Prospectus

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Political Science

The Leiden Master’s programme in Political Science: Conflict and Cooperation aims to provide students with a deep and comprehensive understanding of political issues. The political science department has a long tradition of studying how political conflicts can be resolved in both national and international contexts, whether it is through Lijphart’s model of power sharing in divided societies, or through other institutional frameworks such as federalism. The programme provides theoretical knowledge but also seeks to build bridges between theory and practice for national and international political issues. Students develop advanced academic and professional skills. Besides core courses on Conflict & Cooperation and Advanced Academic Skills, the programme offers elective seminars on a broad range of themes. Students may opt to complete the program with a thesis or an internship which includes a substantive research report.

Preliminary Info

Registration for courses

IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER FOR YOUR COURSES IT IS IMPORTANT TO COMPLETE YOUR STUDY REGISTRATION IN STUDIELINK BEFORE AUGUST 1 !!

In the 1st semester Political Science students follow two compulsory courses (‘Conflict and Cooperation: Classics’ and ‘Advanced Academic and Professional Skills’) and choose two elective seminars.

Registration for both compulsory courses and their workgroups as well as for the two elective seminars is possible from Tuesday 16 August 10.00 a.m. until Tuesday 23 August 10.00 a.m. Registration takes place through usis. Each workgroup and elective seminar has a maximum number of participants; registration is on a first come first served basis. (If fewer than 8 students register for a seminar, we cannot guarantee that it will take place.)

Please note that official course registration in uSis does not lead to automatic Blackboard enrollment. You must enroll yourself on Blackboard for your courses. For more information about Blackboard please see the link below.

Optional only to September starters: Transferring to the Research Master

It is possible to apply for transfer to the Research Master after the first semester of the MSc Political Science. Students who want to switch need to fulfill the admissions requirements of the research master: http://www.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/political-science-research/en/entry-requirements. Application deadline for students who want to switch to the research master once they have started in the Master Political Science is 1 December 2016. We strongly advise students who consider transferring from the Master Political Science to the Research Master to take the two elective seminars that are recommended for the Research Master in their first semester. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have with the study advisor or programme director.

Start September 2016

Welcome meeting master PS en IO:

We would like to invite you to a welcome meeting on Monday, September 5, from 9.30-10.00 a.m. in room number 1A01 (on the 1st floor of the Pieter de la Court building, Wassenaarseweg 52, Leiden). During this meeting the programme director will inform you about the Institute and the programme.
After your first class(es) we invite you to join us for some drinks in the Common Room on the 5th floor of the Pieter de la Court building from 3.00 till 4.00 p.m.

For information about registration please consult the Preliminary Info

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Semester 1, block I - Mandatory Course

Conflict and Cooperation: Classics - Fall 2016 5

Semester 1, block I - Electives (PS students can choose 1 seminar from the list below)

Political Communication and Media Effects 10
Conflict and Cooperation: Applying Game Theory in International Relations 10
Crisis Management 10
Preventing Terrorism in Multicultural Europe 10

Semester 1, block II - Mandatory Course

Advanced Academic & Professional Skills - Fall 2016 5

Semester 1, block II Electives (PS students can choose 1 of the seminars below):

Consensus and Conflict in the Netherlands 10
Multiculturalism and Democracy (recommended for the Research Master) 10

Semester 2 - Mandatory Course

Thesis Seminar MSc Political Science Spring 2017 20
Thesis Seminar info PS - Spring 2017 20

Semester 2, block III - Electives (PS students can choose 1seminar from the list below)

Foreign Policy Analysis 10
Russia and the world 10
Capital and Crises 10

Optional: Internship

Internship MSc Political Science 30

If required: check if you have to take this course on your Statement of Admission

Conversion Course: Research Design and Measurement 5

Start February 2016

The program information in the e-prospectus is subject to change. We advise students to check the e-prospectus pages regularly throughout the academic year.

Registration for compulsory courses

Registration for ‘Conflict and Cooperation: Classics’ and Advanced Academic and Professional Skills’ and their workgroups is possible from Tuesday 16 August 10.00 a.m. until Tuesday 23 August 10.00 a.m. Registration takes place through uSis. Each workgroup has a maximum number of participants; registration is on a first come first served basis.

Registration for thesis seminar

Registration for the thesis seminar will take place after the first collective meeting of the Fall thesis seminars in which you will be informed about the procedure.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Semester I - Thesis Seminar Fall

Conflict and Cooperation: Classics - Fall 2016 5
Advanced Academic & Professional Skills - Fall 2016 5
Thesis Seminar MSc Political Science - Fall 2016 20
Thesis Info MSc Political Science / International Organisation - Fall 2016

Semester II - Mandatory Courses - See E-Prospectus 2015-2016

Start February 2017

Welcome Meeting

We would like to invite you to a welcome meeting on Tuesday, January 31, from 10.30-11.00 a.m. in room number 5A42 (on the 5th floor of the Pieter de la Court building, Wassenaarseweg 52). During this meeting you will be informed about the programme by the Director of Studies. From 3.00-4.00 p.m. (after the course Conflict and Cooperation: Classics) you get the opportunity to meet some of the staff members over coffee, tea and cake in the Common Room on the 5th floor of the Pieter de la Court building.

