Global Studies with a Special Emphasis on Peace and Security in Africa Leipzig University

Globalisation processes are strongly linked to issues of peace and security as well as stability and development — not only in Africa. Globalisation processes, including colonisation, de-colonisation, the end of the Cold War, effects of 9/11, the 2008 economic and financial crisis, the so-called Arab Spring, the climate crisis and other current international developments have created particular challenges, risks, threats and vulnerabilities for the African continent.

Globalisation is affecting Africa in specific ways, and globalisation processes (past and present) have implications for security in Africa. The increase in civil wars, intra-state and cross-border conflicts following the end of the Cold War is just one example. Durable peace and stability in Africa have been identified as preconditions for the development of the continent in a constantly globalising world. As such, peace and security research is of special interest to the region. The creation of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union and other related policy and research institutions are further point to this need. Linking the subject of “Peace and Security” to the field of “Global Studies” not only allows us to analyse the spatial context but also the global dimensions of peace and security in Africa.

The aim of the programme is the interdisciplinary and transnational training of experts in peace and security issues, particularly on the African continent, with special consideration of the new global configurations in which these conflicts take place. Accordingly, the curriculum goes beyond the traditional focus of peace and security studies, integrating it with the knowledge scope of global studies.

This unique Master's programme combines the expertise of two partner institutes in the fields of globalisation research (GESI) and "Peace and Security in Africa" (IPSS).

The learning targets of the programme are as follows:

• to become familiar with different academic ways of looking at processes of globalisation
• to learn about how concepts of globalisation operated in the past and today in various world regions, specifically in Africa, and how processes of globalisation interact with aspects of peace and security
• to work with concepts from different analytical and theoretical perspectives
• to systematically compare socio-political concepts and configurations as well as to investigate their mutual interactions
• to gain insights into the production of social science knowledge and to relate knowledge production to concepts of globalisation and peace and security
• to become aware of one's own rootedness in a specific discipline and academic culture

The Master's in "Global Studies with a Special Emphasis on Peace and Security in Africa" is a two-year Master's divided into four phases (two winter and two summer semesters). The programme has a modular structure in line with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), as initiated by the Bologna Process. It is made up of 120 credits (30 credits each semester), which is equivalent to a study workload of 900 hours per semester or 1,800 hours per year. It combines established teaching methods (lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, etc.) with practical experiences such as research internships.

The programme combines on-site and online elements. While lecturers from Leipzig University teach the students in block courses on-site in Addis Ababa, the students also have the opportunity to attend some course elements online.

The first, third and fourth semesters take place at Addis Ababa University with lecturers from Leipzig and Addis Ababa teaching courses together. The second semester takes place at Leipzig University, linking the students' studies in Ethiopia directly to their training in Germany.

Centre for Peace and Security Studies (CPSS), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)

• Academic excellence (study results and quality of higher education institution)
• motivation and academic potential
• match of previous degree with our Master’s programme
• work experience and professional qualification
• language skills

• At the moment, registration at Addis Ababa University is 200 USD which includes 80 USD admission and 120 USD for registration for international students.
• Local students pay the local fees for registration. The registration fee at Leipzig University is 250 EUR, which includes a public transportation ticket for the city and reduced prices in dining halls.

• In addition to tuition fees, students coming to Addis Ababa should have approximately 8,000 ETB or 350 EUR per month at their disposal for accommodation and living costs. We help organising private accommodation in Addis.
• For the second semester in Leipzig, monthly expenses, including rent, amount to an average of 650 EUR. We support organising accommodation in student dorms, which costs 180 to 220 EUR per month.

Funding opportunities are partly offered within the university.