Programme Information

MA in Global Studies

The program provides students with essential knowledge to “know the world”, and critical understanding of the theory and practice in several domains of global studies in academia or workplace contexts, with a focus on advanced analytical skills. The program covers four major domains of global studies, which are operationalized as three concentrations from which each student chooses one: international relations, global political economy, and Comparative Area Studies. The program provides advanced training for those students who are interested in pursuing careers in global affairs or those interested in pursuing more advanced degrees in the relevant domains of global studies in the future. With solid foundation in global studies, this program prepares young professionals for dynamic global careers, and inspires potential global leaders with broad international perspectives.

 

 

 

Streams

 

Course Units

Minimum Grade

International Relations

Global Political Economy

Comparative Area Studies

I. Common Core Required Courses (9 units)

 

 

Units Required for Graduation

GLB5010 Theories of Global Studies

3

C-

3

GLB5020 Social Science Research Methods

3

C-

3

GLB5330 Comparative Politics

3

C-

3

II. Stream-specific Required Courses (6 units)

GLB5110 Foundation of International Relations

3

C-

3

 

 

GLB5120 Theories & Practice of International Relations

3

C-

3

GLB5210 Foundation of Global Political Economy

3

C-

 

3

GLB5220 International Economics & Business

3

C-

3

GLB5340 Comparative Public Opinion

3

C-

 

3

GLB5640 Political Institutions

3

C-

3

III. Elective Courses (9 units)

GLB5030 Research Project I

3

C-

Students have two options:
1) finish 9 units including 6 units from his/her chosen stream, and another 3 units from any other stream;
2) finish 9 units including 6 units from his/her chosen stream, and the course on GLB5050 Positive Social Analysis/GLB5060 Social Network Analysis/GLB5070 Game Theory for Social Science.

Below courses may serve as electives for more than one stream. Details are as follows:
- GLB5630 Sino-US Relations (elective of both International Relations and Comparative Area Studies streams);
- GLB5590 East Asia Politics and Economics (elective of both Global Political Economy and Comparative Area Studies streams).
 

GLB5040 Research Project II

3

C-

GLB5050 Positive Social Analysis

3

C-

GLB5060 Social Network Analysis

3

C-

GLB5070 Game Theory for Social Science

3

C-

HSS5001 Professional Internship

1

Pass

Stream: International Relations

GLB5410 Diplomacy: Theory and Practice

3

C-

GLB5420 International Law and International Organizations

3

C-

GLB5430 International Conflict and Security Affairs

3

C-

GLB5440 Foreign Policy Decision Making

3

C-

GLB5450 Seminar on Selected Topics of International Relations I

3

C-

GLB5630 Sino-US Relations

3

C-

GLB5860 Seminar on Selected Topics of International Relations II

3

C-

GLB5870 Seminar on Selected Topics of International Relations III

3

C-

Stream: Global Political Economy

GLB5460 International Trade & Business

3

C-

GLB5470 Global Finance & Monetary System

3

C-

GLB5480 Economic Statecraft & Negotiations

3

C-

GLB5490 Transnational Corporation in World Economy

3

C-

GLB5510 Seminar on Selected Topics of Global Political Economy I

3

C-

GLB5880 Seminar on Selected Topics of Global Political Economy II

3

C-

GLB5890 Seminar on Selected Topics of Global Political Economy III

3

C-

Stream: Comparative Area Studies

GLB5570 Globalization and Political Theory

3

C-

GLB5580 Politics and Economics of Non-western Countries

3

C-

GLB5590 East Asian Politics and Economics

3

C-

GLB5610 Comparative European Politics

3

C-

GLB5620 Comparative Social Policy

3

C-

GLB5650 Political Governance of China

3

C-

GLB5660 Seminar on Selected Topics of Comparative Area Studies I

3

C-

GLB5840 American Politics

3

C-

GLB5850 East Asian Politics

3

C-

GLB5910 Seminar on Selected Topics of Comparative Area Studies II

3

C-

GLB5920 Seminar on Selected Topics of Comparative Area Studies III

3

C-

Total Units:             

 

 

24

24

24

Required

 

 

15

15

15

Elective

 

 

9

9

9

Graduation Requirement
All students are required to meet all the programme requirements, pass all the assessments and obtain a cumulative overall GPA of at least 2.0 in order to graduate.  

*Applicable to students admitted in AY2025-2026

 

Course and Unit Exemption

Students may be granted course and/or unit exemptions if they have taken similar or equivalent postgraduate courses with satisfactory performance (“B” grade or above). Supporting documents such as academic transcripts, course syllabus must be provided. Exemption for a maximum of six units may be granted. Upon exemption from a course, a student is required to take an elective course of equal number of units to replace the exempted course. The application should be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School after the endorsement of the Programme Director/Coordinator and the Graduate Panel Chair.