Registration for courses

In their first semester Political Science students follow two compulsory courses (Conflict and Cooperation: Classics and Advanced Academic and Professional Skills). Registration for these courses and their workgroups is possible through Usis from Tuesday 10 January 2017, 10.00 a.m. until 17 January 2017, 10.00 a.m.

In addition to the compulsory courses, Political Science students choose one elective seminar in their first block and follow the compulsory seminar Elections and Political Careers in their second block. You will be registered by the Institute’s Secretariat for Elections and Political Careers.

Please submit your preference for the seminar in your first block between Tuesday 10 January 2017, 10.00 a.m. until 17 January 2017, 10.00 a.m. via e-mail to instituutsbureaupolwet@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. Also mention your full name and student number in the e-mail.

Please note that each workgroup and elective seminar has a maximum number of participants and placement in the seminar of your choice is not guaranteed. Assignment to a seminar is on a first come first served basis. The time at which your e-mail is received by the secretariat is crucial. If fewer than 8 participants register for a seminar, we cannot guarantee that it will take place. You will be informed about the seminars for which you have been registered before 1 February 2017.

In their second semester (September 2017-January 2018) Political Science students follow a Political Science thesis seminar (20 EC) plus an elective seminar (10 EC).

Please note that official course registration in uSis does not lead to automatic Blackboard enrollment. You must enroll yourself on Blackboard for your courses.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Semester II, block III (February - March 2017) - Mandatory Course

Conflict and Cooperation: Classics - Spring 5

Semester II, block III - Electives (PS students choose 1 of the below):

Foreign Policy Analysis 10
Russia and the world 10
Capital and Crises 10

Semester II, block IV (April - May 2017) - Mandatory Courses

Advanced Academic and Professional Skills - Spring 5
Elections and Political Careers 10

Semester I (September 2017 - January 2018) : See E-Prospectus 2017-2018 for details

If required: check if you have to take this course on your Statement of Admission

Conversion Course: Research Design and Measurement 5

Competency Requirements

Competency Requirements (Not for Leiden Political Science bachelors)

The Master Political Science Admissions Committee may have requested that the applicant demonstrates competency in Research Design & Measurement in the Social Sciences. You can find this on your Statement of Admission.

This competency should be demonstrated by completing the conversion course Research Design & Measurement in the Social Sciences. This conversion course will be offered by the Institute of Political Science and may be followed along with the other courses from the regular Master of Science programme. The full conversion course comprises 5 ECTS credits. This conversion course is not part of the regular curriculum of the Master of Science programme.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Conversion Course: Research Design and Measurement 5

Transitional Regulation

Regulations for students from earlier academic years

  1. Students who have not successfully completed the course ‘Political Science: Approaches and Concepts’ (5 ects) must successfully complete the course ‘Conflict and Cooperation: the Classics’ (5 ects).

  2. Students who have not successfully completed the course ‘Colloquium’ (5 ects) of their specific specialisation must successfully complete the course ‘Advanced Academic and Professional Skills’ (5 ects).

More info

Core Modules

The Master Political Science offers two core modules:

Conflict and Cooperation: Classics will address contemporary political conflict, the philosophical approaches to political conflict and the nature and effectiveness of political institutions in resolving political conflict. Major classic works in political science will be studied. Advanced Academic and Professional Skills aims at advancing the skills for various professions at an academic level, such as policy advisor, civil servant, or political assistant, whether in NGOs, interest groups, political parties or government and international agencies. The seminar will focus on oral skills and written skills, which will be applied during the classes.

Specialization through Choice: Build your own Profile

The master program in Conflict and Cooperation allows students to specialize through their own choices of seminars (subject to availability). Students will gain advanced knowledge on a variety of empirical or normative approaches in political science. Seminar topics range from human rights, conflict management, distributive justice to political conflict and the media to elections and coalitions in a national context. Students may opt to complete the program with a thesis or an internship which includes a substantive research report.

Thesis

Those opting for a thesis will follow a Political Science Thesis Seminar during the second semester. In the Political Science Thesis Seminar students apply theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills to a theme related to conflict and cooperation. Preparations for the thesis start during the month of January (designated for self-study). The thesis may take the form of a theoretical analysis, literature study, quantitative or qualitative empirical research, or a case study. Students write a thesis on the findings of individual research (length between 8.000 and 10.000 words).

Examiners

The teachers that are mentioned in each course are appointed by the Board of Examiners to conduct examinations.

The Department expects the highest scholarly effort and achievement from students. Students’ academic work will be evaluated per assignment and per course. This includes both oral and written assignments. Timely completion of degree requirements is expected.

More information

More information on grading, graduation and other information can be found on the website of Political Science.

More information on the entry requirements of the programme can be found on Masters in Leiden.

More information about a variety of subjects can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Please contact the Student Services Center Faculty of Social Science for administrative affairs such as a certified transcript or a statement of registration.