Faculty of Arts Teaching and Examination Regulations 2010-2011 Master’s degree programme in

International Relations and International Organization

Contents 1. General provisions 2. Structure of the degree programme 3. Examinations and final assessment of the degree programme 4. Admission 5. Registration for course units and study progress supervision 6. Transitional and final provisions

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Section 1 General provisions Article 1.1 Applicability These Regulations apply to the teaching and examinations of the Master’s degree programme in International Relations and International Organization, hereinafter referred to as ‘the degree programme’. The degree programme is provided by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Faculty’. Article 1.2 Definitions The following definitions apply to these Regulations: a. Act: the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW; Wet op het Hoger Onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) b. Student: a person enrolled in the University for the purpose of taking course units and/or examinations and a final assessment leading to the conferral of a university degree c. Course unit: a teaching unit of the degree programme within the meaning of the Act d. Examination: formal rounding off of a course unit e. Partial examination: if the examination of a course unit consists of several parts, these are referred to as partial examinations f. Practical: a practical exercise, as referred to in Art. 7.13 of the Act, in one of the following forms: - a thesis - a written assignment, paper or draft - a research assignment - participation in fieldwork or an excursion - completion of a placement - active participation in a tutorial or computer practical - participation in another educational activity designed to teach certain skills g. Follow-on Master’s degree programme (doorstroommaster): a Master’s degree programme to which access is guaranteed on the basis of a specified Bachelor’s degree programme h. Final assessment: the final assessment of the Master’s degree programme i. Semester: part of the academic year, either starting on 1 September and ending on a date to be determined by the Board of the University on or around 31 January, or starting on the aforementioned date determined by the Board of the University and ending on 31 August. The other definitions shall have the meaning that the Act ascribes to them. Article 1.3 Aim of the degree programme The aim of the degree programme is to impart an academic education to students in terms of specialized knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of International Relations and International Organization, such that they are able to perform successfully in occupations for which academic knowledge and skills at Master’s degree level in the above field are required or preferred. Article 1.4 Type of degree programme The degree programme is full time.

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Section 2 Structure of the degree programme Article 2.1 Student workload 1. 2.

The degree programme has a student workload of 60 ECTS credit points, whereby one credit point is the equivalent of 28 hours of study. The student workload is expressed in whole ECTS credit points.

Article 2.2 Academic training The degree programme followed by a student must contain sufficient elements relating to the academic training of the student. Here is an overview of the learning outcomes of the degree programme. A. Subject-specific theoretical and content-related knowledge The ability to reproduce knowledge concerning the discipline in question; knowledge here is understood to mean: 1. advanced knowledge and understanding of key concepts and concept structures in the study of international political phenomena at an advanced level 2. advanced knowledge and understanding of the theories, models and approaches in the analysis of international relations and the role of international organizations in these at an advanced level 3. specialized knowledge and understanding of the political and legal or economic aspects of one of the main themes in the programme, namely (a) International Security, (b) International Political Economics, (c) European Integration, (d) Global Governance. B. Academic and subject-specific skills The ability to successfully apply academic and subject-specific skills. This is understood here to mean: 1. the ability to judge academic research in the field of international relations adequately, independently, critically and logically 2. the ability to report on research at an academic level both orally and in written form 3. mastery of the methods and techniques of academic research specific to the major 4. the ability to independently design, implement and reproduce theoretical or socially relevant research into international-political developments and phenomena where the connections between political and economic or legal aspects are studied 5. the ability to analyse the various aspects of an academic problem and their mutual relationships 6. the ability to conduct work of academic quality within the appropriate working environment 7. the ability to deal with complex issues, to form grounded judgments and present opinions clearly to an audience 8. the ability to independently plan and execute tasks at a professional or similar level 9. a critical and open scholarly attitude 10. the continual expansion of knowledge and understanding from the realization that sufficient knowledge and understanding of how international relations function requires constant learning. C. Generic skills The ability to apply generic skills; generic skills in this context comprise: 1. the ability to use IT as a study tool 2. good oral and written skills in Dutch and in at least one foreign language if the Dutch-taught Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie specialization is followed 3. the ability to read and comprehend English and Dutch at a level such that an academic debate in these languages can be followed if the Dutch-taught Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie specialization is followed 4. good oral and written skills in English if the English-taught International Relations and International Organization specialization is followed 5. the ability to read and comprehend English at a level such that an academic debate in this language can be followed if the English-taught International Relations and International Organization specialization is followed 6. the ability to plan and implement activities independently, to learn effectively, to organize the time available and to keep deadlines. 7. the ability to function in the labour market 8. the ability to function in a group in a hierarchical and subject-related work environment.

