Master in Global Politics and Society (GPS)

Global Politics and Society (GPS) is a two-year master’s degree programme, entirely taught in English. Students of this programme will benefit from a multidisciplinary training of the highest quality, aimed at preparing highly-qualified professionals, able to understand and interpret complex social and political dynamics arising in the wake of globalization, within a scenario of increased international interdependences. Core modules will bridge cutting-edge concepts and skills necessary to address key contemporary questions, extending from global geopolitics dynamics to the transformation of societies, from developments in international political economy to changing patterns of social inequalities. Students will then have the opportunity to strengthen their preparation in specific thematic areas, choosing from a wide range of options made possible thanks to the several lines of research that characterize the Department of Social and Political Sciences, which stands out as one of the best performing department for social and political sciences research in Italy.

During the last decades, globalization processes have been challenging the functioning of western societies across a wide range of domains: from political participation and representation to welfare states’ structures and labour market regulation; from citizenship’s rights and migration, to the threats concerning novel forms of discrimination and exclusion. The complexity, as well as the interdependent nature of those challenges, require professionals able to understand and interpret, in a way that is at the same time rigorous, theoretically informed and methodologically sound, how and in which directions globalization processes are affecting the functioning of contemporary societies and polities.

The master’s degree in Global Politics and Society addresses the above-mentioned task, relying on a genuinely multidisciplinary approach, developed through a coherent path consisting of: - a core package of six compulsory courses - meant to provide an advanced training in the fields of political science and sociology, complemented by key competences in the area of law and economics (48 credits); - five elective courses, that allow students to strengthen their competences in specific thematic areas, within a rich offer of options (36 credits); - other additional elective and optional activities (15 credits); - a research dissertation (21 credits).

Analyst of social and political phenomena in the global scenario

Function in a work context: Graduates in Global Politics and Society will be able to analyze - contextualizing them in the global scenario - complex socio-economic and political phenomena that characterize the relational and institutional structure of societies contemporary and pertain to different areas of public policy. The areas of expertise include: the analysis of the transformations induced by the processes of globalization and their own implications both on a global and local scale, the dynamics of discrimination and empowerment processes of discriminated social categories, welfare and anti-poverty policies, labor policies, rights humans.

Skills associated with the function: Through the educational path, graduates acquire broad critical knowledge of the main social theories of the globalization processes, contemporary dynamics relating to democratization and cooperation processes and development, of intercultural relations and transformation of citizenship, also in relation to social and public rights Work. He also has solid methodological skills, both qualitative and quantitative. The profile of magistrate graduates is characterized by an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the social dimensions, political, juridical, economic and cultural aspects of globalization processes, both as regards relations international and local effects. The master's graduate in Global Politics and Society therefore possesses advanced knowledge and skills for understand and evaluate the functioning of political institutions in different socio-economic contexts and the implications generated by processes that occur on a global scale.

Employment opportunities: Global Politics and Society master graduates will be able to pursue several professional careers in one multiplicity of sectors, proposing themselves as specialists capable of interpreting political, economic and social issues in the global scenario and to develop medium and long-term strategic plans: 1) in the field of research applied, in the field of social and political sciences; 2) at national and international institutions and organizations non-governmental; 3) in public, private or third sector companies operating on the global market; 4) in the sectors information, publishing and cultural industries. By way of example, they may apply to hold positions of responsibility in public, private or third party bodies sector, inserted in national and international contexts or in the global market, including: public bodies and governmental bodies (Ministries, General Directorates, institutions and bodies responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of policies social and labour, anti-discrimination policies and cooperation and development policies (both local and international); community and transnational bodies (multilateral agencies of the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, the OECD, etc.); non-governmental and third sector bodies engaged in subsidiary actions of implementation of social and labour, cultural, educational and development cooperation policies. Master's graduates in Global Politics and Society will also acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to access second level masters and/or to continue training at doctoral level, in science disciplinespolitical and social issues in Italy and abroad.

Acquired skills and competences Graduates of this programme will be equipped with the theoretical tools and empirical knowledge necessary for an in-depth and critical understanding of the functioning of contemporary societies and polities within the global scenario. To this end, the master’s degree in Global Politics and Society will offer an advanced training in the fields of political science and sociology, complemented with key competences in the area of law and economics. In addition, during the whole programme, GPS aims at:

• enhancing the acquisition of soft skills, such as teamwork, the ability to present in public and effectively discuss topics related to political and social dynamics in a globalized scenario;
• fostering the capacity of critical and creative thinking in relation to the global threats affecting the functioning of contemporary societies and polities.

The University of Milan is a public teaching and research university, which - with 8 faculties and 2 schools and a teaching staff of more than 2000 professors - is distinguished by its wide variety of disciplinary fields. A leading institute in Italy and Europe for scientific productivity, the University of Milan is the largest university in the region, with approximately 64,000 students; it is also an important resource for the socio-economic context of which it is a part. Milan is, in fact, the capital of Lombardy, one of the most dynamic and international regions in the European Union, a leader in the national economy that stands at the Italian forefront of research and development investments and commitment to technological innovation.

The University of Milan also possesses a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage that includes important historic buildings, inherited and acquired collections, archives, botanical gardens and the old Brera Observatory commissioned by Maria Teresa of Austria. The University’s departments are housed in important historic edifices in the center of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Città Studi (the City of Studies). Among the palazzos that house the University’s facilities are the old Ca' Granda (the big house) – a monumental complex from the 15th-century in the heart of the historical city centre - the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi designed by Giuseppe Piermarini – who built the Scala Theatre in Milan – and the 17th-century Sant’Alessandro College commissioned by the Arcimboldi family. The book collection , which is one of the richest in the region, is preserved in 47 libraries, while the APICE Centre collects rare and valuable book stocks and archives. The University also has a Choir and its own Orchestra, which actively contributes to the cultural life of the city and receives international acknowledgments on an increasingly frequent basis.