Study Track: International Relations and Diplomacy

 

Academic Year 2024-2025

Why follow the International Relations and Diplomacy study track? 

Given the strong emphasis of the educational offer on international relations and diplomacy at both the College of Europe and The Fletcher School, MATA students may choose to focus on these aspects as part of their study programme on transatlantic affairs 

MATA 2022-2023
MATA students with former US Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner.

I've learned academic knowledge and developed professional skills that will allow me to pursue a strong diplomatic or political career within international organisations. Adam Beunardeau-Pammen, class of 2024

 

Students starting at the College of Europe

Students starting at the Fletcher School

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 1 in Bruges

 20 ECTS

1 MATA compulsory course (27h, 5 ECTS)

US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs (J. SHATTUCK & I. LESSER)

5 IRD compulsory courses (15 ECTS)

IRD compulsory courses

  • EU Foreign and Security Policy (A. JUNCOS, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
  • EU Institutions and Decision-Making (C. LORD, 1 ECTS, 15h)
  • International and EU Negotiation Analysis (F. MARCHI, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)

IRD compulsory courses (select 2)

  • External Dimensions of EU Internal Policies: Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment (S. SCHUNZ, 3.5 ECTS, 10h) OR External Dimensions of EU Internal Policies: Migration, Gender, and Religious Engagement (S. WOLFF, 3.5 ECTS, 10h)
  • The EU in a Global Political Economy Context (S. GSTÖHL, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
  • Understanding EU Diplomacy in Practice through the Lens of Case Studies (G. WIEGAND, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)
  • Legal Aspects of the EU’s External Relations (J. WOUTERS, 3.5 ECTS, 20h)

IRD compact seminars—some may be taught during the second semester (voluntary, 8h, no ECTS)

EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (S. BELLOSI)

Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER)

Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (J. DE BAENST and E. JESLINKOVA)

Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN)

Working with EU Media (G. HARDING)

La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA)

Challenges Facing European Diplomats: Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING)

L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA)

Leadership in Foreign Policy: Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON)

MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship Preparation

Research Design in EU External Action Studies (S. GSTÖHL & S. SCHUNZ, 12h, optional, no ECTS)

Select primary thesis supervisor from IRD faculty

Begin internship search

 

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 2 in Bruges

26 ECTS

2 MATA compulsory courses

US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Transatlantic Project (B. BERTI & B. LETE, 5 ECTS, 20h)

Southern Atlanticism: Rethinking Mental Maps of Transatlantic Relations (I. LESSER, no ECTS, 8h)

IRD simulation game compulsory (30h, 3 ECTS)

 

4 IRD optional courses (25h, 4.5 ECTS)

 

Simulation Game: EU International Crisis Response (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER)

IRD optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters):

Security, Justice and Values

  • Les politiques étrangères nationales et l’action extérieure de l’Union européenne (D. CADIER)
  • EU Borders, Asylum and Migration Policies: A Critical Perspective  (V. MORENO-LAX)
  • Hybrid Threats to European Security: Challenges and Counteraction (H. SMITH)
  • L’Europe de la sécurité et de la défense (PSCD, capacités, cultures stratégiques) (T. TARDY)
  • EU Democracy Promotion and Human Rights Policy (R. YOUNGS)

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development

  • EU External Energy Policy (A. GOLDTHAU)
  • The EU and International Development (J. MACKIE)
  • Négociations et politiques commerciales de l’UE : outils et études de cas (N. PERIDY)
  • The European Union’s Green Diplomacy in an Evolving Global Context (S. SCHUNZ)
  • Political Risk Analysis in a European Perspective (C.E SOTILOTTA)

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy

  • What’s Gender Got to Do with It? Analysing the Inclusiveness of EU External Action (G. ALLWOOD & R. GUERRINA)
  • Les relations de l'Union européenne avec les grandes puissances (T. DE WILDE D’ESTMAEL)
  • The Transatlantic Partnership: Renewal and Global Challenges (S. FRÖHLICH)
  • Speaking with One Voice? The EU's External Representation  (C-M GEURTS  & S. gstöhl)
  • The Evolving Relations between the EU and China: Partnership and Competition in a Changing World Order (A MICHALSKI)
  • EU Enlargement … and UK Withdrawal Order (D PHINNEMORE)

Specific Professional Skills

  • European Intelligence Analysis and Production in Practice (R. ARCOS)
  • The EU and Peace Mediation (G. BANIM G. & A. HERRBERG)
  • Public Relations and Communications Management (C. COLOMINA SALO)
  • Le rôle de l’aide humanitaire dans l’action extérieure globale de l’Union européenne : cadre et pratique (A. KOULAIMAH)
  • Digital Diplomacy and the European Union: Global Governance, Geopolitics and Diplomatic Practice (J. KURBALIJA & S. TELEANU)
  • Gestion de projets dans la coopération internationale de l’Union européenne (N. MARCOUX)

IRD compact seminars—some may be taught during the first semester (voluntary, 8h, no ECTS)

EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (S. BELLOSI)

Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER)

Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (J. DE BAENST and E. JESLINKOVA)

Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN)

Working with EU Media (G. HARDING)

La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA)

Challenges Facing European Diplomats: Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING)

L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA)

Leadership in Foreign Policy: Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON)

MATA-IRD Study trips

MATA study trip to Brussels

IRD study trip to Geneva

MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship Preparation

Submit thesis proposal

Continue internship search / submit internship approval form (for fall internship)

 

Option 1: IRD Study Track Year 2

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 3 at The Fletcher School     

24 ECTS

4 courses at The Fletcher School, 24 ECTS

 

At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO)
  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)
  • Economics and International Business (EIB)

Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible

MATA-IRD Thesis and Internship preparation

Fletcher faculty member assigned as second supervisor

Submit internship approval form

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 4

50 ECTS

MATA thesis submission, 25 ECTS

High-level internship, 25 ECTS

Submit internship report

 

Option 2: IRD Study Track Year 2

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 3

High-level internship, 25 ECTS

Submit internship report

Fletcher faculty member assigned as second supervisor

Select courses for Semester 4

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 4 at the Fletcher School     

49 ECTS

MATA thesis submission, 25 ECTS

4 courses at The Fletcher School, 24 ECTS

 

At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO)
  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)
  • Economics and International Business (EIB)

Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible

 

 

Students starting at the Fletcher School
for the IRD Study Track

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 1 at the Fletcher School

23 ECTS

1 MATA compulsory course (27h, 5 ECTS)

US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transatlantic Affairs (J. SHATTUCK & I. LESSER)

3 Fletcher courses, 6 ECTS each

At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO)
  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)
  • Economics and International Business (EIB)

Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible

Thesis and internship preparation

Select thesis supervisor from Fletcher

Begin internship search

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 2 at the Fletcher School

29 ECTS

1 MATA compulsory course (20h, 5 ECTS)

US-EU Relations in the 21st Century: Transatlantic Project (B. BERTI & B. LETE)

4 Fletcher courses, 6 ECTS each

At least one course from each of the three divisions (‘breadth requirement’):

  • International Law and Organizations (ILO)
  • Diplomacy, History and Politics (DHP)
  • Economics and International Business (EIB)

Cross-registration and substitution of 1 course from Tufts University or Harvard University possible

Thesis and internship preparation

Submit thesis proposal

Submit internship approval form

 

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 3

25 ECTS

High-level internship, 25 ECTS

Submit internship report

IRD faculty member assigned as second supervisor

Select courses for Semester 4

 

 

IRD STUDY TRACK SEMESTER 4 in Bruges     

43 ECTS

MATA Thesis submission (25 ECTS)

MATA compulsory compact seminar (8h, no ECTS)

Southern Atlanticism: Rethinking Mental Maps of Transatlantic Relations (I. LESSER)

IRD simulation game (voluntary, 30h, no ECTS)

 

4 IRD optional courses (25h, 4.5 ECTS each)

 

 

Simulation Game: EU International Crisis Response (A. RIBO LABASTIDA & Q. WEILER)

 

IRD optional courses (select 4, preferably spread across at least 2 different clusters):

Security, Justice and Values

  • Les politiques étrangères nationales et l’action extérieure de l’Union européenne (D. CADIER)
  • EU Borders, Asylum and Migration Policies: A Critical Perspective (V. MORENO-LAX)
  • Hybrid Threats to European Security: Challenges and Counteraction (H. SMITH)
  • L’Europe de la sécurité et de la défense (PSCD, capacités, cultures stratégiques) (T. TARDY)
  • EU Democracy Promotion and Human Rights Policy (R. YOUNGS)

Foreign Economic Relations and Sustainable Development

  • EU External Energy Policy (A. GOLDTHAU)
  • The EU and International Development (J. MACKIE)
  • Négociations et politiques commerciales de l’UE : outils et études de cas (N. PERIDY)
  • The European Union’s Green Diplomacy in an Evolving Global Context (S. SCHUNZ)
  • Political Risk Analysis in a European Perspective (C.E SOTILOTTA)

Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy

  • What’s Gender Got to Do with It? Analysing the Inclusiveness of EU External Action (G. ALLWOOD & R. GUERRINA)
  • Les relations de l'Union européenne avec les grandes puissances (T. DE WILDE D’ESTMAEL)
  • The Transatlantic Partnership: Renewal and Global Challenges (S. FRÖHLICH)
  • Speaking with One Voice? The EU's External Representation  (C-M GEURTS  & S. gstöhl)
  • The Evolving Relations between the EU and China: Partnership and Competition in a Changing World Order (A MICHALSKI)
  • EU Enlargement … and UK Withdrawal Order (D PHINNEMORE)

Specific Professional Skills

  • European Intelligence Analysis and Production in Practice (R. ARCOS)
  • The EU and Peace Mediation (G. BANIM G. & A. HERRBERG)
  • Public Relations and Communications Management (C. COLOMINA SALO)
  • Le rôle de l’aide humanitaire dans l’action extérieure globale de l’Union européenne : cadre et pratique (A. KOULAIMAH)
  • Digital Diplomacy and the European Union: Global Governance, Geopolitics and Diplomatic Practice (J. KURBALIJA & S. TELEANU)
  • Gestion de projets dans la coopération internationale de l’Union européenne (N. MARCOUX)

MATA-IRD Study trips

 

MATA study trip to Brussels

IRD study trip to Geneva

IRD compact seminars—some may be taught during the first semester (voluntary, 8h, no ECTS)

 

EU Public Diplomacy in an Increasingly Competitive World (S. BELLOSI)

Political Thinking and Presenting Political Briefings (Z. COLLIER)

Introduction au protocole : protocole diplomatique et européen (J. DE BAENST and E. JESLINKOVA)

Prospective et planification stratégiques dans le cadre de la politique étrangère de l’UE (H. DELPHIN)

Working with EU Media (G. HARDING)

La diplomatie de l’Union européenne sur le terrain dans les régions en conflit (R. KOBIA)

Challenges Facing European Diplomats: Practical Insights (Th. MAYR-HARTING)

L’action extérieure de l’Union européenne : Lobbying et stratégies d’influence (A. MUTAMBA)

Leadership in Foreign Policy: Strategic Thinking and Policy Planning (R. TON)

 

General News

All news