University of Balamand UOB Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Our department offers its students a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, a Master of Arts (MA) degree, and a Minor in Political Science and International Affairs. Courses in the Department can also be taken as electives by non-majors. Our programs introduce students to many areas of study and practice, including diplomacy, public relations, negotiation skills and conflict management, national and local governments, organizations, public administration, comparative politics, ideologies, methodology, citizenship, political participation, democracy, development, elections, Lebanese politics, Middle Eastern politics, Mediterranean politics, and international relations. We also facilitate placements for training and internships with several organizations and engage students in various activities of community service. Our students had been engaged in numerous activities, including UN simulation models, monitoring elections and addressing electoral reforms, support for communities in areas of education, development, citizenship, and human rights. Our students had also participated in many public debates, conferences, and workshops in Lebanon and abroad.

Requirements for graduating with a BA in Political Science and International Affairs

Students should take and pass successfully 90 credits, including 24 credits of university and faculty requirements, 51 credits from within the department, and 15 credits from outside the department. Many of our students choose to use these 15 credits to complete a minor in another department, a process which we usually encourage. Our department courses are three credits each.

Completing a BA degree in our department allows students to have a thorough and comprehensive understanding of politics at both the domestic and international levels. We address politics in an analytical manner; we also examine politics in the broader sense, which includes cooperation and/or conflict over access and distribution of power and resources. Our students, therefore, comprehend well the nature and processes of political interaction at various levels and develop their abilities to deal with it both in study and practice.

Requirements for graduating with an MA in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Politics

Students should take and pass successfully 32 credits, including 24 credits of course load (eight courses) and eight credits of MA thesis.

Requirements for Acquiring a Minor in Political Science and International Affairs

Students should take and pass successfully 15 credits from within the department (five courses). These should include the courses of PSIA 201

(Introduction to Political Science) and PSIA 202 (Introduction to International Relations) plus three other core courses.

The Minor provides students with solid base to comprehend politics and address various political and socioeconomic issues knowledgably and analytically.

All the courses provided by our department are offered in English.

As the list of jobs filled by our graduates indicate our BA and MA programs provides graduates with opportunities to work and enroll in the following fields, activities and academic programs:

• Local and national government

• Foreign Service

• Media organizations

• Private sector (for example: Banks, service-based companies)

• Local, Regional, and International NGOs

• Regional and International Organizations like the UN and its organizations as well as the Arab League

• Policy Advisor

• Running for political office

• Research centers

• Publishing houses

• Persuing graduate studies (MA, PhD) allowing for teaching and research at an advanced level.

How to join the Department of Political Science and International Affairs?

Admissions

• Candidates may enroll in the academic programs of the department in the Fall or Spring semesters on a fulltime basis.

• The department also accepts eligible transfer students switching majors

• At the MA level: Students are required to present a copy of their BA degree in Political Science and/or International Relations as well as an official transcript. Admission of students who do not have a degree of Political Science or International Relations will be studied separately and they will be asked to take few undergraduate courses in our department.

Requirements

• Lebanese Baccalaureate or its equivalent

• Successful passage of Grade 12 as shown on the student’s transcript.

• Students are required to sit for the following Entrance Examinations given by the University: English Language (SAT or TOEFL)

Tuition and Financial Aid

• The University of Balamand in view of its commitment to serve the community makes every effort to keep tuition costs affordable while maintaining a high level of instruction and appropriate technologically advanced facilities.

• Payments of tuition fees are divided into installments. These can be modified through arrangements tailored to particular needs.

• Special Discount (25% of tuition fees, discounted at registration) is automatically given to all new fulltime students to the BA program. These students may also apply for financial aid of up to 20 % more.

• Special Discount (50 % of tuition fees, discounted at registration) is automatically given to all MA students. These students may also apply for an assistantship in the department.

• Part-time employment opportunities (up to 15 hours/week) are available to all regular students.

• For additional information on department and its programs please contact:

Dr. Sami Ofeish

Chairperson, Department of Political Science and

International Affairs

University of Balamand

P.O. Box 100 Tripoli, - Lebanon

Phone Number: +961 6930250 ext. 2388

Fax Number: +961 6930288

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• For additional information on registration please

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