Elective International Relations                                                            

This programme aims to provide students with a solid background for doing business internationally and/or working in international organisations.

The first block of this elective centres on the European Union: how are decisions being made and how can stakeholders, such as countries, businesses and international organisations influence the decision-making process? In small groups students will prepare themselves to represent a member state during a mock European Round Table at the end of the block. Classes in Personal Leadership, Diplomatic Communication and European Public Affairs will support this preparation. A field trip to Brussels is mandatory and an integral part of the programme.

During block 2 students will explore the relationship between geo-political shifts and power instruments in International Relations, in the political as well as in the financial/economic domain. We will address the current situation in international diplomacy and the solutions it could or should provide in this rapidly changing environment. Cross-cultural communication will be boosted by participating in an online case study project together with our American partner, Widener University (Philadelphia). This block culminates in a Global Summit on a topical issue. Supporting classes that are offered include Critical Thinking and Project classes. This block includes a mandatory trip to the international city of justice, The Hague.

The level of the elective is advanced, which corresponds with levels 5 - 6 of the European Qualifications Framework EQF and the levels of the International Standard Classification of Education ISCED 2011 (UNESCO).

Knowledge and skills

The student gains knowledge in:

cultural dimensions, European law, foreign markets, international economic and political relations. 

 

The student has the opportunity to train his skills in:

debating, negotiating, English, intercultural communication, presentation and teamwork.

Requirements (Ingangseisen)

The student has completed the propaedeutic programme and has participated in the full second-year programme of his major.

 

As we would like to see the most motivated students participate in this elective, we use a selection procedure. After you have enrolled for this programme, you will be invited to write a motivational letter and to an interview about your motivation, both in English.

As the outcome of this procedure may be communicated at a later date, you are advised to:

1st download the learning agreement in triplicate from the Kies-op-Maat website before the deadline for enrolment;

2nd also enrol for another elective, just in case.

All necessary literature will be provided by Windesheim, free of charge.

Aanvullende informatie

COSTS

For the field trips we charge € 300,00 to be incurred at the end of the semester.

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These are the forms of assessment of each course:

Project 1: European Affairs        
Country analysis, EU conference

European Policy Making

Written exam European Law, presentation European Public Affairs

Project 2: Global Affairs               
Position paper, global conference

Critical Thinking                              
Assignment

Diplomatic communication                   
Essay & performance during conferences

Professional Development         
Portfolio, assignment Intercultural Communication    

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BLOCK 1

Project European Affairs

The first part of your semester revolves around this project - students will represent a member state of the EU during a mock European Summit. To prepare for the summit, students will research the position of ‘their’ country on current affairs and participate in lobbying rounds, visit the heart of Europe, Brussels, and meet with policy makers. The European Summit gives students the opportunity to demonstrate your lobbying, negotiating, collaborative and intercultural communication skills to reach a collective goal: a shared vision for the European Union on a topical issue.

European Policy Making

This course gives students a thorough understanding of the decision making processes in the European Union and the interests and goals of the various players in the Brussels arena: EU institutions, governments of member states and non-member states, experts and lobby groups. It provides a solid introduction to the European Union, European laws and regulations and comprehensive European law enforcement. Equally, students will gain considerable insight into European competition law and the single market. As both European law and European political reality are changing every day, lectures will focus on topical developments 'as they happen'. 

BLOCK 2

Dwelling upon the experiences students have gained during Project 1, the focus of this second project is more global. Students will dive into the challenges and opportunities of the African continent. They will acquire profound knowledge of economic and political relations at global level that will boost opportunities in Africa. Furthermore, you will get insight in lobbyist and focus group power, and the influence and interdependent role of power blocs such as the EU, the US and China. The project will be concluded by participating in a global conference in which you and your fellow students will represent a power bloc and its stance on the development of the African continent.

Critical thinking

Learning and innovation skills increasingly are being recognized as those that separate students who are prepared for a more and more complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who are not. A focus on creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration is essential to prepare students for the future. Hence this course focuses on different techniques for creativity and critical thinking.

It will also deepen your insight into distinguishing between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ news and make up your mind about topical affairs and your own stance on them.

BLOCKS 1 & 2

Diplomatic communication

This module will equip students with language tools that help you become a global citizen. They will acquire practical knowledge of professional English that can be used in a political and economic setting. This entails proper negotiating and report writing skills in English. During the lectures, students will learn to correctly interact in professional (business) settings and they will improve their pronunciation in English. Oral and negotiation skills will be explained and subsequently practiced, in order to get students ready for the final 'conference'. Moreover, students will be able to apply business etiquette practices, such as communicating with clients, politicians and professionals.

Professional Development

This module is aimed at providing students with the right set of competencies to become a starting international diplomat. It is vital that students work individually to attain these competencies and to meet their personal goals. As part of this programme, students are stimulated to e.g. join conferences, bilateral meetings and to fulfil duties during activities at Windesheim. They will also gain insight into best practices in international relations theories, and they will take part in an exciting virtual project that will surely boost students’ confidence in international relations and international project management.