and the EU in third countries |
5 |
|
Cold War in Documents 1945-1962 |
6 |
|
Cold War in Documents 1963-1991 |
6 |
|
The Special Relationship between the United States and Great Britain |
5 |
|
The US and Europe after the Cold War |
6 |
|
The US and international and regional organizations |
5 |
|
Transatlantic dialogues: Current issues in US-EU relations |
5 |
|
U.S. Foreign Policy |
6 |
Recommended curriculum of the Master in Area Studies
1st semester
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
Qualitative methods in social science |
6 |
|
Academic writing |
6 |
|
Language course I |
6 |
|
Optional course I |
6 |
|
Optional course II |
6 |
|
Elective course I |
6 |
|
TOTAL FOR SEMESTER |
36 |
2nd semester
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
Quantitative methods in social science |
6 |
|
Language course II |
6 |
|
Optional course III (specialized track) |
6 |
|
Optional course IV (specialized track) |
6 |
|
Optional course V (specialized track) |
6 |
|
Elective course II |
6 |
|
TOTAL FOR SEMESTER |
36 |
3rd semester
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
Master thesis seminar I |
15 |
|
Optional course VI (specialized track) |
6 |
|
Optional course VII (specialized track) |
6 |
|
TOTAL FOR SEMESTER |
27 |
4th semester
|
Course |
ECTS |
|
Master thesis seminar II |
15 |
|
Optional course VIII (specialized track) |
6 |
|
TOTAL FOR SEMESTER |
21 |
