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M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business

M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business

TWO YEARS PROGRAMME

About The Programme

The Master of Arts in Diplomacy, Law and Business (M.A. DLB) is a comprehensive two-year programme offered by Jindal School of International Affairs.

The Masters in Diplomacy programme is designed to balance theoretical research, practical coursework, and internships, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience while also mastering academic concepts. The Masters in Law and Diplomacy curriculum includes a range of core and elective courses, including research essay assignments that challenge students to engage in ongoing scholarly debates and provide practical solutions for policymakers in India and around the world.

What is Diplomacy, Law and Business?
Diplomacy, law, and business are three interrelated fields that deal with the interactions and transactions among states, organizations and individuals in the global arena.

A Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy is a postgraduate programme that provides students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education in these three fields. A Master's in International law and diplomacy can equip students with the knowledge and skills to work in various sectors and domains, such as government, business, media, education, non-governmental organizations, etc.

Scope of the Course

The scope of the course in diplomacy is to provide students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education in the field of international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy.

Benefits of the Course

Students who pursue a master's degree in diplomacy can work in various sectors and domains, such as government, business, media, education, and non-governmental organizations. They can also opt for higher studies or specialization in international relations or related disciplines, such as law, public policy, economics, or sociology.

 A master of arts in diplomacy can open up many career prospects for students who want to pursue a rewarding and meaningful career in the field of international affairs.

What Makes It Different at JGU

The integration of International Relations, International Law, and International Business at JSIA provides three distinct advantages in our increasingly interconnected world. Firstly, it acknowledges the inadequacy of single-discipline approaches in addressing complex international issues. Secondly, it is a necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the abundance of global problems we face. Lastly, JSIA equips students with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills, enabling them to shape India's role as a principal player in global governance and stability.

The M.A. DLB programme offers a multidisciplinary approach to learning by combining the essential components of International Relations, International Law, and International Business. This multidisciplinary approach enables students to gain a holistic understanding of the complexities and challenges of the international environment. The programme provides students with an in-depth understanding of how these three fields intersect and how they can be applied to tackle global problems.
The programme offers research essay assignments that are expected to be at the forefront of ongoing scholarly debates and accessible to policymakers in India and abroad. Additionally, the programme includes internships that provide students with practical experience in the field. These internships allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting, gain valuable skills, and make connections with professionals in the field.

To be eligible for the M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business programme at JSIA, applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university, regardless of the discipline. Those who are set to complete their Bachelor’s degree by July 2024 are also welcome to apply on a provisional basis. There is no age limit for applicants. Prospective students can apply directly through the online admission form on the JSIA website.

 

The M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business programme is a two-year course at JSIA. The first year is divided into two semesters, with each semester having core and elective courses. The total number of credits required for graduation is 83. The second year is split into two semesters with different pathways that students can choose from. In the third semester, students can opt for a coursework pathway (electives or electives + an independent research study) or go for a semester abroad. In the fourth semester, students can opt for a capstone internship, a dissertation, a semester abroad or a coursework pathway (electives or electives + an independent research study).

M.A. students should complete two mandatory industry internships, each carrying two credits, during the first three semesters. MADLB students are expected to complete a minimum of 83 credits to graduate from the program. All core and elective courses are comprised of three hours of classroom-based learning per week and one contact hour of tutorial. Foreign language and academic writing courses have two credits for classroom learning and one credit for tutorials.

