Global Studies — A European Perspective

This international research-based Master's programme combines perspectives, methods and theories developed in history, the social sciences, cultural as well as area studies and economics to investigate phenomena of global connectedness. We do not believe that globalisation exists as an objectively given, material reality which can be measured, but rather that we have to understand the phenomena described as globalisation as a bundle of political, economic, social and cultural projects to manage increasing transnational and transcontinental connectedness (the so-called global condition). Therefore, the multi-national classroom of the programme and the cross-over of contributions from various disciplines and universities dealing either with some of these projects or/and with their conflicts and resulting entanglements offer substantial added value to the study of processes of globalisation.

The learning targets of the programme are:

• to become familiar with different academic ways of looking at processes of globalisation
• to learn about how concepts of globalisation worked in the past and work today in various world regions
• to work with concepts from different analytical and theoretical perspectives
• to systematically compare socio-political concepts and configurations as well as to investigate their mutual interaction (cultural transfers)
• to gain insights into the production of social science knowledge and to relate knowledge production to concepts of globalisation
• to become aware of one's own rootedness in a specific discipline and academic culture

Since we start out from the assumption that there is no single discipline which is able to cover the whole set of phenomena summarised under the term globalisation, the programme favours a post-disciplinary organisation of knowledge production by giving precedence to comparative approaches (both diachronic and geographic), encompassing constructivist approaches and questioning essentialist notions. Taking the postcolonial challenge seriously, we would argue that the current disciplinary organisation of universities (which we nevertheless have to deal with) is often inadequate for the production of knowledge about the current world and that we have to reflect upon this inadequacy to overcome it at least partly.

Currently, almost 150 students are enrolled in the programme, representing citizens from 45 different nations from all world regions; this results in a truly global classroom experience.

Educational organisation

The European Master's in Global Studies starts in the winter semester of an academic year and is divided into four phases. The programme has a modular structure according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), as initiated by the Bologna Process. It is made up of 120 credits (the equivalent of a study workload of 900 hours per semester or 1,800 hours a year). Depending on the individual mobility track, students will attend modules such as: Introduction to Global History; Regions in Globalisation: Africa, The Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East; Introduction to Methods of Globalisation Research; Economic Change in Global History; Global Politics; Challenges for Security. In the final semester students write their Master's thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

The Master's programme in Global Studies is based on extensive study abroad experience. For all students it is obligatory to study at two different European member universities (University of Leipzig, Germany; London School of Economics and Political Science, UK; Roskilde University, Denmark; University of Vienna, Austria; University of Wroclaw, Poland).
The proposed mobility track is decided by the consortium with respect to the applicants' qualifications and specialisations and with respect to the consortium's criteria of a common policy of balance between the participating institutions.
There is the additional opportunity to study for one semester at one of the seven partner institutions of the consortium: Dalhousie (Canada), Fudan (China), Ghent (Belgium), Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Macquarie (Australia), Stellenbosch (South Africa) or Santa Barbara, California (USA).

Internships

All students are encouraged to complete an internship during the winter and/or summer break. Some information on internship opportunities will be provided by the programme.
A research internship is also offered as part of the programme in the third semester. Research internships will enhance students' ability to compose scientific papers.

Forms of assessment

There is an individual exam for each module.
The final grading is the total of the marks of the various modules plus the marks for the Master's thesis.

Course objectives

The programme aims at qualifying students to deal responsibly and on an advanced scientific level with the phenomenon of globalisation and its accompanying processes in countries of the North and the South on the basis of findings, theories and methods from the Humanities and Social Sciences, History and Cultural Sciences. Upon successful completion of this course, students should have developed their academic abilities to the extent necessary to qualify for PhD studies or to move on to a professional field, for which the course also provides key real-world qualifications.

Language requirements

Students are expected to have excellent proficiency in English (namely TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 80 (internet-based) OR IELTS (minimum 6.5) OR equivalent)
and to have a beginner's level knowledge of an additional foreign language.

Academic requirements

If you want to apply for the Master's course, you should fulfil the following requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences or Humanities or recognised equivalent from an accredited institution
• Above average academic performance
• Excellent knowledge of English and knowledge of a second foreign language at a beginner's level

Costs of living

Approx. 600-750 EUR per month should be calculated to cover all personal expenses.

Job opportunities

Leipzig offers a variety of job opportunities e.g. as one of the big trade fair centres, as a centre in European logistics and with its very strong cultural sector.

Funding opportunities within the university

Since the European Master Global Studies - A European Perspective is part of the Erasmus Mundus programme, a cooperation and mobility programme in the field of higher education, the programme is able to award a limited number of grants covering all tuition fees as well as living expenses.
http://gesi.sozphil.uni-leipzig.de/joint-projects/emgs/fees/

Arrival support

Administrative help is provided by officers especially appointed to the programme.
Well before the start of the programme, practical information is sent to prospective students concerning their arrival, accommodation, the city of Leipzig and cultural activities.
Students can be picked up from the railway station.

Services and support for international students

A broad variety of support and service is provided to all students, comprising tutoring, German language courses, an introductory week offered exclusively to students of the Master's course as well as a central orientation week for foreign students organised by the International Centre. Throughout the entire academic year several social events are held in order to allow students to meet outside classes and to get to know the city.

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Leipzig will be an easy task since there are numerous student residence halls run by the "Studentenwerk Leipzig" and the private market also offers a huge variety of shared apartments at reasonable prices (approx. 160-220 EUR per month for a room).