MAIN course structure
The MAIN curriculum emphasises two cornerstones of our graduates’ success.
First, our students build a solid substantive knowledge of the problems of contemporary international politics. The curriculum covers especially the following areas:
- International Relations as a discipline investigating states’ behaviour in world politics, with a focus on great powers and the nature of the international system.
- International Economics and Security as the two key issue areas of international life.
- European Union as the most profound project of inter-state integration in world history.
- International Institutions and International Law as the key instruments of the management of global affairs.
Second, students acquire specific, tangible skills relevant to their future professional careers:
- Empirical and analytical skills. Our students undergo robust introductory training in both qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
- Critical thinking. The ability to think outside the box is essential in an environment where constant adaptation is needed.
- Languages and transferable skills. Our graduates’ success depends not only on their hard analytical skills and knowledge of international politics but also on their writing, presentation, and communication skills.
Course types
The study curriculum is composed of common compulsory modules in the first year of study and of individual specialisation and master thesis research in the second year. In the course of the program, you have to obtain a total of 120 ECTS credits. These are acquired from four types of courses:
- Eight compulsory modules (Module #1-#8; 64 ECTS credits), covering all the core areas of International Relations, with an interdisciplinary reach to International Law and International Economics. In Modules #1, #2, #5 and #6, you will also choose a specialisation seminar in addition to taking the core compulsory lecture course.
- Individual work within MA Thesis Seminars (Module #9; 18 ECTS credits)
- Elective courses from the field of International Relations, including up to 18 credits from security studies (26–38 ECTS credits).
- Elective courses outside of International Relations (up to 12 ECTS credits).
Course structure
Semester 1
In the first semester, students attend modules concerning the nature of the international system in general – modules on the theories of international relations, the introduction to international economic relations, and the introduction to conflict studies.
MODULE #1: THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The course introduces students to the major concepts and theories in the study of IR. It does so by investigating the key issues of world politics from different theoretical angles: from questions of war and peace, cooperation, and power to specific agendas, including economics, environment, social justice, or the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. The course helps students understand the roots of international thought as well as the most influential current approaches to studying international politics. In addition to taking the common lecture course, students chose one of the seminars listed below. These enable them to delve in-depth into a specific approach to international politics.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Theories of International Relations (lecture course) | Dr. Aliaksei Kazharski, Dr. Jakub Tesar | 6 |
| Liberalism in International Relations | Assoc. Prof. Jan Karlas | 4 |
| Feminism in International Relations | Assoc. Prof. Bela Plechanovova | 4 |
| Constructivism in International Relations | Dr. Jakub Tesar | 4 |
MODULE #2: APPROACHES TO CONFLICTS AND VIOLENCE
The course introduces the main concepts, themes and processes related to violence, armed conflicts and peace. Specific attention is paid to issues like the micro-dynamics of violence, the role of gender in conflicts, the impact of natural resources, and the reflection of the environment in contemplations about conflicts and war. We discuss the typology of political and armed conflicts and reflect on the origins of conflict and conflict prevention. Further topics addressed include the role of non-violence in a political conflict, methods of conflict management and resolution, intractable conflicts, and post-conflict reconstruction. In addition to taking the common lecture course, students choose one from a range of seminars that cover specific key topics of international security in the 21st century.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Approaches to Conflicts and Violence (lecture course) | Dr. Tomas Karasek | 6 |
| Global Terrorism | Dr. Radana Makariusova | 4 |
| Environmental Security | Mgr. Eliska Pohnerova | 4 |
| Global Security in the Digital Age: Propaganda, Disinformation, and Social Media Warfare | Dr. Kristian Foldes | 4 |
| Social Justice as a Future of Security Studies | Mgr. Anna Kotvalova | 4 |
MODULE #3: GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
In this course, students examine the relationship between international economics and international politics in a globalised world. How do economic relations among states and businesses impact international politics? And how do the political concerns of states impact the flows of goods, services, and finance across the globe? We discuss topics such as international trade, finance, the impact of the information revolution on the world economy, development, and the economic effects of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Special attention is paid to the growing conflicts between traditional and new powers in the international economic order.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Global Political Economy | Assoc. Prof. Michal Parizek | 6 |
MODULE #4: QUANTITATIVE METHODS
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to political research methods and specifically to their quantitative branch. Students learn to collect quantitative political data and use them to address practical or theoretical problems in international politics. Students learn to interpret data and critically evaluate arguments based on quantitative evidence. They learn to work with confidence with statistical software package R and MS Excel.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Researching International Politics: Quantitative Methods | Assoc. Prof. Michal Parizek | 6 |
Semester 2
In the second semester, we build on the basis developed in the first semester with a block of courses dealing with regional and global institutions and international problem-solving. Specifically, students attend courses that cover the evolution of the European integration process and contemporary European politics, as well as international institutions and international law.
