M.A. International Studies
About us
The Department of International Studies was started in the year 2019, offering a two year postgraduate programme in International Studies.
M.A. International Studies is a specialised interdisciplinary programme seeking to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and skill set pertinent to addressing current global challenges. A tailormade syllabus designed and implemented as per industry requirements engages with topics such as climate change, global health, trade, cyberspace, proliferation, diplomacy, terrorism and development.
The curriculum includes a mandatory Certificate Course in Foreign Languages (German and Mandarin) to foster scholarship of the regions, a month-long Internship component in the third semester to gain hands-on industry experience and culminates in a Dissertation / Thesis writing in the final semester.
Internship Abroad programmes, Semester Abroad programmes and MOUs with various universities are underway. Participation in international and national conferences, seminars and workshops is encouraged and a vibrant learning environment is facilitated both within and outside the campus.
A customised pedagogy perceptive of both individual academic needs and industry requirements prepares the students for a range of professions in both public and private sectors that require advanced expertise and skills in the field.
Students are encouraged to choose their future workspace from a range of career options including (but not limited to) interdisciplinary research in humanities, academia, civil services, placements in International / Regional organisations, embassies, consulates, corporate foundations, NGOs, think-tanks, financial institutions and media.
For Admissions and other Course related details, please visit the
FACULTY
Ms. Hemalatha Gunasekaran
Head & Assistant Professor
Courses Taught: Theories and Issues in International Relations, Research Methodology, West Asia in World Politics
Email Id: hemalatha@wcc.edu.in
Ms. Maithili Sane
Assistant Professor
Courses Taught: Contemporary Issues in World Affairs, Strategic Environment of South Asia and the Indian Ocean Realm, International Organisations
Email Id: maithili@wcc.edu.in
Ms Karishma Angela Vincent
Assistant Professor
Courses Taught: Contemporary Politics of China since 1949, Culture and Ethnicity
Email Id: karishma@wcc.edu.in
ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
Highlights
- 08.22 – Organized a student interaction with MP Ms. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on the topic “Women and Leadership”.
- Ms.Madhushree. S, a second year M.A student secured a traineeship position at International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva from July 2022.
- Ananya Varma of I MA International Studies selected for a summer programme in Law and Public Policy at the Seoul National University, South Korea for the period of June 2022.
- Two Students from the department, Ms. Jane Sheeba Varghese and Ms. Liya Sarah Philip have been selected for the National Youth Policy Regional Consultation Conducted by the UNFPA and are representing the college at SRM, Chennai.
- The Department announced its 1st and 2nd National Essay Competition and Cash Prizes were distributed to winners – 2021, 2022
- The Department received a Scranton Prize of 2000 US Dollars in the essay contest on Cultural Diversity and Inclusiveness conducted by Scranton Centre, South Korea, April 2023
- The Department organized and conducted a Panel discussion on “Decoding the Russia Ukraine Crisis” on 15th March, 2022. Panelists: Dr. Stanly Johny, (International Affairs Editor, The Hindu), Prof. Dr. Ramu Manivannan and Maj. Madhan Kumar (Retd.).
- The Department conducted a two day Korean Cultural Festival on 15th and 16th September 2022 that included a film screening, K-Street, K-food etc
- Students from I and II M.A International Studies attended a one day workshop on Gender Justice in Writing by Fulbright Scholar Prof. Jamie Barber organized by the American Center, US Consulate, Chennai, March 2023
- Ms.Laminica and Ms.Sangeetha of I MA secured the Runner Up position at the Inter Collegiate Department Culturals conducted by the Dept of International Studies, Loyola College, Chennai.