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Article 2.3 Specializations The degree programme has the following specializations: No. 1 2

Specialization Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie International Relations and International Organization

Article 2.4 Specialization course units Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie specialization No. Course unit 1 2 3 3

Advanced Theory of International Relations 1 Selected Topics 1 IRIO Research Module IRIO Research Module 2

Student workload in ECTS 5 5 10 10

4 5

MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO

10 20

1 2

This course unit is taught in English. Students can choose to replace one of these research modules with one or more alternative course units on condition that they offer a deepening of the content of one of the main areas of focus of the degree programme. The Board of Examiners must approve the student’s choice.

All course units can be followed either in the first or the second semester. Every semester, subjectspecific research modules will be offered. International Relations and International Organization specialization No. Course unit 1 2 6 6

Advanced Theory of International Relations Selected Topics IRIO Research Module IRIO Research Module 1

7 8

MA Placement in IRIO2 MA Thesis in IRIO

Student workload in ECTS 5 5 10 10 10 20

Students can choose to replace one of these research modules with one or more alternative course units on condition that they offer a deepening of the content of one of the main areas of focus of the degree programme. The Board of Examiners must approve the student’s choice. 2 With the approval of the Board of Examiners, this course unit may be replaced by a second Research Module offered by the degree programme. 1

Article 2.5 1.

Practical exercises

The following course units contain one or more practical exercises in the form indicated:

No.

Course unit

1

Advanced Theory of International Relations

2

Selected Topics

Type of practical exercise Active participation Active participation,

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Type of lecture Lectures, independent study Tutorials,

3

IRIO Research Module

written assignments, presentation Active participation, written assignments, presentation,

4

MA Placement in IRIO

Placement report

5

MA Thesis in IRIO

Thesis

6

IRIO Research Module 1

Active participation, written assignments, presentation,

7

MA Placement in IRIO1

Placement report

8

MA Thesis in IRIO1

Thesis

independent study Tutorials, independent study

paper Individual supervision Independent study (supervised) Tutorials, independent study

paper

1

Individual supervision Independent study (supervised)

The paper must be written in English.

2. The examination for a course unit listed under Article 2.5.1 may not be taken before the relevant practical exercises have been successfully followed. At the very least this includes active participation in at least 80% of the tutorials. 3. With regard to the following course units, successful participation in the practical exercises is considered to mean passing the relevant course unit: No. 4 5

Course unit MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO

7 8

MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO

4.

If a type of examination is not listed for a course unit in these Regulations because the course unit concerned a subject not taught in the programme, then the relevant Teaching and Examination Regulations for that course unit will apply.

Section 3 Examinations and final assessment of the degree programme Article 3.1 General 1.

Examinations, both interim and final, provide students with the information they need to assess whether they have achieved or will achieve the required learning outcomes. This will help them with their further participation in the degree programme in question. 2. The results of an examination are given as pass or fail, in whole numbers on a scale of 1 to 10, expressed as 6 or above or 5 or below, respectively. Article 3.2 Compulsory registration and order of the examinations

3.2.1

Compulsory registration for the examinations

Before taking an examination, students must register online via ProgRESS WWW. The registration period is set each year and published in the lecture timetable.

