Programme Profile

WMD Nonproliferation, Nuclear Policy and Global Security is the first Russian-American master’s programme at MGIMO, taught by leading academics and practitioners from Russia, the United States, and other countries.

The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), and PIR Center have partnered to develop the Dual Degree in Nonproliferation Studies.

Our Aim

The programme prepares students for professional careers in the nonproliferation field in national governments, international organizations, academia, think tanks, and the private sector. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on global security, history, science and technology, area studies, public policy, and research methods—with a particular emphasis on practical skills.... [-]

Programme Overview

The HSE University - St. Petersburg Master's Programme in "Comparative Politics of Eurasia" responds to the growing strategic importance of the wider Eurasian region, including the former Soviet Union and the countries of East Asia, as well as the associated need for both national and international expertise in the comparative politics of this vital region. The programme provides for a discipline-based professional training in Comparative Politics complemented with an advanced, specialist understanding of the unique and challenging political and social environment of the Eurasian region.

The programme curriculum is developed around a core conceptual training in comparative political science and a comprehensive empirical training in contemporary methods of social science research. Alongside this core, the programme offers an exciting range of elective courses in two broad groups. The first group, augmenting the core training in comparative political science covers politics and society in contemporary Russia; the social and political transformations of Central Asia, China and Vietnam; and the political economy of post-communist development. A second, the more multi-disciplinary grouping of courses includes those that cover: the international relations of Russia, Central Asia, China and Vietnam; Russia’s energy policies and dilemmas; and Russia’s geopolitical standing in the context of the wider Arctic region.... [-]

About programme

Comparative Social Research

In our globalized world of today a huge variety of nations, cultures and societies comprised of an even bigger variance of political, ethical, religious and other groups, are interconnected and develop in relation with each other. That is why it is of utmost importance to find solutions to contemporary problems and conflicts, which take into account the characteristics and conditions of all societies and social groups concerned. But in order to judge if policies around the globe are successful in solving today's problems, we need to understand and explain, how societies in their plural existence evolve and why they do this in a particular way. To do so is the approach of comparative social research!... [-]

About the Programme

A large part of historical studies is conducted as applied research. Using and interpreting historical data enables historian to construct "usable pasts" as a tool for understanding the present and imagining possible and alternative avenues of future development. Applied history embraces methods and practices dealing with identification, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of historical artefacts, texts, structures, and landscapes. In one part of our training, we focus on material objects in history and their meanings within the framework of heritage and memory studies. The other part of the training will encompass a critical approach to the politics of circulation of historically formed discourses of identity and legitimacy in present-day society. The two-pronged approach to the complex problem of historical legacy and heritage will fill out the gap in professional training in history and provide a platform for creating interactive processes that link the historical object, the historian, and the public.... [-]

Programme overview

The Programme was developed on the basis of the American model of teaching Public Policy Analysis - namely of Public Policy Institute of the Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University, where the head of this programme was teaching in 1993-1995. Since 2006 the Programme accepts foreign students and provides courses in English as HSE contribution to the Bologna Process. We are constantly developing and improving the programme and involve representatives from the leading Russian, European and American universities, most influential think tanks and renowned international organizations into the teaching process.

The Programme has two concentrations: Public Policy Analysis, and Human Rights and Democratic Governance. Concentration in Public Policy Analysis is the outcome of the search for the ultimate professional education programme and combines theoretical and practical training with the cutting-edge international and Russian experience in the field. The concentration in Human Rights and Democratic Governance was created on the basis of the UN Programme. The programme was the first of its kind in Russia and is analogous to the European Master in Human Rights.... [-]

Programme Overview

The mission of our PEP programme is to provide an opportunity for a cohort of bright, ambitious and motivated students to master two basic areas – economics and political science – as well as to broaden their philosophical outlook, develop critical thinking and social communication skills, and enhance their social and academic capital.

The PEP programme is designed for those graduates of undergraduate programmes of participating faculties at HSE and other leading universities who aspire to strengthen their intellectual capacity and acquire additional skills, or to master new professional and career tracks. It is intended to provide new opportunities for the most talented young people motivated to absorb new ideas, tools, and techniques developed in the social sciences. It is open either to the graduates with a solid background in quantitative methods (mathematics, econometrics, computer modelling, etc.) striving to apply them to the most pressing social and economic problems, as well as to young philosophers and social theorists concerned with gaps and controversies in contemporary social sciences.... [-]

Programme Overview

The MA programme has the distinction of being the only one given in English for Asian Studies in Russia, using written materials in the languages of the area as the basic research resource.

What are the benefits of the programme?

As will be seen, the programme is transparently formulated to allow our students to enhance their career prospects internationally in academics, diplomacy, non-governmental and governmental corporations. Our partners – with either formal contracts allowing credit exchange or informal relationships developed over the decades – receive our students with great anticipation, knowing our reputation and glad to have such dedicated academics contributing to international research.... [-]

Programme Overview

Globalization has created a need for highly skilled professionals capable of working in a global environment. This Master’s programme explores state-society relations and economic development in modern Asia, predominantly South Asia and the Middle East, through comparative and international political economy, economic development theory, and comparative anthropological sociology. Its approach is grounded in the context of retrospective genesis methodology of Asian Studies.