- 17.6.22 – Ms. Mary Selma Rose received a Grant Prize of 500 US dollars for the best essay on “Exploring Women’s Role in Ecofeminism” under the theme Eco-Justice Project in the Scranton Essay Contest conducted by the Scranton Women’s Leadership Center, South Korea Ms. Domini Jyotsna received a Grant Prize of 500 US dollars for the essay on “Interspecies Justice and Biodiversity Conservation – An ignored Perspective” under the theme Eco-Justice Project conducted by the Scranton Women’s Leadership Center, South Korea
- Our current batch of students are interning at State Human Rights Commission, Madras Institute of Development Studies, IJCCI, IJM, Bhumi Foundation, Lalit Kala Akademi and Chennai Center for China Studies.
- 12.09.22 – Ms. Domini Jyotsna of II MA was awarded the Best Speaker Prize for her paper presentation on “Understanding Commodity Culture: China’s Fashion and Food Influence in South Asia” at an International Conference on “Socio-Economic and Political Dynamics in South Asia” conducted by Saveetha School of Law, Chennai
- The students from Ist and IInd M.A International Studies were invited by the All India Radio, Chennai for a discussion on India’s leadership for the G20 summit, 2023.
- The Korean traditional Music workshop was a joint initiative carried out by the M.A International Studies Department in collaboration with the InKo Center, Chennai. It featured traditional Korean instruments such as the pansori and was an effort to increase awareness in Indian students about the scope and influence of these instruments and their beauty in the present day Korean Pop culture.
- The Students from I and II M.A International Studies participated in the Annual Trade Fair organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu. The students prepared handmade exhibits on themes including Unity in Diversity, India and its neighbours, Wildlife Conservation, and the Indian Constitution. The department represented the college at the Higher Education Department’s stall at the trade fair.
- 17.08.22 – Organized a hands- on art workshop for students on a traditional tribal art form by Chennai-based artist Mrs. Jeyashree of Hasthashri Arts and Crafts
- 2.6.22 – Ms. Logeshwari of II MA International Studies won the First Prize in Essay Writing Competition for her essay on “Human Rights and Climate Change” held by the State Human Rights Commission, Tamilnadu.
Ms. Madhushree, S, (II MA International Studies) has secured a six month internship at the United Nations Environment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland from Jan 2022 – June 2022.
Our current batch of students have completed internships at Madras Institute of Development Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Global Peace Foundation, Bhumi Foundation and Chennai Center for China Studies.
Ms. Liya Sarah Philip contributed to the “The World This Week” section in the April edition of National Institute of Advanced Studies Commentary on Global Politics- http://globalpolitics.in/view_cir_articles.php?ArticleNo=259&url=The%20World%20this%20Week&recordNo=341 on 18th April, 2020.
Students Completed Level 1.1 of Certificate Course in German Language offered by Inaword at Women’s Christian College, Chennai on 9th October, 2019.
Academic Events
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- Ms.Logeshwari II M.A International Studies, presented a paper on ‘Relooking Statehood under International Law from the prismatic lens of Climate Change’, at the 16th Professor S.P Sathe International Conference on Climate Change, ILS Law College, Pune.
- Ms.Ananya Varma, I M.A International Studies, presented a paper on ‘To tour or not to tour – A Comparative study of the Tourism Policy of South Korea and Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic” and
- Ms.Arshiya Banu, I M.A International Studies, presented a paper on “Vaccine Diplomacy – A Hard Tool for Soft Power” at the Young Diplomat National Conference organized by Christ University, Bangalore and has published news pieces on the National Institute of Advanced Studies website, Bangalore.
- Ms.Hemalatha Gunasekaran – Received Faculty Seed Grant for her project on “ A biodiversity refugium model of conservation and the Ramsar Convention: Case study of the Pallikaranai Marsh, Tamilnadu”.
- Renjana and Mohammad Zaina from Ist M.A International Studies presented papers at the two day National Seminar on Democracy and Social Justice – Consensus and Controversies organized by the Department of Legal Studies, University of Madras.
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- The students from Ist M.A International Studies participated in a one day seminar titled, “The Genesis of the Russian – Ukraine Conflict” held at the Russian Cultural Centre, organized by the Russian Consulate and the Peninsular Research Foundation, Chennai.
