Global Political Studies Master's Programme - a Success Story

- With this multi-disciplinary Master's Programme, we wanted to explore what the Department's subjects have in common. We simply wanted to tie together the various academic fields within Global Political Studies (GPS) and allow them to benefit more from one another. Master's programmes have traditionally been closely tied to a single academic field, said Lena Halldenius, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Global Political Studies.

Admissions to the programme was broad and wide. Interest was great, especially from students from outside Sweden. Students represent 26 different nationalities, and all instruction is English. Individual tutoring in Swedish is available, but all group instruction is in English. 

Broad programme
Lecturers in the Master's Programme are mainly drawn from the fields of Peace and Conflict research, International Relations and Human Rights, three fields already offering master's degree programmes at Malmö University. The programme also involves other lecturers from GPS, engaging the entire department.

After more than half the semester, the first course has just come to an end and the students have a tough and busy period behind them. 

- Many of the international students are accustomed to a hierarchical academic structure, where you listen to lectures and accurately report back what the teachers say. Our teaching is, to a greater extent, seminar-based with a clear ambition to develop students' independent and critical thinking. We are aware that some students are unfamiliar with this method of teaching, and it is also part of our educational goal for this type of learning: simply guiding students into a new way of learning, said Lena Halldenius and adds:
- Most students find it a release. They feel stronger and realise that their ideas have value.

Supplementary Qualification

A number of the students are professionals, such as practicing lawyers, in their home countries and will return home with yet another qualification. Others want to go on to further studies or intend to work in an international organisation.

Sebena Gashaw and Samantha Savage are two students enrolled in the Master's Programme. Sebena comes from Ethiopia, where she studied law for five years and worked for two years. She became interested in attaining a master's degree and began looking on the web.

Samantha Savage and Sebena Gashaw study Masters Global Political Studies. Photo: Lotta Solding

- I want to specialize in Human Rights, that's why I felt this programme was right for me. Some of my friends live here in Malmö, which also contributed my decision to move here. The teaching is very different from what I'm used to, there are fewer lectures and more individual study. On the other hand, we have a closer and more open relationship with the teachers here, which I appreciate. Here, the teachers expect that I can more, which makes you grow and broaden your horizons, said Sebena Gashaw
 

Human Rights
Samantha Savage comes from the United States and has a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina. She also wanted continue studying after working a few years after her undergraduate degree. Love led her to choose Sweden, so it seemed natural to look at Malmö University's range of master's programmes. She wants to work in Human Rights and International Relations.

- I didn't have any expectations at all when I started, but so far I am pleasantly surprised. The only thing I would have liked is then more classes, because I really appreciate them. Discussing course literature with both teachers and fellow students is very stimulating, we don't do this so much in the U.S., said Samantha Savage.

After the Master's Programme, Sebena Gashaw wants return to Ethiopia to look of a job, preferably in Human Rights. Samantha Savage has not quite decided, she could see herself both continuing with further studies and applying for a job within an international organisation.