2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

Additional Concentration Requirements for International Relations and Caribbean Politics

In addition to the Core Requirements, International Relations Concentration Requirements and Thesis/Internship Option candidates for the MSPS with a concentration in International Relations and Caribbean Politics must complete the following six courses at the University of the West Indies (UWI) – St. Augustine in Trinidad. The courses at UWI are offered only during the summer.

Literature and Society in the Caribbean (3)

Sociology of the Caribbean (3)

The Government and Politics of the Caribbean (3)

Caribbean Economy (3)

International Relations of the Caribbean (3)

Business and Society in the Caribbean (3)

Total additional concentration requirements (18 credits)

In this program, you will spend the fall and spring semesters at Suffolk, pursuing all core and track requirements for the MSPS in International Relations, earning 28 credits, with the exception of the thesis/internship option. You will then spend the summer at the UWI St. Augustine, in Trinidad, where you will take the six required courses (18 credits) for UWI’s post-graduate Diploma in Caribbean Studies. You will then write a research paper fulfilling both Suffolk’s requirements for the thesis, and UWI’s requirement for a final research paper. Normally, the thesis must be submitted by December of the year in which you attended UWI. The thesis must be approved by both institutions, including the usual oral examination at Suffolk. Students in this track who wish to write a thesis need not take GVT 907 but must have their thesis proposal approved by a faculty committee. Successful candidates then receive both the MSPS with a concentration in International Relations and Caribbean Politics (Suffolk) and the Diploma in Caribbean Studies (UWI). You may also choose to complete an internship in Caribbean Politics, in accordance with the usual procedures for the MSPS internship option, but will still be required to submit the required final research paper to UWI.

The University of the West Indies
The University college, established in 1948 at Mona, Jamaica, was the first campus of the University of the West Indies. Subsequently campuses were established at St. Augustine, Trinidad (1960) and Cave Hill, Barbados (1962). Today, the University of the West Indies is comprised of its three main campuses, the Center of Hotel and Tourism Management in the Bahamas, the Institute of Business at St. Augustine at Mona, and 11 non-campus centers situated in other Caribbean countries.

Fall Semester (Suffolk University)

GVT 761 Seminar in International Relations Theory (3)

GVT 778 Advanced Research Methods in International Relations  (3)

Elective Courses  (6)

Total (12 credits)

Spring Semester (Suffolk University)

GVT 763 International Political Economy (3)

GVT 774 Ethical Issues in International Relations (3)

Elective Courses (6)

Total (12)

Summer Term (UWI)

Literature and Society in the Caribbean (3)

Sociology of the Caribbean (3)

The Government and Politics of the Caribbean (3)

Caribbean Economy (3)

International Relations of the Caribbean (3)

Business and Society in the Caribbean (3)

Total (18 credits)

Fall Term (UWI or Suffolk)

Completion of thesis GVT 957 or internship GVT 723

Total (3-6 credits)

Note: Each UWI course meets for four hours per week from May through August. Students are required to take and pass examinations in each of the six subjects at the end of the term.

Costs/Tuition
Students will pay their part-time or full-time tuition costs (depending on how you are enrolled) for the MSPS for the fall and spring semesters at Suffolk; UWI’s tuition for the summer; and Suffolk’s tuition for the thesis course the following fall. These fees do not include books or accommodations. Housing is available through UWI (dormitory and townhouse rooms with shared kitchens and either private or shared bath and toilet facilities), off-campus housing is available. Students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Trinidad.