University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies Welcome by the Academic Director.

University of KentBrussels School of International Studies

Welcome by theAcademic Director

Introduction•Welcome to BSIS•Purpose of this session

Embarking on a journey

1. The world’s journeyChange and complexity > understand & add nuanceA wide array of perceptions > founded arguments, but pluralismReflecting on your own bias > critical thinking

2. Your personal journey•From Brussels to Canterbury•One step to ‘real life’?•Studying and living abroad: challenge and opportunity

3. How both journeys are interwovenLearning from your fellow students

The BSIS profile

1. An intellectual…• Intellectual curiosity• Research embedded• Confrontation of views

2. …community… • A passion for international affairs• Interdisciplinary• Open doors

3. … enriched by diversity• Student body• Staff

What is new at BSIS

Programme reforms‘Secondary specialisation’

New programmes• EU External Relations• Human Rights Law

New colleagues New premises Electronic library

Where BSIS is within the university

BSIS: one of 4 European centres, one of 7 campuses

Two schools:• School of Politics and International Relations (MA programmes)• Kent Law School (LLM programmes)+ contribution from several other Schools

Programme accreditation

Good to know…Doing a British MA/LLM

BA vs MA•Self-study & self-reliance•Advanced studies•Reading, discussing, writing•Research embedded

-research informed teaching-read key academic sources-write research papers (theory! argument!)

Be a curious, inquisitive mind (not a consumer of knowledge) Participate: immerse yourself in debates

This is reflected in:•Structure•Format •Assessment

Critical thinking at MA level

Structure:Different study options• One or two specialisations• FT/PT• Standard (90 ECTS credits) or extended (120 ECTS)• International cooperation

Format of modules:• Student centred• Lectures and seminars• Thresholds…

Assessment• Coursework rather than exams• Diverse forms of assessment• Note: grading (think within the logic of the British grading system)

We will ask a lot from you-Challenging-Be challenged!

Pitfalls to avoid

1. Plagiarism

2. Bad planning

3. Internships combined with full-time studies

We are there to help

• Programme convenors• Dissertation supervisors• FDR• Students support• Etc.

There is more to life than classes…

•Live the extra-curricular experienceGlobal Skills Awardguest lectures

•Live the Brussels experience…… but resist certain Brussels temptations

•BGSU (BSIS Graduate Student Union)social activitiesinternational conferenceinternational dinnerrepresentationetc.

•Take your own initiatives

BSIS: who does whatMA/LLM programmes & convenors•MA in International Relations (Bojan Savic / Tom Casier)•MA in International Conflict and Security (Yvan Guichaoua)•MA in International Development (Yvan Guichaoua / Amanda KvK)•MA in International Migration (Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels)•MA in International Political Economy (Albena Azmanova)•MA in EU External Relations (Tom Casier)•MA in Political Strategy and Communication (Albena Azmanova)•LLM in International Law•LLM in Human Rights Law (Yutaka Arai – Law programmes)

PhD degrees• PhD in International Relations• PhD in International Conflict Analysis• PhD in Comparative Politics• PhD in Political and Social Thought • PhD in Law

Brussels-based academic staff:•Prof. Dr Yutaka Arai•Dr Albena Azmanova•Dr Tugba Basaran (on study leave)•Dr Tom Casier (Academic Director)•Dr Yvan Guichaoua•Dr Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels (Director of Graduate Studies)•Dr Nikolas Rajkovic•Dr Bojan Savic•Prof. Dr Harm Schepel•Prof. Dr Roger Vickerman (Dean for Europe)

‘External’ lecturers•From Canterbury•From different universities•From international institutions, research centres, think tanks, consultancies, etc.

BSIS Office:•Catherine Kinsella (Finance Officer)•Sarah Konate (Student Records Officer)•Alastair Ross (Head of European Administration)•Michael Sewell (Recruitment and Admissions Officer)•Inez Summers (Office manager)+ Canterbury-based professional services

PhD students – Teaching Assistants

How to survive this week?

Further info on •Programmes•Choosing modules

In case of an overdose of information...

Seeking help•Adminstrative issues: BSIS Office and services in Canterbury•Academic issues: Programme convenors

Conclusion

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