MODULE #5: EUROPEAN UNION
The course provides an analytical framework for the study of the process of unification of Europe from its beginning in the 1940s up to the present. It introduces the main theoretical approaches to the analysis, the institutional setting and legislative process, and the main areas of cooperation in the EU from a historical and theoretical perspective. In addition to taking the common lecture course, students choose one seminar that enables them to deepen their knowledge of the European integration process.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| European Union (lecture course) | Dr. Viera Martinkova | 6 |
| EU Institutions and Decision-making | Assoc. Prof. Bela Plechanovova | 4 |
| Interinstitutional Relations: European vs. Domestic Institutions | Dr. Viera Martinkova | 4 |
| EU and Global Governance | Assoc. Prof. Jan Karlas | 4 |
MODULE #6: INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The course provides a complex introduction to the study of international institutions – international organisations (IOs) and international regimes. It offers an overview of the theoretical reflections of international institutions and explores the internal political system of an IO. It also deals with international institutions functioning in the most significant areas of international relations – security, economic affairs and development, and environment and human rights. In addition to taking the common lecture course, students choose from an offer of seminars that enable them to discuss specific aspects of institutionalised international cooperation in detail.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| International Institutions (lecture course) | Assoc. Prof. Jan Karlas | 6 |
| Global Governance and Global Cooperation | Dr. Radana Makariusova | 4 |
| NGOs in International Relations | Dr. Viera Martinkova | 4 |
| Global Economic Governance | Assoc. Prof. Michal Parizek | 4 |
MODULE #7: INTERNATIONAL LAW
The course provides an introduction to the international law system, both generally and to its specific concepts. The first part discusses general issues, such as sources and subjects of international law, state responsibility, and the relationship between international and municipal law. The second part of the course is dedicated to human rights protection. Students study cases of international law and engage in discussions about relevant topics.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| International Law | Dr. Milan Lipovsky | 6 |
MODULE #8: QUALITATIVE METHODS
The course introduces the fundamentals of research strategies and methodologies traditionally applied in IR, particularly the qualitative branch. The emphasis is put on the students’ ability to formulate a research design providing the basis for their diploma research. The course has two components. In the first part of the semester, students attend introductory lectures focusing on research design and qualitative methodology foundations. In the second part, they attend two longer seminars focusing on specific qualitative research techniques.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Researching International Politics: Qualitative Methods | Assoc. Prof. Vit Stritecky | 6 |
Students who feel the need to devote more time to some of the classes from Modules 1 – 8 can also decide to postpone some of these modules to their second year. This option is commonly chosen by students with a bachelor background outside of political science. On the other hand, some students decide to take additional electives in addition to the compulsory modules already in the first two semesters. Electives available in the academic year 2025/2026 are listed below.
SEMESTER 3 & 4 (2nd year)
During the second year, student choose from a broad range of elective courses that deepen their understanding of the individual areas of international and European politics. These courses are offered by the Department of International Relations and by other Departments and Institutes of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The program provides various thematic specialisations, but thanks to cutting-edge research carried out by our faculty, we offer particularly broad and unique expertise in fields of European studies, International Organizations and the current global order.
Throughout the second year, students work on their Master theses under the individual supervision of one of our faculty. Students are also welcome to spend one or both semesters at one of our numerous partner universities across Europe and over the world. Some students pursue the Double Degree track offered in cooperation with the University of Konstanz (see below for more details).
At the end of the second year, students defend their Master thesis and take the final, so-called ‘state’ exam. It comprises compulsory oral exams in International Relations and one elective (European Union, International Institutions, International Law or International Economic Relations).