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If a student is not able to register in time due to force majeure, a limited post-registration possibility is available. The details of this regulation will be published annually in good time. 3.2.2. Compulsory order of examinations The examinations for the course units listed below may not be taken before the examinations for the associated course units have been passed: No. 4 5 7 8

Course unit MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO

No. 3 3 6 6

After passing course unit IRIO Research Module IRIO Research Module IRIO Research Module 1 IRIO Research Module 1

Article 3.3 Examination frequency and periods 1. 2.

There will be an opportunity to sit the examinations for the course units listed in Article 2.4 twice per academic year. If the number of times per academic year an examination may be taken is not listed for a course unit in these Regulations because the course unit concerned a subject not taught in the programme, then the relevant Teaching and Examination Regulations for that course unit will apply.

Article 3.4 Form of examinations

1.

The examinations for the course units listed in Article 2.4 shall be written examinations, with the exception of the following course units, which shall be assessed in the form indicated.

No. 2

Course unit Selected Topics

3

IRIO Research Module

4 5

MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO

6

IRIO Research Module 1

7 8

MA Placement in IRIO MA Thesis in IRIO

2.

3. 4.

Form of examination Written assignments, oral assignments, written examination Written assignments, oral assignments, written examination, paper Placement report Thesis Written assignments, oral assignments, written examination, paper Placement report Thesis

At the student’s written request, the Board of Examiners may allow an examination to be taken in a form different from that stated in Article 3.4.1. The Board of Examiners may also grant exemption from participation in practical exercises. In such cases, the Board of Examiners will require the practical exercise to be performed in a different way that it will determine. Students with a performance disability will be given the opportunity to take examinations in a form that will compensate as far as possible for their individual disability. If necessary, the Board of Examiners will seek expert advice on this matter. If a type of examination is not listed for a course unit in these Regulations because the course unit concerned a subject not taught in the programme, then the relevant Teaching and Examination Regulations for that course unit will apply.

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Article 3.5 Oral examinations 1.

Unless the Board of Examiners decides otherwise, an oral examination may only be taken by one student at a time. 2. Oral examinations are public, unless the Board of Examiners or the examiner stipulates otherwise or the student objects to the public nature of the examination. 3. An oral examination will be recorded in written, analogue or digital form. The presence of a second examiner is required if the recording is in written form. Article 3.6 Partial examinations If a course unit is divided into several sub-units, each of which is worth at least 5 ECTS, the final mark will be the weighted average of the marks (not rounded off) gained in the partial examinations. Only the results of partial examinations with their own ProgRESS code will be published on ProgRESS-WWW. Partial marks without codes will be placed on Nestor. All components must be passed. Article 3.7 Placement A placement plan comprising a list of the aims, the content of the placement and a plan of activities must be drawn up before the placement commences. This plan must be approved by the supervisors within the degree programme. The assessment of the placement will be by a supervisor from the programme and a supervisor from the host institution, who will have been appointed as examiners by the Board of Examiners. The placement will be rounded off with a placement report that will be assessed by the programme supervisor. Article 3.8 MA thesis 1. The MA thesis will be assessed by two examiners appointed by the Board of Examiners. 2. In principle, a student who is following two degree programmes must submit a separate thesis for each programme. 3. A thesis may only be written in a language other than Dutch if the examiner, i.e. the supervising lecturer(s), has given permission to do so. Article 3.9 Cheating and plagiarism 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Cheating is an act or omission by the examinee designed to partly or wholly hinder the forming of a correct assessment of his or her knowledge, understanding and skills. Plagiarism is defined as: a. the use of the ideas and phrases of others without reference to the source b. the inclusion in the argument of a translation or paraphrase of texts written by someone else c. the submission of the same or similar written assignments for different course units In the event of plagiarism during a practical exercise, the Board of Examiners may decide to ban the examinee from participating in the practical exercise for a period it will determine. This period will be no more than one year. In the event of cheating during an examination, the examiner may ban the examinee from further participation in the examination. In the event of cheating during an examination, the Board of Examiners may decide to ban the examinee from participating in that examination for a period it will determine. This period will be no more than one year. In some cases of plagiarism, the Board of Examiners may decide to pass the decision on to the Faculty Plagiarism Committee. The Board of Examiners will make a decision concerning a ban based on the written report by the invigilator of the cheating discovered by him/her, and after hearing the examinee’s side of the story.

