International Relations and European Studies (Distance Learning)

Overview

The special objectives of the International Relations and European Studies (Distance Learning) program from University of Nicosia are to:

• Assimilate basic concepts in the fields of International Relations and European Studies (i.e. international system, international cooperation, international organisation, regional integration, international and ethnic conflict, international security etc). This is an important prerequisite for developing an in-depth approach to complex issues such as the European Integration process, political, economic and social dimension of interstate relations, civil, international and regional conflicts, terrorism, energy dependence and energy security etc. The program pays special attention on issues related with the Republic of Cyprus and its EU membership, as well as Cyprus’ geographic position in the East Mediterranean and the greater Middle East.
• Provide the necessary knowledge in relation to the rich theoretical and research tradition pertaining to a series of fields, such as theory of international relations, European and regional integration, international political economy, international security, asymmetric threats, conflict management and conflict resolution etc. 
• Provide the students with a broad understanding of the political, social and economic evolution of the international system in the 20th and 21st centuries as well as the new evolving international and regional environment. The role of law, diplomacy, private and non-governmental agents in the international system will form a vital part of this understanding. Moreover, the relative political and economic power of states, the role of international organizations such as the United Nations, and the existence of conflict will provide major foci for the program as a whole.

Career Prospects

The program applies to to individuals who intend to work in fields relevant with international affairs (e.g. in the public sector, especially in services under Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence or Commerce, in multinational firms, in international organisations such as the UN and the EU, in academic institutions and research centres, in non-governmental organisations etc).