The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS)

MA Program in German and Eastern European Studies (Two Year Program)

MA Program in Germany and Eastern Europe

Introduction

The MA Program in Germany and Eastern Europe is a two year program offered by the Babes-Bolyai University in partnership with the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy.

Credits - 120 ECTS Credits

Length – 4 Semesters

Locations – Berlin, Germany and Cluj, Romania

Professional Development - The Professional Development Training Program provides students with the opportunity to apply in practice what they learn in theory in their studies and gain valuable professional experience. The program is completed during the second semester of studies.

Tuition - €12,000

The MA Program in Germany and Eastern Europe curriculum emphasises primarily competencies relating to Germany, East Central, Southeast, and Eastern Europe. The aim of the studies is to develop interdisciplinary German and Eastern-European related cultural competence as well as comprehensive methodological competences in different academic fields. The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop their intellectual judgement, linguistic and communicative ability as well as the ability to work in a team; at the same time they should be taught to independently and creatively analyse complex data, to independently plan, conduct and evaluate individual projects dealing with Germany and Eastern Europe.

The program guarantees to provide students with additional expertise in the field of cultural diplomacy, a new and attractive field of studies, which is currently offered as academic field only through the Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. This unique thematic focus of this degree provides students with expertise in two distinct academic fields, thus with an academic and practical advantage in the European and Global Arena.    

The program provides students with practical experience for both academic and professional development, preparing students for careers in diverse fields, such as the field of international relations, the humanities, business, the financial sector, politics and culture, with a special focus on Cultural Diplomacy institutions and the application of Cultural Diplomacy in the framework of foreign policy and international Relations.

On a practical level, the international environment of the Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies offers students a unique opportunity to interact with leading experts and academics at a wide variety of international organizations and research centers. This exceptional learning environment leads to original research and independent study opportunities. The program at the Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies addresses contemporary international issues, with classroom seminars and lectures, as well as educational & cultural events, conferences, professional trainings, tours, visits and meetings with foreign officials, which are further incorporated into the curriculum. Students will meet with leading experts working in international organizations, embassies, and academic institutions, and will engage with specialists in the areas of International Relations & Economics, Business, Communication, Politics, Human Rights, Culture, Peace Building, Multilateral Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, and Development.  This allows students to create a solid professional network and form a concrete base for future academic and professional career choices, preparing students for engagement in the international arena, civil society, politics, governmental organizations and international economic organizations, as well as the private sector.

Dates of Next Program for 2018 »

Enrolments to the Program are possible towards the fall, winter and spring semesters’ start each year. To learn about the possible Start Dates of the program for the academic year 2018, please click HERE.

Program Structure

The program consists of 120 ECTS Credits in total and has duration of four semesters, which take place in the Center of Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS) in Berlin, Germany and in the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania. This unique structure of the program provides the students with the advantage of learning in 2 different major European cities and thus the opportunity to gain academic, professional and personal experience from living in different cultures. Furthermore, the program’s structure provides a unique opportunity to benefit from the study environment in both an international nongovernmental organization and a traditional public University.

The program follows the conventional university structure of a two academic years’ program divided into four semesters. Students are offered elective courses to accompany mandatory courses, professional development experience and the final thesis.

The first 2 semesters will take place in the Center of Cultural Diplomacy Studies (CCDS) in Berlin. The first semester will consist of three mandatory modules and two elective courses. The second semester will consist of the professional development program and 2 elective courses. In the second academic year students will continue to the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj- Romania for the 3rd Semester and the 4th Semester.

Program Curriculum

Semester 1 (30 Credits)

(Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies; Berlin, Germany)

Mandatory Courses for Semester One are:
  • The History and Evolution of the Field of Cultural Diplomacy
  • International Case Studies of Cultural Diplomacy
  • Future Trends in International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy
* Elective Courses for Semester One, (2 of which each student must undertake), include:
  • Nation Branding and Unilateral Cultural Diplomacy
  • Contemporary German Foreign Policy
  • International Organizations
  • European Politics

Semester 2 (30 Credits)

(Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies; Berlin, Germany)

During the second semester, students will undertake a professional development and training program at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy as well as two 2 elective courses. The professional development program is designed individually with each of the students and is composed of part or all of the following main components:
  • Research
  • Development of Cultural Diplomacy Initiative
  • Participating in and Contributing to ICD’s Projects, Activities and Conferences
* Elective Courses for Semester Two, (2 of which each student must undertake), include:
  • Models of Cultural Diplomacy
  • Religion and Cultural Diplomacy
  • Soft Power, Hard Power, and Smart Power
  • Cultural Diplomacy in Conflict Zones
  • The Private Sector and Cultural Diplomacy
*Elective Courses - The decision of the offered elective courses is made by the CCDS faculty, in accordance with the timing period of the Semester, logistical issues as well the planned activities of the ICD during the prospective period. Based on this decision, it is possible that only two courses will be offered in the given semester and students will need to take these courses.

Semester 3 (30 Credits)

(30 Credits) (Babes-Bolyai University; Cluj, Romania)

Mandatory Courses for Semester Three are:
  • Modern and Contemporary History of Central and Eastern Europe
  • Intellectual Fundaments of Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Collective Identities in Europe
  • Political Ideas and Institutions in Germany
  • Intercultural Organizational Communication
  • Germany and Eastern Europe
  • Administrative Law
Elective Courses for Semester Three, (2 of which each student must undertake), include:
  • Transformations in Central and Eastern Politics, Society, Literature and Art
  • Social Diagnosis
  • National Minorities in Europe
  • International Development Policy
  • European Security Policy
  • European Business Law
  • Elective course out of the curriculum from MA programs offered by UBB

Semester 4 (30 Credits)

(Babes-Bolyai University; Cluj, Romania)

Students are required to complete a Master's Dissertation during their fourth semester of study, and will be provided with guidance on how to choose an appropriate topic, how to identify and locate the necessary sources. The topic, structure, and length of each Dissertation will be subject to individual review and Faculty mentor approval. The students will be asked to defend their Dissertation before a panel of Faculty members prior to receiving a final grade.

Students will be required to take four developmental workshop courses, which will guide them in the completion of their thesis.

Mandatory Courses for Semester Four are:
  • Advanced Research Methods in Social and Human Disciplines
  • Sustainable Development
  • Comparative Analysis of European Societies
  • Colloquium: Master Research
  • Participation in public lectures of BBU for MA
Elective Courses for Semester Four, (2 of which each student must undertake), include:
  • Contemporary German Philosophy
  • Management of European projects
  • Elective course out of the curriculum from MA programs offered by UBB