The programme provides students with a range of skills required to understand the processes that are taking place in contemporary Asia. The programme is distinguished by its inter-disciplinary approach, which enables students to supplement area studies with courses on international trade, investment, and business, thus providing them with necessary tools to analyze economic, political and cultural issues relevant to Asian countries. A number of courses will focus specifically on relations between the Russian Federation and countries in the region. The programme's academic content is complemented by research projects and opportunities for language training.... [-]

About the Programme

The main aim of the "Population and Development" programme is to train the specialists who will be ready for practical development problems solution. These challenges could be results of rapid changes in social and economic sphere or on the other hand be set by the public administration on different levels to prevent the negative consequences of population changes or to utilize the positive demographic impact.

The programme develops students’ skills in applying multi-disciplinary analytic approaches to population development and resource allocation issues that are essential for management and public administration in numerous sectors. The specialists graduated from our programme will have skills and knowledge in principals of population changes and social economic development. They will be able to use modern methods of data analysis and interpretation of the results. They will understand the capacities and limitations of the basic instruments of development and their practical usage.... [-]

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme targets Russian and international students with an ambition to become experts in world politics, diplomats, members of international organisations and national government bodies. The programme trains professionals for international organisations, diplomatic missions, governmental and non-governmental organisations and expert organisations. SPbU School of International Relations is a member of Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (www.apsia.org). A wide range of partner-universities for academic exchange. The majority of students on the programme come from the USA, Mexico, France, Germany, Turkey, China, Marokko, Brazil, South Korea, Japan and other countries. The academic staff involved in the programme have completed training and internships at US, European and Asian universities. They have PhDs from European universities or hold Russian degrees of Candidate of Sciences and/or Doctor of Sciences. ... [-]

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Intercultural Communication: German-Russian Dialogue

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

Unique courses developed by SPbU leading experts. The programme is taught in German with some courses taught by native speakers. Students have an opportunity to study at one of the partner universities.

MAIN COURSES

Introduction to History of German Theatre and Cinema History of Germany in German Literature History of German Culture Creative Writing in the Theory and Practice of Teaching German as a Foreign Language Linguistic Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication German and Russian Idioms in the Dialogue of Cultures German and Russian Phraseology in Intercultural Communication German Philosophy in the German Cultural Context German Translation Problems in Interlingual Communication Comparative Typology of German and Russian: Grammar and Lexis Theoretical and Applied Aspects of Functional Stylistics: The Style of Opinion Journalism, the Scientific Style, the Official Style ... [-]

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

Many years of experience in teaching African languages combined with a comprehensive set of courses relevant for African studies. Students have access to unique electronic resources in Russian and foreign languages as well as to a dedicated collection of the SPbU M. Gorky Scientific Library. The Library holds over 300 copies of fiction, science and education books in all the languages of the programme. It boasts a collection of ancient manuscripts and block books common in Eastern culture as well as rare and antiquarian books and lithographs.

MAIN COURSES

African Oral Tradition African Literatures African Languages and General Linguistics History of Africa African Religions Introduction to African Studies Geography and Contemporary Position of African Countries African Art African Languages (Compulsory and Elective): Swahili, Hausa, Amharic, Bamana ... [-]

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

The first and the only programme on Strategic and Arms Control studies in Russia at the present time. It offers a unique focus on in-depth study of current military-political problems. Over the course of the program, students will receive training to prepare them for analytical and practical work in national and international organizations which work to find solutions to modern military-political issues.

MAIN COURSES

Strategy and Politics in XIX–XXI centuries Strategic Analysis Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation Military Innovations and Strategy

KEY SKILLS

Possession of categorical apparatus in the fields of military strategy, defense policy and international security policy Basic project planning and implementation skills Principles of strategic analysis and strategic forecasting Knowledge of the key issues in the spheres of defense and security policy Basic knowledge of the technical aspects of modern weapons and military equipment development Knowledge of basic national and international legislation in the sphere of non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control A sophisticated understanding of research and analyses in the field of military strategy Knowledge of special terminology The ability to apply specific knowledge in different practical environments ... [-]

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Global Sociology: Comparative Prospects European Societies

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme ‘International Sociology’ is taught in English. It targets students interested in processes and changes taking place in modern Western and Eastern societies. The area of specialisation ‘Global Sociology: Comparative Prospects’ is the outcome of creative collaboration of SPbU sociologists with European and South Korean universities and academic foundations. The programme aims to train well-rounded specialists with a set of skills allowing them to perform comparative sociological analysis of modern social, political, economic and ethno-cultural processes and phenomena typical for Western and Eastern societies in view of globalisation. Students who have chosen ‘Global Sociology: Comparative Prospects’ as an area of specialisation have an opportunity to participate in joint scientific events held by the SPbU, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Republic of Korea). The area of specialisation ‘European Societies’ is the outcome of collaboration between SPbU and Bielefeld University (Germany) with the support of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the SPbU Centre for German and European Studies. This interdisciplinary programme targets students with keen interest in modern development trends of European countries, including the Europeanisation of politics, transformation of European market system, changes in social patterns, and European cultural differentiation. A number of courses of the profile ‘European Societies’ are taught by leading international experts from top-ranking universities and research centres of Germany and other European countries. Master students join summer and winter schools organised by German sociological institutions. They have research practice in major European... [-]

The period of study specified by the Federal State Educational Standards of Higher Education is 2 years.

The study load of the bachelor’s programme specified by the Federal State Educational Standards of Higher Education is 120 ECTS points.

The programme is meant:

to form the basic professional knowledge, creative and personal qualities of a graduate through a comprehensive study of the geographical environment in space and time and methods of its research; to study the conceptual features of the geographical location of the Baltic region; to develop the abilities to resolve integrated regional problems in the field of land use management at different levels; to acquire skills in identification of natural and anthropogenic environmental changes in the region and to be able to assess risks in a short-term and historical perspective. [-]