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8.

The Board of Examiners/Faculty Plagiarism Committee will make a decision concerning a ban based on the written report by the examiner about the cheating or plagiarism discovered by him/her, and after hearing the examinee’s side of the story. 9. A ban means that no result will be awarded for the examination or practical exercise in question. 10. The Board of Examiners/Faculty Plagiarism Committee will inform the Faculty Board of all instances of cheating and/or plagiarism. Article 3.10 Marking of examinations and publication of marks

1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

The normal maximum time permitted for marking examinations is ten working days after the day of the examination or the day a written assignment is handed in. This may be extended to fifteen working days for examinations consisting of essay questions that were taken by more than 50 students. If the time remaining between an examination/written assignment and modification of the study planning is less than 10 or 15 working days respectively, the examination or written assignment must be marked at least one day before the planning module in ProgRESS WWW closes. Contrary to the provisions of Article 3.10.1, an examiner will decide the mark of an oral examination immediately on completion of the examination, and will provide the student with the relevant written confirmation. The written confirmation of the results of an examination will inform students of their right of inspection, as stipulated in Article 3.12.1, as well as of the possibility of an appeal to the Board of Appeal for Examinations. A course unit or an examination that has been passed may not be taken again. If an examination is taken in a form other than oral or written, the Board of Examiners will determine in advance how and when students will receive written confirmation of the result.

Article 3.11 Validity 1.

Course units that have been passed will remain valid for a maximum of four years from the moment the course unit was passed. 2. Contrary to the provisions of Article 3.11.1, the Board of Examiners may decide to recognize a course unit passed more than four years previously if the material learned is still relevant, or require the student to take a supplementary or substitute examination before allowing that student to progress to the final assessment. Article 3.12 Right of inspection

1. On request, students have the right to inspect their marked work during a period of at least six weeks after the results of a written examination have been made known. Also on request, they will be provided with a copy of the work at cost price. 2. Within the timeframe stipulated in Article 3.12.1, any person may request that they be allowed to peruse the examination paper and the assessment criteria. 3. The Board of Examiners can determine that inspection or perusal of examination papers will take place at a certain place and at two set times at least. If the person concerned can show that they were prevented by force majeure from attending at the indicated places and times, they will be offered another opportunity, if possible within the period stated in Article 3.12.1. Article 3.13 Exemptions 1.

At the student’s written request, the Board of Examiners, having discussed the matter with the examiner in question, may grant exemption from an examination on condition that the student: a. has completed part of a university or higher vocational degree that is equivalent in content and level b. or can demonstrate by work experience that he/she has sufficient knowledge and skills with respect to the course unit in question.

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Article 3.14 Final assessment 1.

Students who have passed all the examinations for a degree programme, or have satisfied the requirements for all parts of the programme approved by the Board of Examiners, must apply for the certificate no later than four weeks after doing so. The examination date entered on the certificate by the Board of Examiners is the date on which the student is deemed by the Board to have satisfied the final assessment requirements. 2. If the student applies for the certificate after the period specified in Article 3.14.1, the examination date entered on the certificate shall be the date on which the student is deemed by the Board of Examiners to have satisfied all the examination requirements, even if the date on which the Board takes this decision is in a subsequent academic year and the student is required to register for that year. 3. There will be at least ten opportunities a year for a final assessment. Article 3.15 Degree 1.

