IDS-International and Diplomatic Studies

Program guarantor: prof. Ing. Mgr. Štěpánka Zemanová, Ph.D. 

The aim of the doctoral programme in International and Diplomatic Studies is to expand the knowledge, competencies and skills necessary for independent research in this field. The programme places particular emphasis on developing scholarly expertise, including a deep understanding of International Relations theories, methodology and analytical techniques. At the same time, it fosters comprehensive understanding of contemporary international relations and diplomacy, equipping students with an analytical toolkit essential for the interdisciplinary study of globalisation processes.

The programme is designed to cultivate outstanding specialists in International Relations. It enables students to acquire advanced interdisciplinary knowledge across various branches of the discipline both at theoretical and empirical levels, providing a strong foundation for their research.

Upon successful completion of the doctoral degree, graduates will possess a thorough understanding of scholarly work principles, ethics and research design, alongside familiarity with a range of research methodologies. They will gain the ability to propose innovative methodological approaches and apply them to individual research tasks. Furthermore, graduates will have developed the competencies and skills required for independent creative scholarly work, which will culminate in the completion and successful defence of their doctoral thesis.

Given the interdisciplinary nature of International Relations discipline, special attention is paid to understanding the relationship between theory and practice, as well as the development of skills necessary for interdisciplinary analysis. While the programme’s core focuses on international politics, diplomacy and economics, it also incorporates othe dimensions of contemporary international relations such as law, culture and the environment.

The programme is primarily intended for graduates in the social sciences (including economics) and humanities. It is suited for candidates who are motivated to pursue careers in academia, posses strong theoretical reasoning skills, and can approach theoretical and empirical problems comprehensively and systematically. These candidates are expected to identify gaps in the current body of knowledge, formulate new research questions, design research, and employ appropriate methodologies. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for  successful completion of the programme, while advanced knowledge of other languages—particularly those relevant to the candidate’s research focus— is recommended.

The programme equips young scholars to excel in both general and applied research. Graduates are prepared for successful careers in academic and research institutions, as well as in diplomatic services. Additionally, they will be qualified to work in management roles, lead international projects or serve as experts and analysts in international organisations. Finally, graduates may pursue careers in multinational corporations or the media as specialists in international affairs.

Topics for the entrance examination for doctoral studies

  1. Foreign policy of small states in the European Union
  2. Restrictive measures and economic sanctions in foreign policy
  3. EU Internal Security – various issues
  4. The role of Asian actors in contemporary international relations
  5. Complexity theory and science in contemporary international relations
  6. China’s approach to regional cooperation in Asia and Europe
  7. China’s relations with Central and Eastern Europe
  8. China’s engagement in multilateral international institutions
  9. Current challenges of European neighborhood policy of the European Union
  10. Central European countries in the European Union
  11. Gender in IR
  12. Current topics and impacts of feminist foreign policy
  13. Lobbying rules as a tool of anti-corruption fight – a comparative approach
  14. Political party and campaign funding in the world
  15. The Power of Norms in Contemporary International Relations
  16. Economic and Commercial Diplomacy
  17. Negative Economic Diplomacy – Benefits and Challenges
  18. Global Governance of Enterpreneurial Activities (GRI, UNGC…)
  19. From the Non-Western Theories of International Relations to Global IR

Recommended reading

  1. ALDEN, C. and ARAN, A. (2017). Foreign Policy Analysis: New Approaches. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-1-138-93429-0.
  2. BREUNING, M. (2007). Foreign Policy Analysis: A Comparative Introduction.New York: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 978-0-312-29620-9.
  3. Baldwin, R. E. (2016). The Great Convergence: Information Technology and the New Globalization. Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, ISBN 978-0-674-66048-9.
  4. BERRIDGE, G. R. (2010). Theory and Practice. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 978-0-230-22960-0.
  5. BLACK, J. (2010). A History of Diplomacy. London: Reaktion Books Ltd., ISBN 978-1-86189-696-4.
  6. BURCHILL, S. (2013). Theories of International Relations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 978-0-415-77842-8.
  7. CABADA, L. and WAISOVÁ, Š. (2011). Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic in World Politics. Lanham: Lexington Books. (Available at: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/natl-ebooks/detail.action?docID=862645)
  8. Dicken, P. (2015). Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy. Los Angeles: Sage, ISBN 978-1-4462-8210-6.
  9. DUNNE, T., KURKI, M. and SMITH, S. (2013). International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-969601-7.
  10. EICHLER, J. (2017). War, Peace and International Security. From Sarajevo to Crimea. London: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 978-1137601490.
  11. FRIEDMAN, G. (2015). Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe. New York: Anchor, ISBN 978-0385536332. 1–33, 251–258.
  12. IKENBERRY, G. (2014). The Illusion of Geopolitics: The Enduring Power of the Liberal Order. Foreign Affairs, 93 (3), pp. 80–90.
  13. KISSINGER, H. (2014). World Order. Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History. London: Penguin Books, ISBN 978-0141979007.
  14. Krugman, P. R., Obstfeld, M. and Melitz, M. J. (2018). International Economics: Theory and Policy. Boston: Pearson Education Limited, ISBN 978-1-292-21487-0.
  15. LEMERT, C. C. (2010). Globalization: A reader. London: Routledge, 978-0-415-46478-9.
  16. O’Brien, R. and Williams, M. (2016). Global Political Economy: Evolution & Dynamics. London: Palgrave, ISBN 978-1-137-52312-9.
  17. O’HANLON, M. (2017). Beyond NATO: A New Security Architecture for Eastern Europe. Washington: Brookings institution, ISBN 978-80815732570.
  18. SMITH, S., HADFIELD, A. and DUNNE, T. (2016). Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, Cases.Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0198708902.
  19. WEBER, C. (2010). International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-77842-8.
  20. WEISS, T. G. (2010). The United Nations and Changing World Politics. Boulder: Westview Press, ISBN 978-0-8133-4435-5.
  21. WEISS, T. G. and WILKINSON, R. (2014). International Organization and Global Governance. London: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-62760-3.

International and Diplomatic Studies – pdf

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