REGULATIONS FOR THE

POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

ACADEMIC YEAR 2000/2001

•  Admission Requirements

• Duration

• Objectives

• Programme of Study
  Diploma Time Table 2002/2003
  

• Examinations

• Requirements for the Award of the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations

• Fees

• Scholarships

 

 

 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the prescribed course of study for the Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations is normally restricted to University Graduates holding a degree in such fields as Law, Economics, Political Science, Government, Sociology, Public Administration, History, Humanities, Spanish or French, or to persons holding equivalent qualifications from approved professional bodies. However, possession of a degree does not automatically entitle a candidate to admission. Candidates for admission may have to pass an entrance examination.

Applications for admission should be made on the prescribed forms which can be obtained from the School for Graduate Studies and Research, Administration Building, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, W.I., and should be submitted to this Office no later than February 29, 2000.

Duration

Candidates are required to follow the prescribed course of study of one academic year, which is divided, into two semesters. The first semester covers the period September to January, and the second semester covers the period February to June. Regular attendance is expected. Examinations are held in January and June.

Objectives

The curriculum of studies for the Postgraduate Diploma is structured with several objectives in mind:

To offer a set of basic general courses in the field of International Relations;

To emphasise regional and international problems of the Caribbean and Latin American regions without relinquishing the broader scope of International Relations;

To consider specific topics related to the international problems and policies of the Third World;

To concentrate, in some of the teaching, on policy-oriented and practical aspects of International Diplomacy;

 

Programme of Study

The Syllabus is as follows:

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

History of the modern world system;

Factors and instruments of foreign policy;

Interstate relations;

Contemporary problems of international politics;

Case studies

INTERNATIONAL MONEY AND FINANCE

Introduction:

Financial aspects of the open economy;

The relationship between trade and finance;

The balance of payments and approaches to adjustments;

The foreign exchange market;

Determination of exchange rates;

Exchange rates regimes and policies;

The International Monetary System:

The Bretton Woods Agreement- background, objectives and subsequent development;

The post-1973 international monetary arrangements;

Issues relating to the IMF

Issues and Problems in Development Finance

Private foreign investment - role in development, changing forms, the transnational corporation;

Public external borrowing - role, debt servicing problems, sources of finance;

Foreign aid - trends and issues.

 

THEORY AND METHODOLOGY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Introduces students to the methodology and theoretical aspects of the study of international relations. It consists of two parts. Part One deals with the epistemological assumptions upon which the search for valid knowledge in the discipline of international relations is based, as well as some of the controversies, which surround these assumptions. Part Two concentrates on the presentations and critical evaluations of some of the many different explanatory modes that claim to account for why events and occurrences in the international system take the forms and meanings that they take.

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF DIPLOMACY

Diplomacy: Definitions and approaches.

Scope of course.

Sources of modern diplomatic and consular and relations.

Law and Diplomacy

Methodology

Case Studies

Foreign Policy and national interest.

The art of diplomacy;

Evolution of diplomacy, ancient and new, methods and techniques;

Functions of diplomats;

Categories, status, privileges, immunities of diplomats and consuls;

Administration of foreign policy;

The art of negotiation;

Structure of Ministries of External Affairs, Embassies, and Consulates;

Drafting of diplomatic documents, Protocol;

The diplomacy of development, Case Studies

SEMINARS

Each candidate follows one Seminar of his/her choice. The available choices are made known early in the first semester.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Each candidate is required to have a reading knowledge of a second language to be chosen from Spanish, French, Dutch or Portuguese. Special courses, adapted to the needs of International Relations, in both French and Spanish, are available at the Institute.

SECOND SEMESTER

 INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Introduction: International trade and economic development, special reference to small economies - An Overview;

International Trade theories: classical, modern, and new;

Terms of Trade and development;

Trade policy for development: Free Trade, protection, import substitution, export orientation;

Commercial policy: tariffs, quotas, subsidies;

Commodity exports and development: commodity markets, export stability, import substitution, export orientation;

International action of commodities (ICAs, ICF, STABEX);

Theory and practice of economic integration;

Technology transfer and development;

Trade in services;

Trade-related investment issues;

International Trading system:

Structure, MTN, GSP, STSP, regional preferential schemes;

Protectionism and structural adjustment;

State trading and trade between socialist countries and developing countries;

Developing countries and the world economy: NIEO.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE CARIBBEAN

Historical evolution of international relations in the Caribbean;

Foundations and conduct of foreign policy of Caribbean States;

The Caribbean in the international system (regional, hemispheric, worldwide);

Contemporary international problems and issues of the Caribbean area.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF LATIN AMERICA

The Political Framework of Latin American International Relations

The Political Culture of Latin America

Latin America in the World System; History, International Strategies and Paradigms;

Latin American Foreign Relations: Organisation, Conduct, Process

Formulation, Process and Management of External Relations;

Domestic and External Influences on Foreign Policy;

Global and Regional Foreign Policies: Case Studies;

Structural and Systemic Factors in Latin American International Relations

Models of Social and Economic Growth and Development;

Integration Schemes and Trade Arrangement;

The Dynamics of the Inter-American System;

Latin America in International Organisations and NGOs;

Key Issues in the Contemporary International Relations of Latin America

The Political Economy of the Debt Crisis;

Managing Regional Conflict and Turmoil;

The Regional Impact of Changes in Superpower Relations;

The Drug Trade;

Migration: Problem or Solution;

The Latin American Agenda for the 1990s

 

POLITICAL ECONOMY OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANISATION

The objectives, structure, authority, operation and political processes of the United Nations and other international and regional institutions. These include the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Economic Community (EC), the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries (in Lomé), the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OAS).

SEMINAR

Continuation of the First Semester

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Continuation of the First Semester

ENTRY TO EXAMINATION

Entry to the examination will be made at the same time as registration for the course. Such registration shall take place during the first semester. However, in exceptional cases, and with the consent of the Institute, a student may register up to the third week of the first semester.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations must fulfill the requirements for both semesters. Candidates are expected to pass all courses. Candidates who had to take Supplemental Examinations at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, may not be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma beyond the Pass Grade.

AWARD OF POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA

The report of the Institute's Board of Examiners shall be laid before the University Academic Committee for approval.

A Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations under the seal of the University of the West Indies shall be sent thereafter to each successful candidate.

FEES

Information on fees is available on request. Please contact the Institute of International Relations Secretariat for such information.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A limited number of scholarships is usually available and these are awarded on the basis of academic standing and demonstrated potential for advanced study and research. Unless otherwise stated, awards are for one year and no student may hold more than one major scholarship or fellowship in any one year.

Candidates may apply to the Institute for such scholarships funded by foreign governments and institutions as may be available. Candidates from countries, which are members of the Organisation of American States (OAS), or of the Commonwealth can apply through their governments to those organisations for fellowships to pursue studies at the Institute. Graduates of the University of the West Indies are eligible for a postgraduate award of the University.

Candidates from outside the Caribbean area are advised to seek financial assistance from their respective governments or from any private foundation or international institution as the scholarships available at the Institute are reserved for nationals of Commonwealth Caribbean Countries.

August 2002