International Relations

Overview

The programme is conducted by highly qualified teachers with excellent teaching capabilities. We learn variousconcept about the manner by which nation-states operate with each other in the international realm. We have seminars to discuss historical and contemporary issues pertaining to these concepts. Mithun Manojkumar.

 

Description

World politics is constantly evolving. The preconditions for international peace and security are changing. New patterns of cooperation and conflict are developing on regional and global levels.

This programme develops your skills in analysing and reflecting upon central questions in current international relations.After graduation you will be qualified to work with a whole array of issues related to international relations, such as foreign policy, international aid, international cooperation, conflict prevention and human rights. Potential employers could be the diplomatic service, local and national administrations, non-governmental organisations and international organisations.

This programme also provides a good foundation for further studies at the Master’s level.

Content

What is International Relations?

World politics is constantly evolving. The preconditions for international peace and security as well as human security are changing. New patterns of cooperation and conflict are developing on the regional as well as the global level. The bachelor's programme in International Relations develops your skills in analysing and reflecting upon central questions in current international relations.

Inside Gäddan 8, the building for the Faculty of Culture and Society.

During the programme you will learn about the current workings of international relations as well as recent key trends. You will also learn about predominant theoretical perspectives and central concepts upon which the International Relations discipline rests, and develop your ability to use these for independent analysis. The program also provides important knowledge about human rights, which affect and are affected by global political developments.

What makes International Relations unique?

In addition to compulsory courses, you will also have the opportunity to do an internship or take optional courses in Sweden or abroad. This means you are able to get valuable practical experience in international relations, as well as the possibility to develop and create networks and contacts with relevant organisations. Former students have interned at emabassies, the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.

Tips for finding internships, a checklist and contact information

Interviews

Sweden always interested me

Name: Mithun Manojkumar
Age: 24
Study: International Relations
Origin: Singapore

About studying in Sweden
I had always wanted to study abroad and I have many Swedish friends back home in Singapore that provided advice on the education in Sweden. Furthermore, Swedish universities are held in prestigious regard internationally. Many people complain about the climate here, but I must say that I really do like the weather.

About studying at Malmö University
I would say that Malmö University is unique in its way of practicing a multidisciplinary approach. Malmö bridges Scandinavia to continental Europe and it is an international city with many different nationalities. And should you step into my classroom, you would come across at least 30 different nationalities. This opportunity wouldn´t be found in any other university in any other part of the world. And then there is the fact that there are no other Swedish universities that offer full undergraduate programmes in English.

About the living situation in Sweden
Sweden as a country is very orderly and clean. Socially, people are very friendly and helpful. I like the fact that the architecture is traditional and medieval as well as progressive and futuristic, with Malmö being a prime example with interesting buildings such as the Turning Torso.

About studying International Relations
The programme is conducted by highly qualified teachers with excellent teaching capabilities. We learn various concept about the manner by which nation-states operate with each other in the international realm. We have seminars to discuss historical and contemporary issues pertaining to these concepts.

About the future
Professionally, I´m aspiring to become a diplomat and hopefully I will be able to pursue a Master’s programme within the region. Perhaps I will seek out a job here in Sweden first before I decide on which Master I intend to pursue, though I´m definitive going into politics. There is always the language question when it comes to job application here, but having personally learnt Swedish I can duly say that it´s not impossible. Furthermore, there are many multinational companies that use English as the language of profession.

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Former student writes book on the living conditions of women in Morocco

Jennie Silis is 29 years old and a graduate of the former programme Peace, Conflict and International Relations. She got her degree from Malmö University in 2007 and now she has published her first book, “En hedersam kvinna” (An Honourable Woman).

Mahjouba Edbouche who founded Oum El Banince. (Photo by Jennie Silis)

In 1976 Mahjouba Edbouche, 24 years old and heavily pregnant, is riding in a car with her husband and their five children. It’s July and on a road north of Agadir in southern Morocco her husband suddenly loses control of the vehicle. Mahjouba survives, along with her unborn child and the other children, but her husband is killed. It soon becomes clear that Mahjouba is worth nothing on her own. As a single woman and mother of six you are regarded as a burden in Morocco.

This tragic event becomes the starting point for Oum El Banine, a small, local organisation in Agadir, devoted to supporting pregnant, unmarried women and single mothers and their children, founded and run by Mahjouba. And it is Mahjouba’s story that becomes the foundation for Jennie Silis’s book.

– When Mahjouba told me about her life and said you could write a book about every woman at Oum El Banine I thought – I can write a book about her. That’s how I decided I wanted to write a book.

Jennie has just been to pick it up and is holding a very first copy of the book in her hand.

– It feels unreal. It’s a great feeling seeing your work in this format, as a printed book.
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Jennie Silis has written the book "En hedersam kvinna"  (An Honourable woman). She has always loved writing and is hoping to keep up writing. (Photo by Celanders)

Started studying at Malmö University

But to understand how Jennie ended up writing this book we need to go back in time ten years. When Jennie Silis is 19 years old she moves from Linköping to Malmö to start studying at Malmö University:

–Little did I know it would prove to be the best decision of my life.

Jennie thinks the programme is very good, but it’s theory-based. So when an opportunity to do an internship turns up, she decides to go to Morocco.

– I wanted to do something substantial and practical within my field of study. All I knew was that I really wanted to go to North Africa and work with women’s rights.

Did her internship in Morocco

On her first trip to Morocco in 2006 she just wants to get to know the country, but comes across Oum El Banine by chance. She does her internship in 2007, both in Agadir and at home in Sweden. In Morocco she follows the organisation, which runs a day care centre, provides protective housing for the women and children and does preventive work with young women. In Sweden she builds a website for Oum El Banine, in Swedish, English and French.

Lengthy process writing a book

Since she graduated in 2007, Jennie has held several different jobs at the same time as she has been working on the book. She travelled to Morocco eight times and paid for the whole project on her own. The book was completed a year ago and she has worked on getting it published since then.

– That in itself is a lengthy process. But then Celanders contacted me in March and were interested in publishing it.

Oum El Banine is situated in Agadir. Here's a picture from the Atlas mountains to the East where many of the women seeking shelter come from, most of them poor and illiterate. (Photo by Jennie Silis)

The book describes the legal system in Morocco: how sharia law works, what family law looks like and what the consequences of the system are. But it is also reportage, a description of the living conditions of Moroccan women. It’s a slice of reality that gives a voice to the women and their dramatic stories, an image of Morocco that is not often displayed.

– Before the Arab spring, this region was hardly ever represented in the Media. And the debate about ‘honour’ violence is often limited to discussions of religion, predominately Islam, while the underlying factors such as poverty, patriarchal structures and power relations are rarely considered. From the outside the country seems quite stable. But as a tourist you only meet and hear men. I wanted to describe what the reality is like for women.

Jennie hopes that teachers, students and other people who are interested will read her book. She also hopes to have it translated into English.

Career

What career will I be prepared for?

This programme provides a good foundation for further studies at the master's level. You will also be able to work with a whole array of issues related to international relations, such as foreign policy, international aid, development, international cooperation, conflict prevention and human rights. Potential employers could be the diplomatic service, local and national administrations, non-governmental organisations and international organisations.

Internship - an optional course

At the Department of Global Political Studies, students have the opportunity to undertake an internship during one semester.

Read more about the course Internship

Contact

Further information

Ingrid Alexandersson, student services assistant
Phone: 040-66 57331
E-mail: ingrid.alexandersson@mah.se

Johan Modée, programme responsible
Phone: 040-66 57586
E-mail: johan.modee@mah.se