Semester One

SL No

Courses

Core

/Elective

Credits

1

International Relations Theory and Praxis

Core

4

2

International Economics

Core

4

3

International Law and Organisations

Core

4

4

Social Science Research Methods

Core

4

5

Foreign Language (Level 1): Spanish, German, Mandarin and French

Core

3

6

Academic Writing

Core

3

7

Mandatory Industry Internship (1)

2

TOTAL CREDITS

24

8

Elective Course (s)

Optional

4

Semester Two

SL No

Courses

Core

/Elective

Credits

1

Political and Business Risk Management

Core

4

2

Contemporary World History

Core

4

3

Foreign Language (Level 2): Spanish, German, French and Mandarin

Core

3

4

Advanced Academic Writing

Core

3

5

Electives

Elective

7

6

Mandatory Industry Internship (2)

2

TOTAL CREDITS

23

Semester Three

MADLB students have the option to undertake only one of the following two pathways in their third final semester:

Pathway One Total credits: 18 credits

Electives or Electives + IRS : 16 credits

Research Writing and Design Colloquium of 2 credits (Mandatory)

Pathway Two Total credits: 18 credits

Semester Abroad of 18 credits

Semester Four

MADLB students have the option to undertake only one of the following four distinct pathways in their final semester:

Pathway One Total credits: 18 credits

Dissertation of 16 credits

Dissertation Colloquium of 2 credits (Mandatory in Dissertattion Pathway)

Pathway Three Total credits: 18 credits

Semester Abroad of 18 credits

Pathway Two Total credits: 18 credits

Capstone Internship of 9 Credits

Capstone Paper of 9 Credits

Pathway Four Total credits: 18 credits

Electives or Electives + IRS : 18 credits

Notes

  • Dissertation Pathway: Students with a CGPA of 6.75 and who do not have “F” grades in core papers can opt for the dissertation pathway in semester
  • Capstone Pathway: Students with a CGPA of 6.00 and who do not have “F” grades in core papers can opt for the capstone pathway in semester
  • Dissertation, Capstone and Semester exchange pathways have specific rules and guidelines for application and will be communicated by the heads of the three committees and the JSIA Academic Office at the beginning of semester
  • Independent Research Study (IRS) can be conducted for two, four or six credits. Students must have a CGPA of 6.75 to opt for IRS. The IRS policy and specific regulations shall be communicated by the head of the IRS Committee and JSIA Academic Office at the beginning of the second semester.

Summary of the JSIA M.A. DLB Credit Structure

Semester    Total Credits

Semester 1

24 credits

Semester 2

23 credits

Semester 3

18 credits

Semester 4

18 credits

Total credits required for

graduation

83 credits

General Guidelines

  • MA students should complete two mandatory industry internships in any of the first three semesters (I, II, or III). Each internship carries two credits. The maximum number of credits to be awarded to an industry internship is four credits.
  • MADLB students are expected to complete at least 83 credits to graduate from the M.A. (DLB)
  • All JSIA core and elective courses of 4 credits are comprised of 3 hours of classroom- based learning per week and one contact hour of tutorial.
  • All Foreign language courses and Academic Writing Courses comprise 3 credits (2 credits for classroom learning and one credit for tutorials). 
  • In the first and second semesters: Students are offered a mandatory Foreign Language: Spanish, German, French, or Mandarin (Languages offered by the JGU Language Centre and Taiwan Education Centre).
  • All students must select a specific language in their first semester (Spanish, German, French or Mandarin) and complete two levels from the same language at the end of the second semester.

JSIA Elective Policy

  • JSIA M.A. (DLB)’ Students are offered elective courses from their first semester of study. These courses are often interdisciplinary, involving elements of law as well as other disciplines in social science and management.
  • Besides the list of JSIA elective courses that are offered every semester to M.A. (DLB) students, other JGU schools are also offering cross-elective courses that are available for bidding to JSIA students.

A.   Elective Specialization (Clusters)

  • JSIA is offering elective courses that are categorized into five main clusters:
  1. Peace and Conflict Studies
  2. Economics and Foreign Policy
  3. Defence and National Security Studies
  4. Human Rights and International Development
  5. Global South Studies

M.A. (DLB) Students may opt for three electives worth 12 credits from one track (cluster) to be eligible for a certificate of specialization after graduation in that cluster.

The three cluster elective courses can be taken in one semester or spread over two or more semesters (upon student choice).

