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Political Studies
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Summary of the Profile
General Description:
Objective(s) of a study programme:
The aim of the study programme is to train highly qualified specialists in political science who are able to competently (re)explain, analyse, compare and evaluate political, economic and social processes in the world's countries and regions, to independently carry out research in political science, to prepare and carry out practical projects, and to be able to analyse, explain and predict the expression of political processes and their development tendencies from both a theoretical and an empirical point of view.
The programme offers students the opportunity to choose one of three specialisations: World Politics and Economics (English), International Politics and Development Studies (English), Political Science and Leadership (Lithuanian). The degree is a Bachelor of Social Sciences.
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge and its application
- be able to identify, explain, interpret and critically evaluate key theories and models in political science;
- knowledge of and ability to draw on the latest research in political science;
- be able to apply the knowledge acquired to practical global, national or local policy problems;
- knowledge of the fundamentals of the social sciences and humanities (law, economics, management, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy) which are closely related to the political sciences and an understanding of the place of the political sciences within the social sciences
Ability to conduct research
- be able to independently select a research topic and formulate a research problem relevant to the study of political science;
- are familiar with the main research methods (qualitative and quantitative) in the social sciences and are able to select and apply those appropriate to the analysis of political phenomena and processes;
- be familiar with at least one data collection and analysis tool and be able to design, conduct, describe interviews, surveys and use statistical data;
- be able to locate, collect, interpret and critically evaluate information relevant to the research from a variety of sources;
Special abilities
- be able to understand, analyse and critically evaluate the changing content, actors and expressions of politics in the contemporary environment;
- be able to select complex methodological tools to analyse political phenomena and processes;
- be able to plan, organise and carry out a wide range of professional or analytical activities in the civil service, public or private enterprises, institutions or organisations, both in Lithuania and abroad.
Social skills
- be able to express oneself correctly in writing and orally in the language of the study programme, to speak concisely, clearly and comprehensibly to a variety of audiences, to use political science terms appropriately, and to present coherently and visualize ideas and research results in a high-quality manner;
- be able to work as part of a team, take responsibility for the quality of performance, and organise their work in order to achieve the objectives set;
- be guided by professional ethics and citizenship;
Personal skills
• is able to study independently, understands the importance of lifelong learning and plans his personal professional development;
• is able to adapt to difficult-to-predict changes caused by rapid changes in knowledge and technology, and integrates and adapts acquired political science knowledge and experience to the needs of different professional activities;
• respects copyright and other intellectual property rights, cites the thoughts of sources and other authors properly, legally and honestly, is intolerant of plagiarism;
• realizes the moral responsibility for the impact of their activities and their results on the development of society, economy, culture, well-being and the environment.
Activities of teaching and learning:
The programme aims at active participation of students in the study process and aims to create an active educational environment using various methods: traditional and interactive lectures, practical work, discussions, problem-solving, reading and analysis of scientific literature, preparation of coursework and projects, etc. Theoretical lectures are combined with professional knowledge by inviting professionals from the relevant fields (politicians, diplomats, civil servants, public relations experts, NGOs and the private sector.
Methods of assessment of learning
achievements:
The following assessment methods shall be used to assess the student's performance against the assessment criteria set out for the Policy Studies programme and its individual elements: oral assessment methods; presentation methods (presentation (public speaking, presentation, presentation)); written assessment methods (papers, reviews, essays); graphic and visual assessment methods (mind and concept maps; demonstration of work); cumulative and integrated assessment methods (folder or portfolio method, case studies, projects, seminars).
The assessment of student achievement is based on a cumulative marking system, in which the final grade integrates the grades obtained in the midterm and the examination.
The final grade integrates the grades of the midterm reports and the examination. The examination grade shall consist of
30-60 per cent of the final grade. Weighting of the individual components of the midterm reports on the final grade
in accordance with the VMU Study Regulations, where the grade for the colloquium is between 15 and 35 per cent of the final grade; the grades for laboratory work, control work, homework and other assignments are between 15 and 35 per cent
the final grade.
Students' work is graded on a ten-point scale.
Framework:
Study subjects (modules), practical
training:
The Bachelor's degree takes 4 years (240 ECTS). The study programme consists of general university subjects, compulsory and optional subjects for specialisation, practical training and a bachelor thesis. Each specialisation consists of 15 ECTS of practical training and 15 ECTS of bachelor thesis.
