Center for Social Sciences
Masters Degree in the Social Sciences Transformation in the South Caucasus Call for Applications from Armenia and Azerbaijan
In Partnership with Open Society Institute and Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, the Centre of Social Sciences requests applications for their cross-regional English language masters degree Transformation in the South Caucasus.
Study regional and international politics and the social sciences in an international and cross-disciplinary setting.
Obtain a Masters degree from one of the most progressive teaching centers in the region affiliated to Tbilisi State University.
Gain knowledge and professional skills vital for work in government, the NGO sector and research.
Students from Armenia and Azerbaijan are provided with finances to cover accommodation, living expenses and travel.
Degree Offered
The degree requires 120 ECTS credits and will take one and half Calendar years (September 2007 to February 2009). The first year, based in Tbilisi, will be spent studying taught courses of regional relevance intended to develop the analytical, evaluative and presentational skills necessary for working in the government, the NGO sector or in the research community.
Classes will be small (less than 20 students) and will include lectures and seminars given by Georgian and international faculty who have considerable academic and practical experience working in Universities, NGOs, think tanks and Government. Teaching will be collaborative, student-centered and skill-based. The program involves mandatory courses in Academic Writing and Research Methods. In addition the students can choose from courses on International Relations, Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies, Nationalism, Foreign Policy Analysis, Transitional Economics, Public Policy, International Political Economy, International Law and Post-Soviet History. Following the summer exams the students will have six months to complete a dissertation and a two month internship.
(For more detailed information please visit http://ucss. ge/?l=2&i= 61)
The second year (2008-09) will be based in either Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia and will include a 4 month internship in Government, an NGO or Civil Society project and 4 months for writing a masters dissertation. At the end of February 2009, students have to complete MA thesis and defend it orally at CSS Tbilisi, Georgia.
The Centre for Social Sciences
The first year of the course will be taught at the Centre of Social Sciences, Tbilisi, Georgia. This is one of the focal points of higher educational reform in Georgia. Based in the centre of the city it has state-of-the- art facilities available to students including:
a library with over five thousand volumes of academic literature in the social sciences, history and philosophy
a computer room with 10 DSL networked computers (one for every 6 students)
a lecture theatre equipped with computer projector and electronic white board
photocopy and printing facilities
Costs and Financial Support Available
Students from Georgia no fees
Students from Armenia, Azerbaijan and the disputed regions will be charged no fees and will receive the following funds for 10 months study in Tbilisi during academic year of 2007-2008
Accommodation $150 per month
Living stipend $200 per month
Travel to/from Tbilisi $80 per person per year
Other International Students: tuition fees to be paid to TSU – GEL 1700 per year
Requirements for Applicants
· All nationalities will be considered, particularly those from Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as those in the disputed territories of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh. · A minimum of a bachelor's degree in the social sciences or humanities. This would include applied subjects like Law, Journalism, Business or Economics as well as the obvious categories of Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, History, Cultural Studies etc.
· A very good understanding of English, both written and spoken Applicants must take English Language test organized by CSS/TSU (at least upper - intermediate level is required) or submit certificates of their FCE (First Certificate in English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language, or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) if available. Thus, strong English skills is an absolute prerequisite for admission
· No prior working experience is required
Personal Qualities
Given the makeup of the student body students should be willing to consider points of view that are different to their own.
We would encourage applicants to seriously reflect upon whether they would be happy to calmly discuss highly sensitive political issues with students from states and ethnic groups with whom they may consider themselves opposed.
Application Materials for first stage of competition for regional students from Armenia and Azerbaijan:
(Should be submitted electronically to CSS by August 10, 2007 to following mail address:
nbendeliani@ ucss.ge; mmikaberidze@ ucss.ge )
Standard application form (Attached)
Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
A personal statement of not more than 400 words detailing
your reasons for wanting to take part in this course
what you feel you would get from the course personally and professionally
what the course will allow you to contribute to your country’s development
A short statement (of no more than 400 words) explaining the key problems you feel are faced by the countries of the Southern Caucasus. Students from outside the region can substitute this with a statement of their research interests.
Two references. At least one of these has to be academic but the other CAN be professional.
Copies of applicant’s academic degree documents (Diploma of higher education, etc.). If application is sent electronically, originals of these documents should be provided at first examination in September.
Timetable for Applications
A provisional deadline for applications from regional candidates is
Friday, August 10th, 2007 6pm.
Examination and Interviews with the candidates from short-list will be held in September. Short-list candidates will be informed by 3rd September, 2007 via e-mail.
Murad Ismayilov
Phone: (994 12) 4 484 825
Mobile: (994 50) 327 3393
Fax: (994 12) 4 957 897
Address: Azerbaijan
AZ5000 Sumgayit,
Narimanov Str., 6A/8, 42
[sursa e-nass]
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