M.A. in International Relations, Security & Strategy

Curriculum

This degree programme has been carefully curated for the online model and for a global audience. The program requires earning 60 credits by completing two kinds of courses: Core and Electives. The program is structured across four terms within one year. However, working professionals who require additional time have the option to extend their studies for up to two more years.

Term 1:

(Core courses, 5 credits each)

• International Relations Theory

• Diplomatic Practices

• Intelligence, War and Weapons

Term 2:

(Core courses, 5 credits each)

• Foreign Policies of Great, Middle and Small Powers

• Terrorism, Counterterrorism and Unconventional Threats

• Maritime Security and Naval Strategy

Term 3:

(Core courses, 5 credits each)

• Intelligence Analysis and Risk Assessment

• Law and Ethics in International Relations

• Negotiating and Resolving International Conflicts

Term 4:

Students will have the option to undertake only one of the following two distinct pathways to earn 15 credits in their final term:

1. Pathway I (Dissertation track)

   • Dissertation – 12 Credits

   • Research Methodology, Ethics, and Academic Writing Course - 3 Credits

2. Pathway II (Non-dissertation track)

   Students have the option to choose any THREE courses (Total 15 credits) which can include ONE cross elective out of the cross elective list of courses .

   • Elective (5 credits each)

     • Domestic Politics and their Impact on Foreign Policy

     • Nuclear, Space and Cyber Security

     • Climate Change, Migration and Human Security

     • Military Conflict and Deterrence in the 21st Century

     • The China-US New Cold War and the Indo-Pacific

     • Multilateral Institutions and Global Security

     • India’s Rise in World Affairs

   • Cross Elective (5 credits each)

     • International Organisations and Policy Regimes

     • Qualitative Analysis and Survey Design

     • Statistical Methods and Data Analysis

     • Development Economics

     • Democratic Governance

Course Workload & Pedagogy

1. A total of 12 courses over 4 terms covered in 12 months

2. All courses (Core and Electives) are worth 5 credits each

3. 75 hours of learning engagement time (i.e., student time spent on lecture videos, essential readings, live interactive sessions, discussion, and graded and ungraded assessments)

   • 16 hours of pre-recorded videos (approximately 2 hours of video content per module/week. These 2 hours are divided into multiple videos of 8-10 minutes each for every lesson of the week.)

   • 20 hours of reading (one article or book chapter per week),

   • 15 hours of graded and non-graded assessments

   • 15 hours of live sessions.

   • 9 hours of discussions at the end of a module/week through office hours/discussion prompts

4. The dissertation, worth 12 credits, spans the entire final term. Students opting for the dissertation will also need to complete a 3-credit Research Methodology, Ethics, and Academic Writing course during this period. In this period, students will focus on developing their dissertation thesis under the guidance of their assigned faculty mentor.

Assessment

• This degree program has designed its assessment with a view to promote academic rigour, upholding existing standards followed on campus at O.P. Jindal Global University and promoting the development of collaborative learning with a specific focus on the development of research and critical thinking skills in our students. All assessments have been designed to promote learner engagement and student success in the online model.  

• Student performance shall be assessed in relation to program and course learning outcomes. The criteria for assessment of course learning outcomes have been clearly delineated in the faculty-graded assessment of each course with a detailed rubric that lays down expectations from the student in line with desired learning outcomes.  

• Assessment shall be both formative and summative. The purpose of formative assessment is to provide feedback to students on their work to enhance their learning and to help them achieve the course's intended learning outcomes. The purpose of summative assessment is to allocate appropriate grades. 

Description of Core Courses

• International Relations Theory & Praxis: Understand the ideas shaping global politics and how theory connects to real-world decisions, conflicts, and cooperation in the post–Cold War world.

• Diplomatic Practice Gain practical insights into how diplomacy works, including the role of embassies, negotiations, public diplomacy, and the growing influence of digital and social media.

• Intelligence, War & Weapons Explore the fundamentals of intelligence and warfare, from historical battles to modern conflicts, military strategies, and evolving weapon technologies.

• Foreign Policy Analysis Compare how great, middle, and small powers design their foreign policies, and learn to evaluate the strategic choices behind major global events.

• Terrorism & Counterterrorism Examine the drivers of terrorism, global extremist networks, and the challenges governments face in building effective counterterrorism strategies.

• Maritime Security & Naval Strategy Understand emerging maritime threats, Indo-Pacific geopolitics, international maritime law, and the strategic role of naval power in global security.

• Intelligence Analysis & Risk Assessment Develop the ability to interpret intelligence, assess risks, and make informed decisions using real-world case studies and analytical frameworks.

• Law & Ethics in International Relations Explore the ethical dilemmas behind global issues such as humanitarian intervention, climate responsibility, terrorism, and the use of force.

• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution Learn practical tools for negotiation, peace-building, and conflict transformation through global case studies and applied exercises.

Exclusive access to 4000+ courses

Eligible learners who enrol for this programme will gain access to these additional benefits*:

• Advance their career with credentials from 100+ leading global universities

• Transform their learning experience with access to 4000+ courses and 1000+ guided projects

• Keep upskilling and secure access to 30,000+ hours of teaching by renowned, global professors

• Gain access to courses that are loved by thousands of global learners

*Subject to change as per the Coursera Partner Consortium Program Terms and Conditions.