Structure

Structure and Characteristics of the Seminars 

The seminars offered in the International Administration and Conflict Management (IACM) program are divided into four different categories:

• Research Design and Information Competency (Module 1)
• Basic Seminar (Module 2)
• Core Courses and Elective (Module 3)
• Seminars from related programs and disciplines

The Basic Seminar

The basic seminar “Introduction to International Administration and Conflict Management” offers a first glance at the overall content of the program and makes the students familiar with the basic readings and theories necessary. In addition, it is being conducted jointly by the chairs of Professor Seibel and Professor Holzinger, which allows the students to gain knowledge about the respective specialties of the chairs concerning research and teaching. Aside from all this, the basic seminar also introduces the three phase approach towards conflict management.

The Core Courses

The core courses represent the division of labor between the two chairs concerning the teaching within the IACM, which results in a two track structure: Track A is labeled “Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation”, while track B focuses on “International Administration” itself. While it is strongly recommended to complete both first level core courses, A1 and B1, only one first level course has to be completed. Meaning, that instead of participating in A1 and B1 a student could choose the combination of A1 + A2 or B1 + B2 in order to gain his basic core course credits.

The Electives

These courses (A3-5, B3-5), offered by the respective chairs, give the students the option to deepen their interest in one of the tracks offered. The Electives can be freely combined with courses from other programs or related disciplines.

Overview of the Mandatory Courses

Von Out of the 63 ECTS points that have to be earned aside from writing the MA-thesis and completing the courses in module 1, the following ones are mandatory to every IACM-student:

• Basic seminar “Introduction to International Administration and Conflict Management“ (7cr, module 2),
• One basic seminar from one of the other three programs (7cr, module 2),
• Two IACM core courses (e.g. A1 and B1, 7cr each) and one additional course within module 3 (7cr),
• Further seminars have to be chosen in module 4, two of which being offered within the department of politics and public administration. The courses to earn the remaining credits can be chosen freely from electives, other programs or related disciplines such as sociology, history, philosophy, economics, law and psychology.

The Three-Phases-approach in Teaching

The teaching philosophy within the IACM program aims at dividing the overall topic into the three phases of Conflict, Conflict Management and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. The realization of this approach is aspired by giving the students the chance to choose most of their courses freely and thereby having a lot of control over the structure of their course of studies. In addition, this creates the opportunity for them to develop their own individual emphasis within the IACM.

Examples of Seminars

A-Seminars

A1 Causes of Intrastate Conflict

A2 Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation

A3 Negotiation and Mediation

A4 Transitional Justice and Truth Commissions

A5 Conflict Settlement in Different Cultures

B-Seminars

B1 International Administration

B2 International Administration and Peace Operations

B3 Modern Protectorates

B4 Humanitarian Intervention

B5 Pathologies and Disasters in International Administration

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