The Study Program

The Study Program

During the first year (in Trento), students will take advanced core courses in European and International Economics, European and International Law, European and International Politics, Contemporary History, Research Methods in Social Sciences, English Language, a second language course and at least one elective course.

During the fall semester of the second year (in Pisa), students will take courses in International Relations Theory, International Law, International  and European Political Economy, European Politics and Security, Political Theory/International Political Philosophy through specially tailored courses that focus on contemporary transnationalism and governance. Students are also expected to take a course of English for International Relations and an elective course.

Upon arrival in Pisa EU and non-EU students will receive a specific orientation and will also receive coaching for their vocational needs during the year. They will benefit from facilities reserved to other students of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna; they will have free access to computer labs and the library; they will be facilitated in their access to refectory services (canteen), and will receive specific orientation on accommodation in Pisa.

During the spring semester of the second year, the students will be abroad, hosted by partner universities around the world. During their period abroad, the students are expected to follow courses (approx 6 CFU) and to write a final research paper/thesis (24 CFU). Finally, students will have to defend their research paper to be awarded both the MEIS Degree and the Graduate Diploma in Transnational Governance.

Teaching methodology 

Each core course offers a balanced mix of lectures and seminars on selected issues. Beside tenured resident faculty, academics and practitioners with an international reputation for excellence are involved both in teaching and in counselling, as well as in scientific supervision.

Courses are focused both on theoretical and methodological pluralism, coupled with a substantive focus on contemporary regional studies. The programme promotes an integrated vision and critical understanding of contemporary political, economic, legal and social issues, by applying different theoretical perspectives and methodologies. The programme is structured on the interactive learning community method that inspires the work of both promoting institutions.

Upon completion of the programme, students will acquire thorough knowledge of the major themes and issues related to current? transnational phenomena and governance challenges, as well as insights on the plurality of methods to analyse and assess them. In addition, they will acquire practical skills for designing research projects, conducting empirical research and policy analysis, and preparing policy plans.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Integrated Graduate Program in International Studies and Transnational Governance (ISTG) can work in international organizations, non-governamental organizations, European institutions, and national, regional and sub-national institutions. Other work opportunities can be in multinational corporations, consultancy, lobbying sectors, as well as in journalistm and in the area of education and research.

Course Programme

Here follows the list of the courses for the a.y. 2012-13.

Outlines of the 4 specially dedicated courses (each of 36 hours) that will start in September as part of the ISTG course are now available to download.  A course of specialized English for International Relations (24 hours) will also start in September, as will a series of seminars (18 hours) on “European Perspectives”, in which both SSSA staff and foreign guest speakers will participate.

The extra credits which will be required in order to obtain the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna’s graduate certificate can be gained for courses chosen, with the advice of the Management Committee, from the wide-ranging regular integrative program which the Sant'Anna School offers to its students, in accordance with their level, in the fields of political science, economics and law.  Details of these courses will be provided at a later date.

The weighting of the credits given for these courses at Sant’Anna is not the standard one; 1 credit corresponds to 10-12 lecture hours, rather than 6.  Therefore the 6 additional credits correspond to 60 extra lecture hours (the regulations on compulsory attendance will be communicated at a later date).