Master of International Relations

Master of International Relations for International Students at Huazhong Normal University

1. Training Objectives

This program is to cultivate the qualified postgraduates with the following capacity: mastering and flexibly applying the basic theories of international relations; Understanding of politics, economics, law, history, general knowledge of the related sociological disciplines; Good ability at scientific research and social practices; Competent for work in government authorities, foreign affairs’ departments, military, news agency, international organizations; Suitable for work in scientific research institutions, colleges and universities.

2. Research Direction

(1) The international relations.

(2)China's foreign relations.

(3)The relations among the major powers.

3. System and Credit

The length of schooling for postgraduate students is 2 years, which is generally learning into 24 credits

4. The Curriculum (See the following table):

Note: “Casework, teaching practices” and “China’s National Condition and Social Survey” are selective course and not classroom teachings, which are to be arranged by the advisors in flexible ways, mainly through communication in case, investigation in fieldwork among advisors and students, etc.

5. Scientific Research and Dissertation Requirements

• The postgraduate students should complete at least four curriculum papers during the school study.
• The master graduate student should determine the topic of degree thesis, and formulate proposal through work plan in the second semester.
• Paper is allowed to be written in English, and also encouraged to be completed in Chinese.

6. Cultivating Mode and Method

The education is to be implemented by supervisor’s guidance as well as collective guidance, combined with self-study, discussion-based teaching, which focuses on training postgraduate students’ capacity in independent research. If the conditions allow, the tutor group will properly arrange some well-known scholars, high governmental officials, famous entrepreneurs and diplomats to present such seminars, which is to promote postgraduate students’ horizons in value and knowledge through various academic exchanges.

7. Exceptions

(1) Postgraduate students in the school must attend at least 1 academic activity (academic seminar, conference, or academic report). The relevant information will be kept in “Registration System for Postgraduate Students’ Academic Activities at Huazhong Normal University”.

(2) All this training program of the project shall be prescribed for examination. Methods of assessment and evaluation standard are carried out by the requirements of “the Interim Regulations for Postgraduate Evaluation and achievements Management at Huazhong Normal University”.

(3) According to the training program, each student must develop a personal training plan based on personal situation in one month after admission in the guidance of supervisors. After examination by the supervisor and professional leader, the personal training plan will be kept in record in Institute of Political Science and International Cultural Exchange School Graduate of Huazhong Normal University. Completing the training Program and personal training plan are the basis of authorizing Master degree of law at Huazhong Normal University.

Courses Introduction

Compulsory Courses (10 subjects)

(1) Course name: Theory of International Relations

Hour/Credit: 48/4

Class: Institute of Political Science

Instructor: Professor Hu Zhongshan

Content Summary: The brief history of realism and idealism, the new genre of neo-liberalism, representatives and main ideas of each school, the development of new ideas and patterns among major powers caused by the end of cold war.

Teaching Mode: self-study, lectures, and discussions

(2) Course Name: Modern and Contemporary History of International Relations

Hour/Credit: 36/3

Class: Institute of Political Science

Instructor: Professor Wei Hong

Content Summary: The main contents of modern and contemporary international relations include modern international relations and the pattern evolution, the modern nations’ foreign policy, major modern international relations events, the history of war and peace, the rise and decline of great power, the rise of the third world, nowadays pattern of international relations, and the historical experiences and lessons from modern international relations

Teaching Mode: self-study, lectures, and discussions

(3) Course Name: The Relations between Major Powers and Diplomacy

Hour/Credit: 36/3

Class: Institute of Political Science

Instructor: Associate professor Song Xiuju

Content Summary: The origins, characteristics and development stage of great powers; The research object, scope and methods of great powers’ diplomacy, the basic theory of western diplomacy; The overview of Western diplomacy; Famous case of Western diplomats; Comparison of Chinese and the Soviet Union foreign policy; Latest trends in great powers (globalization, new conception of sovereignty, new security concepts, sovereignty of new imperialism theory)

Teaching Mode: Self-study, lectures, and discussions.

(4) Course Name: International Law and International Organizations

Hour/Credit: 36/3

Class: Institute of Political Science

Instructor: Associate professor Zhao Changfeng

Content Summary: The formation and development of international organization After world war II; The United Nations and the international politics. Regional and international politics; The origin, development and international status, Interaction of International law, international politics and international relations. The basic principles of international law; Subject of International law, national territory, the law of the sea, diplomatic and consular relations; International treaties and the international organizations.

Teaching Mode: Self-study, lectures, and discussions.

(5) Course Name: China’s International Strategy and Foreign Relations

Hour/Credit: 36/3

Class: Institute of Political Science

Instructor: Tutor Group

Content Summary: The changes of international status and international environment of the People's Republic of China. China’s international strategy and foreign relations, and the formation, development, and adjustment of China’s foreign policies; How China's diplomacy insists the basic principles and policies; How China deal with the legacy problem from neighboring countries, multilateral diplomacy and the relations between great powers.

Teaching mode: Self-study, lectures, and discussions.

(6) Course Name: The Chinese Economy

Hour/Credit: 36/3

Class: Institute of Political Science

Instructor: Associate professor Wang Yonghui

Content Summary: Traditional Chinese agricultural economic mode; China's economic models(1949-1978), China's economic transformation(1979-1997); a Financial system of China international economic model and concept after the 1997s’ crisis. It aims at enabling students to understand China's economic development path and the system of China's comprehensive national strength much more profoundly.

Teaching Mode: Self-study, lectures, and discussions.

(7) Course Name: Forefront of International Relations

Hour/Credit: 36/3

Class: Institute of Political Science

Institute of political instructor: Tutor Group

Content Summary: From the perspective of international relations theory, this course aims at enable learners to explore the frontier issues in international relations such as the East Asian regional integration of theory and practices, East Asian community model and feasibility, the image of the state and the choice of China, the problems with the development of China’s land power as well as China's sea power, the Shanghai cooperation organization and Chinese multilateral diplomacy, Color revolution and China’s border security, Bo’ao Forum and China’s harmonious world outlook, etc.

Teaching Mode: Self-study, lectures, and discussions.

(8) Course Name: Casework and Teaching Practices

Hour/Credit: 8/2

Class: Institute of Political Science

Institute of political instructor: Tutor Group

Content Summary: Some well-known experts, governmental senior officials, entrepreneurs, CEOs of banks may be invited to talk about China’s foreign policy and the related concept, production and operation of Chinese economy as well as how China’s foreign policy and economic development is promoted and practiced, and what problems will encounter; Meanwhile, the course will offer students opportunities to make presentation about the Chinese diplomatic and economic policies, the instructors will make the relevant comments, and other students should actively participate in interaction.

Teaching Mode: Self-study, lectures, and discussions.

(9) Course name: China's National Conditions and Social Survey

Hour/Credit: 8/2

Class: Institute of Political Science

Institute of political instructor: Tutor Group

Content Summary: Some related supervisors will organize the students to carry on the practices of an investigation into China's national conditions, including governmental departments, cultural institutions, colleges and universities, research institutions, enterprises, cities and rural areas, which aims at making students understand China's national conditions in reality.

Teaching Mode: Social practices.