New undergraduate program in international relations

The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Palestinian Higher Education and Scientific Research recently has given its approval to Birzeit University’s Faculty of Law and Public Administration for the implementation of a new bachelor’s program in international relations, starting with the academic year 2020–2021.

The new program, hosted by the faculty’s Department of Political Science, approaches international relations as a subject that can be studied from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, using various methodologies. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to explore and analyze the international system, its dynamics and changes.

The degree requires the successful completion of 122 to 123 credit hours. Students will take courses that study various issues in political science, international studies, political theory, and political systems as well as topics such as diplomacy and negotiations, political economics, globalization, Palestine in the international community, and the role of the Arab region in world politics.

Abderrahman Ibrahim, the dean of the Faculty of Law and Public Administration, explained that the new program will enrich and intertwine with other programs the university is offering, especially the university’s master programs in international studies, contemporary Arab studies, democracy and human rights, gender and development, and Israel studies.

Ibrahim pointed out that the program will develop a range of intellectual and practical skills that prepare graduates for prominent local and international careers. He asserted that “The program aspires to help our students find work in multilateral and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local and national governments, and media and publishing companies, as well as research and legal institutions.”

In addition to the bachelor’s program in international relations, the Faculty of Law and Public Administration offers four undergraduate programs in law, political science, and public administration. Moreover, the faculty offers five master’s programs in government and local government, law, law and economics, public law and private law.