Students who have satisfied all the requirements of the final assessment shall be awarded the degree of ‘Master of Arts’. 2. The degree awarded shall be registered on the degree certificate. Article 3.16 Honours (‘Judicium’) 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

The Board of Examiners shall determine whether or not the Master’s degree certificate will be awarded an honours predicate. The following conditions apply: a) The mark for the thesis must satisfy the following minimum conditions: • Cum laude: the mark for the thesis must be at least 8.0 • Summa cum laude: the mark for the thesis must be at least 9.0 b) The weighted average (not rounded off) for all course units, excluding the thesis, within the examination programme approved by the Board of Examiners is • greater than or equal to 8.0 for Cum laude • greater than or equal to 9.0 for Summa cum laude No honours are awarded if the student workload of the exemptions in ECTS credit points is more than half the total number of ECTS for the degree programme. Honours may only be awarded if the examinations for the course units were taken only once. Honours may only be awarded if no single course unit was awarded a mark less than 7.0. In certain circumstances, the Board of Examiners may depart from the provisions set out in Articles 3.16.2-5. Students who started the degree programme before 1 September 2010 continue to fall under the honours regulations that applied to them on 31 August 2010.

Section 4 Admission Article 4.1 Language of instruction The degree programme will be taught in English with a number of course units taught in Dutch. The International Relations and International Organization specialization will be taught in English. 1.

In accordance with Article 7.2 of the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), the course units will be taught and the examinations set in Dutch. Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous sentence, a different language may be employed if: a. it is a degree programme concerning that language b. it concerns teaching provided within the framework of a visiting lectureship or by a lecturer who does not speak Dutch

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c.

the specific nature, design or quality of the degree programme or the origins of the students necessitate this, in accordance with the code of behaviour drawn up by the board of the institution. 1. c applies in part to the Internationale Betrekkingen en Internationale Organisatie specialization and in its entirety to the International Relations and International Organization specialization. 2. The Dutch language proficiency requirement will be met by passing the Dutch State Exam NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language). Article 4.2 Entry requirements 1.

2.

3. 4.

5.

6.

7.

Students with a Dutch or foreign certificate of higher education that indicates that they have knowledge and understanding of and subject-specific skills in international relations, in particular the Theory of International Relations, at academic Bachelor’s level shall be admitted to the degree programme. Holders of a certificate from the Bachelor’s degree programme in International Relations and International Organization of the University of Groningen or from another Dutch university are expected to have the knowledge, understanding and skills listed in Article 4.2.1 and will be admitted to the degree programme on that basis. Admission within the meaning of Articles 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 entitles a student to register for the degree programme. Holders of a different Bachelor’s degree certificate than that stated in Article 4.2.2 must submit a request for admission to the Master’s degree in Internationale Betrekkingen en International Organisatie or International Relations and International Organization to the Board of Examiners. The Board may decide to decline the request due to an insufficiently internationally orientated Bachelor’s degree, or to recommend that the applicant apply via a transfer programme. The transfer programme comprises 30 ECTS credit points and is offered during the first semester; it is designed to train the student in the following competences: - an understanding of the developments in the field and the most important paradigms of international relations, including International Political Economics - knowledge and understanding of the most important methods and approaches in the field - the necessary skills to conduct independent research and to write a well-argued report on an academically relevant and motivated problem definition, analysis and research The transfer programme comprises the following course units: - Leer der Internationale Betrekkingen/Theory of International Relations (10 ECTS) - Methode en Theorie van de Internationale Betrekkingen/Methodology and Theory of International Relations (5 ECTS) - These compulsory course units can be expanded at the discretion of the Board of Examiners with: - Kernvak IBIO / IRIO Core Module (15 ECTS). In addition, for the English-taught International Relations and International Organization specialization, the candidate must produce proof of sufficient mastery of English; the following are considered sufficient proof: - a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher) - the internet-based TOEFL test (iBT TOEFL, with a minimum score of 79) - IELTS, Academic Module, with a minimum score of 6.5 - a certificate from the University of Groningen Language Centre, at least B2, CEFR.

Article 4.3 Admission to specializations In addition to the provisions of Article 4.2, the following admission requirements apply to the International Relations and International Organization specialization: -

Sufficient knowledge of English to be able to follow the degree programme successfully. This requirement shall be met by passing a language proficiency test with a TOEFL score of 580 or above, or IELTS of 6.5 or above.

