Major in Politics & International Relations
How do we make sense of the world to influence it? In a world marked by rapid global change, our interdisciplinary curriculum equips you with the tools to understand and navigate the complex forces shaping our societies such as environmental challenges, social polarisation and inequalities, technological change, global capitalism, international development, cooperation and security in the context of rising tensions.
Introduction to the major in Major in Politics & International Relations
Our academic approach combines in-depth analysis of political theories and international relations with critical reflection on contemporary events, enabling you to master key concepts while developing a well-informed global perspective.
Forward College’s flipped classroom model and small class sizes foster an active learning environment. Here, you will be expected to collaborate, debate, simulate negotiations, elaborate solutions on actual problems. This method applied to a highly international class nurtures the skills most valued in today’s world: critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.
As future leaders, you will not only be asked to analyse complex events and trends but also to imagine possible outcomes and strategies to impact the course of events: elaborating decision making processes, planning possible scenarios, building consensus and designing influence strategies will be part of your assignments.
In addition to academic excellence, this major fosters the development of social, emotional and practical intelligence. This is how we integrate opportunities for personal growth into our vision of empathetic and ethical leadership that the world desperately needs.
List of
courses
- Master International Relations and Political Theories
You’ll gain a strong understanding of key theories in international relations and politics – including emerging, more heterodox theories, helping you analyze global issues with confidence. Progressively, you’ll develop the ability to critically assess these theories and their relative relevance for real-world scenarios.
- Connect Theories to Real-World Issues
You’ll learn to bring together different theories and approaches to understand and address in depth key contemporary challenges, such as democracy, sustainability, and technological change.
- Solve Complex Global Problems
You’ll learn to think creatively and critically when approaching difficult real world issues, coming up with practical solutions (scenario planning, policy recommendations, consensus building approach, influence strategy…)
- Develop Independent Research Skills
You’ll learn how to use theoretical and empirical tools to carry out independent research and inquiry, equipping you to explore complex political questions and making your own contribution.
- Debate Solutions to Global Issues
You’ll learn to engage in sensitive debates with tact while mastering persuasive communication to make a real impact on a variety of audiences.
- Engage with Diverse cultures effectively
You’ll develop the ability to connect and engage constructively with individuals and groups coming from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
- Practice Ethical Decision-Making
You’ll develop your sensitivity to tradeoffs and learn how to make ethical decisions in the context of complex situations from a political and/or diplomatic perspective.
- Manage projects
You’ll develop project management skills to help you organise, plan and implement in teams long terms projects involving a variety of activities leading to an actual contribution on a specific topic
Graduating from our Open Bachelor’s with a Major in Politics & International Relations, you’ll be ready to excel in careers such as:
- Public Service and Government Administration: Policy advisor, public affairs manager, political analyst, senior government official in ministries or government agencies, parliamentary assistant.
- Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs: Diplomat, embassy attaché, foreign policy analyst, officer in international organisations (e.g., UN, EU).
- European Affairs, International Organizations, and NGOs: EU policy officer, program manager in international organisations, project officer in NGOs, regional integration specialist, advisor in global cooperation initiatives.
- Public Affairs and Institutional Relations: Public affairs consultant, lobbyist, corporate public relations specialist, institutional relations manager for large corporations with a focus on international partnerships.
- International Relations and Corporate Affairs: Corporate international relations manager, head of institutional relations in multinational companies, liaison officer for strategic international partnerships.
- International Development and Consulting: International development consultant, project manager, humanitarian program officer, strategic advisor in international NGOs and development agencies.
- Strategy Consulting and Political Risk: Geopolitical risk consultant, crisis management advisor, strategy consultant for public and private sector projects.
- Journalism and International Communications: Foreign correspondent, international news editor, political affairs journalist, media analyst specialising in foreign affairs.
- Think Tanks and Research: Policy researcher, public policy analyst, research fellow at think tanks, academic researcher in political science and international relations.
- Sustainability and Global Environmental Policy: Sustainability advisor, environmental policy analyst, consultant on climate action policies, project manager in global sustainability initiatives.