In the first two years of study, students may take co-university subjects (e.g. Philosophy, Logic, Photography, Architecture, Literature, Environmental Studies, etc.) in addition to the subjects of their chosen specialisation.
From the third academic year onwards, students can choose electives in their field of interest ( e.g. Introduction to Latin American Studies, Russian Domestic and Foreign Policy, East Asian Political Systems, Security Challenges in the Modern World, Regional Development, etc.)
Specialisations:
International Politics and Development Studies
World Politics and Economics
Political Science and Leadership
Optional courses:
The International Politics and Development Studies programme focuses on regional and national issues and causal analysis of regional and national processes in the EU's Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood. Students in this programme analyse the political systems, economic and social processes in Russia and Eastern Europe (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova), the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan), the Middle East and North Africa, and the forms and strategies of international assistance and development cooperation in these countries.
In addition to English, the language of study, students learn one of the languages of the developing world regions or countries at B1.1 level - French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Turkish - according to their personal preference and their regional orientation/qualification.
The World Politics and Economics curriculum covers contemporary world processes such as globalisation, migration, terrorism, sustainable development, climate change, humanitarian crises, global financial and economic crises, and human rights issues. Students learn to analyse and evaluate these processes, identify the main trends in the world, and predict possible economic and political scenarios of global development. Students learn about the issues of different regions. This includes courses such as Introduction to Asian Studies, Introduction to Latin American Studies, US Domestic and Foreign Policy, Russian Domestic and Foreign Policy, Politics of the European Union etc.
In Political Science and Leadership Studies, students study a wide range of subjects such as Foundations of International Relations, Lithuanian Foreign Policy, Institutions of the European Union, International and National Security, etc. In addition to the compulsory subjects, students also take optional specialised subjects. For example, Introduction to Latin American Studies, Introduction to Asian Studies, US Domestic and Foreign Policy, Russian Domestic and Foreign Policy, Introduction to Diplomacy, etc.A
Distinctive features of a study
programme:
Depending on the specialisation chosen, students can study in Lithuanian (Political Science and Leadership) or English (International Politics and Development Studies or World Politics and Economics).
The World Politics and Economics specialisation (taught in English) is an interdisciplinary research programme combining political science and economics to analyse a wide range of political and economic processes around the world
Political Science and Leadership Programme - a classical study programme taught in Lithuanian and aimed at students choosing to study in Lithuania. The students are highly qualified professionals who are able to analyse social and political processes in a broad context, theoretically define and explain the peculiarities of the expression of the political process, and are able to identify and describe emerging trends in political life at a scientific political science level.
The Bachelor of International Politics and Development Studies (taught in English) is aimed at Lithuanian and foreign students interested in disciplines such as: developing regions and states, international processes, human rights, economic and social development studies, regional studies, oriental studies, international and development strategies, migration, project design and implementation, and others. The aim of the programme is to train highly qualified graduates of Bachelor's degree programmes in Political Science, professional analysts who are able to competently (re)interpret, analyse, compare and evaluate political, economic and social processes in the countries and regions of the developing world, to (re)interpret and evaluate trends and strategies in international assistance to the countries of the developing world, to carry out independent research, and to design and implement practical and applied projects. Students can choose to study Turkish, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic.
While studying in the programme, students will be able to take advantage of the Erasmus exchange programme and experience studying not only in over 60 European universities, but also all over the world, from the USA to Japan.
Access to professional activity or further study:
Access to professional activity:
Graduates of the programme have a wide range of career options depending on their areas of interest, strengths and personal goals. After graduation, graduates will have a broad range of personal career paths, such as:
Public sector: working in public institutions such as government, ministries or municipalities, in policy-making, law-making, administration and other areas, as a specialist, civil servant, head of unit.
Diplomacy: Become a diplomat or work in the Foreign Ministry service.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): Involvement in humanitarian aid and project development in developing countries as a project manager.
Human Rights Organisations: Advocate for human rights and work with international organisations working for justice and equality.
Business: In consultancy firms, provide policy, regulatory or public sector advice to companies.
Working for international organisations such as the United Nations or the European Union.
