Master of Arts in Global Studies

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. Rather we have to understand the phenomena described as globalisation as a collection of political, economic, social and cultural projects to manage increasing transnational and transcontinental connectedness (the so-called global condition). Therefore, the multi-national class-room of the programme and the cross-over of contributions from various disciplines and universities dealing either with some of these projects and/or with their conflicts and resulting entanglements offer a substantial added value to the study of processes of globalisation. Each year we count almost 150 students staggered across two cohorts. They represent citizens from forty-five different nations from all world regions, which results in a truly global classroom experience.

The Erasmus Mundus Master in “Global Studies – A European Perspective” is a two-year Master’s programme divided into four phases (two winter and two summer terms). Students take up one year at one of the European partner institutions, and spend the second study year at another European partner university. For an overview of the European partner institutions, their specialisations and education portfolio, see https://globalstudies-masters.eu/about/members/

The joint module structure of the EMJMD consists of the following components: in the first term, students are presented with the basic understanding of global studies. This consists of an “Introduction to Global History”, an interdisciplinary introduction in “Theories of Global Studies”, and a post-disciplinary module on “Methods of Global Studies”. During the second and third term, specialised thematic modules on global phenomena based on specific case studies from different world regions are offered. Students have the option to spend the third term at one of the non-European partner universities of the EMGS Consortium. For an overview of the non-European partners, see https://globalstudies-masters.eu/program/course-offer-at-non-european-partner-universities/. In the fourth, and final, term, students write their Master’s dissertation as well as attend dissertation seminars and colloquia.

In addition, winter schools take place each year in December, some weeks after students have started the programme. Their focus is on introductory information and course units. The winter school familiarises students with the complementary study programme of each partner university. This process is further strengthened during the summer schools, which take place in July of the following year. Co-taught course units focus on methodological aspects and provide important support and advice to students for drafting their Master’s dissertation. A further essential component to start the Master’s dissertation process is a workshop in which students present their first ideas about the topic they chose. Finally, the summer schools not only prepare students for the second year but also for challenges they will face on the labour market after graduation.

This international research-based Master's programme provides excellent training for future careers both inside and outside academia, training experts who can analyse and navigate globalisation processes from multiple perspectives. Our graduates are well prepared for academic positions in the field of Global Studies and related disciplines dealing with global phenomena as well as for jobs in supranational agencies and non-governmental organisations. They are ready to work as intercultural mediators in the fields of foreign aid, economy, management, and beyond while contributing to pioneering scholarship for understanding the past, investigating the present, and debating the future.

In the EMGS programme, students learn:
• to develop a multidisciplinary understanding of processes of globalisation (global history, international studies, political economy, human geography, transregional and area studies etc.), knowledge of how concepts of globalisation worked out in the past and today in different world regions; and
• to have insight into the production of social scientific knowledge and to relate this knowledge production to concepts of globalisation.

The EMGS programme enables its students:
• to develop the necessary social and communicative skills to work both independently and in collaboration with others in a profoundly multidisciplinary and multicultural context;
• to be aware of one’s rootedness in a specific discipline and academic culture and
• to develop general and professional skills for a wide range of possible future employment through work placements as well as the skills acquired in class that are required for specific labour markets (such as simulations of international conferences, presentations of short memos on complex topics, explanations of the organisational consequences of specific political ideas in a multilevel governance system etc.);
• to compare and apply socio-political concepts and configurations and to investigate their mutual interactions;
• to apply these insights and concepts in the design and execution of an independent study or research project and to present it in a scientifically sound paper, report, or dissertation.

For more information about career prospects, see the career surveys conducted by the EMGS consortium.