Disciplines in English will become compulsory for International Relations students

The curriculum for International Relations students will be enriched with new subjects in English.

Students of the VSUES School of Law successfully mastered the additional educational program  «Great Powers of the Asia-Pacific Region». All theoretical and practical classes were conducted exclusively in English. Andrey Kozinets, Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations and Law and Candidate of Political Science, tutored the group.

— English is undoubtedly one of the main tools of a specialist in international relations. It is important not just to possess general knowledge, but also specific vocabulary, and to practice communication on narrow, professional topics, says Roman Grivanov, head of the Department of International Relations and Law. 

For four months, students studied the nuances of bilateral relations of APR countries, used special formulas to calculate and compare the power of states, and speculated about the possible prospects for the region, as well as the risks and hotbeds of tension. Participants emphasized that such lectures are excellent for developing the listening skill, which is especially important when learning a foreign language.

The students shared their impressions:

— The program covers a wide range of issues, from the theory of international relations to its practical implementation. I was impressed by the lecturer''s level of foreign language skills and his in-depth knowledge of the subject. The course is a great opportunity to practice your English.

— The Great Powers in the APR educational program is exactly what the International Relations student needs to succeed in his or her major. The information and materials presented in the course are interesting and, most importantly, critical to understanding both the Asia-Pacific region as a whole and its leading actors, their motivations and goals. Despite the fact that all of the extensive theoretical and practical parts were conducted exclusively in English, this did not prevent us from working as effectively as possible with the lecturer throughout the course.

— I was very pleased with the program. I was pleased with the large amount of material in English: both literature and videos. Andrei Kozinets explained and demonstrated everything in an accessible way, and his level of language skills was very impressive.

— It was very interesting to learn about the interaction of countries in the region, their economic dynamics and prospects for development. I liked the creative assignments and the fact that the instructor conducted the classes in an interactive way. I recommend enrolling in the program to those who plan to develop themselves in the field of international relations and geopolitics.

— This English-language program gave me a unique experience and insight into how international relations in the Asia-Pacific region develop in practice. As part of the course, we independently analyzed the foreign and domestic policies of countries in the region, compiled detailed analyses of cooperation strategies between states, and practiced business English in the area of diplomatic relations. I think the experience I gained is of great academic value and will definitely help me in my future professional development.

In 2022, Great Powers of the Asia-Pacific Region and Socio-economic development of Russian Far East will be included in the curriculum of International Relations students as compulsory subjects in the third year. New English-language programs will also appear in the curriculum of the Master''s program «International Relations and Cross-Border Cooperation».