MODULE #9: MA THESIS PREPARATION
Individual work on the MA Thesis is supported by compulsory courses MA Thesis Seminar I and II, based on individual discussions with the thesis advisor.
| Course name | ECTS | |
|---|---|---|
| MA Thesis Seminar I | Individual discussions with the thesis advisor | 6 |
| MA Thesis Seminar II | Individual discussions with the thesis advisor | 12 |
ELECTIVES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEARS 2025/2026
The list is always finalised before the start of each academic year, including classes of visiting professors, so the final offer is usually even broader.
| Course name | Lecturer | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Qualitative Research Methods: Practical Approaches to Textual Analysis | Mgr. Kristian Foldes | 6 |
| The Contemporary Middle East and North Africa: Politics, Culture, and Society | Mgr. Tereza Plistilova | 6 |
| Gender and Politics | Dr. Linda Monsees | 6 |
| Navigating Climate Change in Everyday Life | Mgr. Eliska Pohnerova | 6 |
| Czech Post-1989 Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | Dr. Tomas Petricek | 4 |
| Baltic Regional Cooperation and Russia | Dr. Iivi Zajedova | 6 |
| International Politics in Central and Eastern Europe: Critical Approaches | Dr. Aliaksei Kazharski | 6 |
| Regionalism and Global Order | Dr. Aliaksei Kazharski | 6 |
| Mobilisation Approaches to Terrorism | Dr. Atanaska Metodieva | 6 |
| Geopolitics of Great Powers: Russia | Dr. Magdalena Bastar Leichtova | 6 |
| European Integration: Theories and Cases | Dr. Martin Jerabek | 6 |
| European Public Sphere: Interest Representation and Public Debate | Dr. Viera Martinkova | 6 |
| Data Analysis and Mapping | Dr. Lukas Hajek | 5 |
| Navigating the Information Age: Political Text Analysis and Applied Machine Learning | Dr. Jakub Stauber, Assoc. Prof. Michal Parizek | 6 |
| Global Environmental Politics | Assoc. Prof. Jan Karlas, Dr. Jakub Tesar | 6 |
| Crisis Games | Dr. Tomas Kucera, Assoc. Prof. Michal Parizek | 6 |
| Contemporary International Relations in East Asia | Assoc. Prof. Michal Kolmas | 6 |
| Resilience and Internal Security of the EU | Dr. Radko Hokovsky | 6 |
| Diplomacy of the European Union | Dr. Erik Pajtinka | 6 |
| German European Policy | Dr. Martin Jerabek | 6 |
| European Policies of Visegrad Countries | Dr. Viera Martinkova | 6 |
| Israel: Politics and Society | Dr. Irena Kalhousova | 6 |
| American Presidential Elections. The impact on US domestic and foreign policy | Petr Tuma, MFA | 6 |
| International Security: up to three elective courses from the offer the Department of Security Studies | Members of the Department of Security Studies | up to 18 |
| Professional Internship A | Guaranteed by Assoc. Prof. Jan Karlas | 6 |
| Professional Internship B | Guaranteed by Assoc. Prof. Jan Karlas | 4 |
| Academic Writing for Bachelors | Andrew Godall | 3 |
| Academic English I | Daniel Jackson III | 3 |
| Selection of languages on offer (German, Italian, Russian, Spanish) | Lecturers from the Faculty Language Centre | 3 |
Students interested in security studies can choose up to 18 credits from the Department of Security Studies courses as electives. Students are also entitled and encouraged to obtain up to 12 additional credits from courses offered by other Departments at the Faculty and University. Very often, students choose to take one of the popular intermediate-level language courses offered by the Faculty Language Centre (permanently on offer are German, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, and Czech as a Foreign Language). Furthermore, our Department offers guest courses taught by professors from leading European and global universities and research centres every year.
In the last several years, these included such globally renowned scholars as Prof. Kenneth Abbott (Arizona State University), Prof. Tapio Raunio (University of Tampere), Prof. Gerald Schneider (University of Konstanz), Prof. Stephanie Hofmann (European University Institute), Prof. Hylke Dijkstra (Maastricht University), or Prof. Robert Jervis, one of the most influential scholars in International Relations of several last decades (Columbia University, New York). In the academic year 2024/25, we welcomed Dr. Maria Raquel Freire (University of Coimbra), and Dr. Stela Rubinova and Dr. James Munro from the World Trade Organization.
We continue to strive to invite top young as well as established academics to give courses at our Department. Besides full classes, we invite guest lecturers and researchers for specific events. For example, in 2024, Prof. Teun A. van Dijk, the director of the Centre of Discourse Studies, Barcelona, and a world-renowned social scientist, gave a lecture on discourse analysis.
