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International Development

Brief Introduction

This is one of the few programs in China that offers full perspectives on international development all over the world. The program takes full advantage of Beijing’s cultural and academic dimensions and its increasing role in international economics, politics, and social issues. Moreover, this program receives great support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), which has already established long-term collaboration with the School of International Development and Cooperation (SIDC), i.e., the faculty that offers this graduate program.

The program includes core coursework that covers the fundamentals of international development theory, research methodology, the workings of the global economy and international trade, and an overview of ongoing events in international development with a particular emphasis on China’s role in the international arena. In addition to the core courses, students have the opportunity to join the conferences and lecture series organized by SIDC as well as other extracurricular activities provided by major stakeholders in the international development field, e.g., CIDCA, NGOs, UN entities, embassies, international companies. We expect these academic and training events to be helpful for students developing in-depth knowledge in their chosen research tracks. During the fourth semester, the candidates are expected to write a thesis, as their core research, under the supervision of a SIDC academic.

The curriculum ensures that graduates emerge with a comprehensive perspective on issues related to international development and a clear understanding of the methodological framework by which these issues are researched, discussed, and acted upon. SIDC puts a strong emphasis on developing an applied expertise during the Master program. Moreover, SIDC strives to enrich the program experience by providing more opportunities that are unique and exclusive to its students, including but not limited to academic and professional exchanges with experts from relevant stakeholders.

The program’s balance of intellectual and theoretical mastery with hands-on Chinese experience of international development prepares you for a successful professional life. You will graduate not only as a developmental specialist but also as a fine connoisseur of China’s international commitments, priorities and perspectives.

Training Objectives

SIDC is dedicated to cultivating students who are interested in international development and intend to be a talent with international vision and solid methodological training in social science. The range of our programs has been developed to meet your needs whether you intend to pursue a career in business, government, NGOs, international organizations, or academia.

The major aims to cultivate professionals in the field of international development, with a strong theoretical foundation, methodological trainings, cross-cultural communications skills, excellent understanding of the international arena and outstanding research skills in international development and its adjacent fields.

Research Orientation

1. International relation and development

2. International development aid

3. International economic cooperation

4. Demography, environment, and energy economics

5. Development program management

6. Food security and poverty

Program Structure and Dissertation

The length for this program is 2 years, including 1 for classes taking and 1 for thesis writing. The maximum school years are no longer than 4 years. For a student fulfilling the plan ahead of time with the dissertation qualified for defense, it can be allowed for defense, graduation and application of the degree ahead of time.

By the end of second semester, students are required to present a proposal, which will be reviewed during the proposal meeting held by school. When the proposal is approved, students will begin to write dissertations within 15000-20000 words.

At the end of third semester, there will be a pre-defense meeting, the school’s academic committee will review students’ draft and give advice to improve it. Then at the fourth semester, students will submit their dissertations and prepare for the final defense. The specific timetable will be informed at the beginning of the forth semester.

Degree Granted

Maser of Law

Credit Requirements

A minimum of 37 credits, including

1. Basic Degree Courses (7 credits)

2. Compulsory Courses (15 credits)

3. Elective Courses (at least 12 credits)

4. Thesis (3 credits)

The University awards the degree of Master of Law to students who have completed an approved sequence of courses and study totalling a minimum of 37 credits and who, by vote of the faculty, are certified as having fulfilled all degree requirements.

Curriculum

Course Type		Course Name	Class Hours	Course Leader	Credits	Offering Terms
Course Type		Course Name	Class Hours	Course Leader	Credits	Spring	Fall
Basic Degree Courses		Basic Chinese (1)	28	XIE Yongle	2		√
		Basic Chinese (2)	28	HU Cong	2	√
		General Information on China	28		2	√	√
		Business Chinese Listening	14	DU Xingye	1	√	√
Compulsory Courses		Theories and practices in International Development	42		3		√
		Comparative perspectives in developmental aid policies	42	KUANG Shuxiao	3	√
		Developmental financing	42		3		√
		Seminar on sociology	42	SUN Biyang	3	√
		Research methods in social science	42		3		√
Elective Courses	Developmental category	Advanced topics in international relations	28	ZHAI Dayu	2		√
		Gender and developmental ethics	28		2	√
		International development and security	28		2		√
		International economic cooperation	28		2	√
		UN and international organizations	28		2		√
		South-south cooperation	28		2	√
		Selected topics in “One Belt One Road”	28		2		√
		Climate change and energy policies	28		2	√
		Demography, poverty, and development	28		2		√
		Food security and agricultural development	28		2	√
		Development program initiation and management	28		2		√
		Migration and humanitarian aid	28		2	√
		Overseas security and consular protection	28		2		√
		Theories and practices in international negotiation	28		2	√
	Regional Studies	The history of China’s foreign aid	28		2		√
		Asia, Africa, and Latin America	28		2	√
		Africa zooming in	28		2		√
		Latin America zooming in	28		2	√
		Southeast Asia zooming in	28		2		√
	Research methods	Anthropology and fieldwork techniques	28		2		√
		Big data analysis	28		2		√
		Econometrics	28		2	√
		Formal writing for international organizations	28		2	√	√