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Article 4.4 Provisional admission 1

2

At the written request of candidates who are preparing for the final examination for the Bachelor’s degree programme listed in Article 4.2.2, the Admissions Board as defined in Article 4.5 may admit them to the degree programme on condition that: - they only need to pass course units in the Bachelor’s degree programme with a combined student workload of no more than 10 ECTS credits points - they have successfully completed a BA thesis Conditional admission is valid for no more than two consecutive semesters and must then be replaced by admission as defined in Article 4.2

Article 4.5 Admissions Board 1.

Admission to the degree programme is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, which also draws up the regulations governing admissions.

Article 4.6 Admissions procedure for the degree programme Bearing in mind the admissions procedure for the degree programme within the meaning of Article 4.2.1, the Admissions Board shall assess the knowledge and skills of the candidate. In addition to the certified written proofs of degree programme(s) already followed, the Board may ask experts from within or outside the University to test certain areas of knowledge and skills. Article 4.7 Colloquium Doctum: times 1.

The Colloquium Doctum will be held twice a year before the start of the degree programme, which commences in the first and the second semesters. 2. Requests for admission to the degree programme must be submitted before 1 June or 1 December to the Admissions Board. 3. Only in exceptional cases will the Admissions Board consider an application submitted after the date stated in Article 4.7.2. 4. The Admissions Board will make a decision before 1 July or 31 December, respectively. Admission will be on condition that the candidate has satisfied the requirements set out in Article 4.2 concerning knowledge and skills by the starting date of the degree programme at the latest, supported by certificates from the degree programmes followed. The written admission decision will include information for the student about the possibility of an appeal to the Board of Appeal for Examinations.

Section 5 Registration for course units and study progress supervision Article 5.1 Registration for course units 1.

In order to be able to start in the first semester, all enrolled students must register in ProgRESS WWW before 1 July for the course units that they wish to follow in the new academic year. All enrolled students who start in the second semester must indicate in ProgRESS WWW before 15 December which course units they intend to follow in the second semester. Students will be able to make changes to their planning during the first three weeks of a semester. 2. The registration must contain all course units and all examinations and resits. An examination or resit is an examination or written assignment that forms part of the assessment of a course unit and which is taken during the annual examination periods. 3. The registration forms of non-Arts students or students with other qualifications must be sent in writing to the Office for Student Affairs before 1 September for starting in the first semester or before 1 February for starting in the second semester. The Office for Student Affairs will enter the plans into ProgRESS WWW.

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Article 5.2 Study progress administration 1. The Faculty Board is responsible for registering the individual results of students. 2. The Faculty Board will provide students with an overview of their results at least once a year. Article 5.3 Study progress supervision 1.

Within the framework of the admissions procedure, the Faculty Board is responsible for making an appointment with each student to discuss the individual degree programme to be followed. 2. The Faculty Board is responsible for providing students with an introductory programme at the start of their degree programme. 3. The Faculty Board will ensure that students have sufficient supervision during their degree programme, and will pay particular attention to possible changes deemed necessary to ensure the programmes are compatible either with conducting academic research or exercising a profession outside the University.

Section 6 Transitional and final provisions Article 6.1 Amendments 1.

Any amendments to these Regulations will, after due consultation with the degree programme advisory committee and the Faculty Council, be confirmed by the Faculty Board in a separate decree. 2. An amendment to these Regulations shall not apply to the current academic year, unless it may reasonably be assumed that the amendment will not harm the interests of students. 3. In addition, an amendment may not influence the following to the detriment of students: - the degree programme defined in Article 2.4 - any other decision taken within the meaning of these Regulations concerning a student. Article 6.2 Publication 1.

The Faculty Board shall duly publish these Regulations, any rules and guidelines formulated by the Board of Examiners, and any amendments to these documents. 2. Copies of the documents referred to in Article 6.2.1 are available from the Faculty Office. Article 6.3 Date of commencement These Regulations shall take effect on 1 September 2010. As decreed by the Faculty Board on 31 August 2010.

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