Political Science: Global Politics and Societal Change

Overview

What is Global Politics and Societal Change about?

These are turbulent political times. International power bases are shifting. Political, economic and military threats merge and reform, presenting new political challenges. Examples like China and Russia prompt us to rethink the widely held belief that democratic reform will follow on the heels of economic progress. In these days of the “war on terror” it is also more and more difficult to know what a war is, who fights it, how it starts and how it can end. In the meantime, global inequality is increasing. Half of the world’s population lives in severe poverty, many of them in conflict-ridden regions and/or under failing governments. Problems of development – malnutrition, poverty, preventable diseases – can be solved by a global effort, so why does it not happen?

The one-year Political Science: Global Politics and Societal Change master's programme at Malmö University will help you make sense of these issues. It will give you a solid theoretical base concerning the meaning and role of concepts like justice, peace, security, power, culture and democracy.

What makes the master programme unique?

The programme is thoroughly interdisciplinary and draws on the different strengths in the Department of Global Political studies, including International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Rights, Public Policy, but also Ethnography and Philosophy. It focuses specifically on the changing nature of global politics and pays particular attention to how new institutions and patterns of conflict and cooperation affects public policy on different levels, including the local level. In addition to advancing a more nuanced perspective on what ‘globalisation’ means, the programme extends to our understanding of politics as a continuous and often very complex interaction of decision-making, institutions, and advocacy on multiple levels.

What career will I be prepared for?

After graduation you will be well prepared for qualified social scientific analysis. You will be well equipped to work with issues like international aid, development, conflict prevention, foreign policy, and human rights fulfillment. You attain up to date skills based on the latest research combined with an ability to manage projects and communicate scientific knowledge to various social actors in the field.

Potential employers are international agencies, non-governmental organisations, local and national administration agencies and the diplomatic service. You will also be able to continue for research education studies at advanced and doctoral levels after completing your degree.