B.  Guidelines and Rules for Electives

  1. Students can take a maximum of 20 credits outside JSIA electives (i.e. other JGU schools’ cross electives) which represent 25% of the entire M.A. (DLB) programme’s minimum credits (the 83 credits).
  2. Students should opt for at least one JSIA elective/cross-elective course at every elective
  3. External JSIA Credits exceeding 25% will imply a sanction of Dean JSIA and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs of the MA programme.
  4. Removing an elective with an (F) is possible only after one academic year or in the final semester if the student has successfully fulfilled all the graduation

The M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business programme at JSIA offers elective courses from the first semester of study. The courses are interdisciplinary, involving elements of law as well as other disciplines in social science and management. There are five main clusters of elective courses: Peace and Conflict Studies, Economics and Foreign Policy, Defence and National Security Studies, Human Rights and International Development, and Global South Studies. Students can select three electives from one cluster, worth 12 credits, to specialize in a given concentration and receive a certificate of specialization after graduation.

In addition to JSIA elective courses, M.A. (DLB) students can take a maximum of 20 credits outside JSIA electives, which represents 25% of the entire program’s minimum credits (83 credits). External JSIA credits exceeding 25% will result in a sanction by the Dean JSIA and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs of the M.A. program. 

The M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business programme offers a career-oriented curriculum that prepares students for various career streams such as Peace and Conflict Resolution, Political Journalism, International Justice, Humanitarian Relief, and more. Students are assisted by a Career Director in finding internships in the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, think tanks, and diplomatic missions. The programme also includes a mandatory Guided Internship that enhances students’ readiness for their future careers.

Graduates of JSIA are versatile professionals in international affairs. For students aspiring to academic careers, the programme provides high-quality training in social science theory and methods, making them eligible for admission to Ph.D. programmes at renowned international universities. Overall, the M.A. (DLB) programme offers a broad range of opportunities and training to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in various fields of international affairs.

FAQ's

1. What are the eligibility requirements for the Masters in International Law and Diplomacy program at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA)?

To be eligible for the Masters in International Law and Diplomacy program at JSIA, applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university, regardless of the discipline. Those who are set to complete their Bachelor’s degree by July 2024 are also welcome to apply on a provisional basis. There is no age limit for applicants. Prospective students can apply directly through the online admission form on the JSIA website.

2. What is the course structure of the Masters in International Diplomacy at JSIA?

The M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business programme is a two-year course at JSIA. The first year is divided into two semesters, with each semester having core and elective courses. The total number of credits required for graduation is 83. The second year is split into two semesters with different pathways that students can choose from. In the third semester, students can take electives, an independent research study or go for a semester abroad. In the fourth semester, students can opt for a capstone internship and paper, a dissertation and colloquium or another round of electives.

3. What are the career opportunities available to graduates of the Masters degree in diplomacy program at JSIA?

Graduates of the M.A. Diplomacy, Law and Business program at JSIA are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in international affairs. These opportunities include:

Diplomat
Foreign Service Officer
International Lawyer
Policy Analyst
Journalist
NGO Worker
Think Tank Researcher
Academic

The program also includes a mandatory Guided Internship that enhances students’ readiness for their future careers.

4. What are the core subjects covered in the Masters in Law and Diplomacy syllabus at JSIA?

The core subjects covered in the Masters in Law and Diplomacy syllabus at JSIA include:

International Relations Theory and Praxis
International Economics
International Law and Organisations
Social Science Research Methods
Foreign Language
Academic Writing
Contemporary World History

5. What are the elective subjects offered in the Master of Arts in Diplomacy programme at JSIA?

JSIA offers a wide range of elective courses for students in the Master of Arts in Diplomacy program. These courses are interdisciplinary and involve elements of law as well as other disciplines in social science and management. There are five main clusters of elective courses:

Peace and Conflict Studies
Economics and Foreign Policy
Defence and National Security Studies
Human Rights and International Development
Global South Studies

Students can select three electives from one cluster, worth 12 credits, to specialize in a given concentration and receive a certificate of specialization after graduation.