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- Agnes, Sally and Sangeetha from Ist M.A International Studies presented papers at the Young Diplomat Online Conference organized by the Christ University, Bangalore.
- Ms.Karishma Angela Vincent, Asst Professor along with eight students from I and II M.A International Studies presented papers at an International Conference organized by the Department of Sociology, Loyola College, Chennai. The Conference was titled, Women in the 21st Century.
- Students attended a Guest Lecture by UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Ashwini KP at Loyola College Chennai commemorating world day of social justice.
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- Domini from IInd M.A and Logeshwari, Rithika and Joys from I M.A International Studies presented papers at a National Conference titled India@75: achievements, challenge and Prospects, organized by the Department of History, Women’s Christian College.
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- Greeshma, Sangeetha, Logeshwari and Rithika from I M.A International Studies attended a two day International Conference titled China’s new growth engine and Implications conducted by the Centre for Contemporary China Studies and Chennai Centre for China Studies.
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- Misha and Johanna from I M.A International Studies attended a National Conference titled Indian Economy and Climate Change organized by the Reserve Bank of India and Madras Institute for Developmental Studies.
- The Department organized an online talk on ‘International Criminal Justice System- Why, What and How? in collaboration with the Young Indians Club, Women’s Christian College.
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- 12. 09.22 – 11 students from IInd MA International Studies and faculty Ms. Archana presented papers at an International Conference on “Socio-Economic and Political Dynamics in South Asia” conducted by Saveetha School of Law, Chennai
- 3.11. 22 – Ms. Domini Jyotsna, II MA Student and faculty Ms. Angelin Archana attended the Young-IPRI workshop conducted by Pondicherry University and presented papers on “Ethnoreligious conflict in Southern Thailand: Reasons why it continues” and “Understanding discrimination towards the LGBT Community in Europe: Sexual Orientation, Emotional Distress, and Church- State Relations” respectively.
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Students participated and presented papers in an International Conference on “Governance and Public Policy” on 22-23 February, 2020
organised by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur, Tamilnadu. The abstracts were published with ISBN number.
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Students Ms. Siva Priya. M, Ms. Liya Sarah Philip, Ms. Jane Sheeba Varghese, Ms. Pavithra.R, Ms. Shamini Velayudham, Ms. Sumaiya Anzum and Ms. Mahalakshmi presented papers at the International Conference on 22-23 February, 2020
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The PG Department of International Studies conducted a Workshop on “Public Speaking and Effective Communication” on 13th September, 2019 by Ms. Sruthakeerthi M, IIM, Bangalore.
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Students attended an international conference on “India and the Indian Ocean Region: Dynamics of Geopolitics, Security and Global Commons” that was held at Women’s Christian College, Chennai on 12th & 13th July, 2019.”
Special Lectures/Talks
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Special Lectures/Talks:
- The Department organized a guest lecture on “75 years of Indian Democracy and Development: From Nehru to Modi” by Dr. Pulapre Balakrishnan, Renowned Economist, on 28th April, 2022.
- 30th October 2021 – The Department organized a Webinar on ‘State Sovereignty vs Investor Rights: Critical reflections on the Investor State Dispute Settlement’, delivered by Dr. Bharath Palle, Doctor of Juridical Science, Harvard Law School.
- 11th October 2022- The Department organized a Guest Lecture on “ Art Authrntication using Digital Techniques” by Dr. Hemashankari, Associate Professor, Dept of Computer Applications, Women’s Christian College
- 2. 9. 22 – Organized a student interaction with the research team from National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore on International relations: Prospects and Opportunities.
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The Department of International Studies conducted a guest lecture on “Cultural Diplomacy and International Communication” on 3rd October, 2020 by Ms. Vishwanjali Gaikwad, IFS, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Philippines.
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In a guest talk, Ambassador Leela K. Ponappa, IFS, Former Deputy National Security Advisor and Secretary, National Security Council Secretariat addressed the students on 06th March, 2020 in an interactive session on “The Civil Services as a Career Option”.
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The Department of International Studies in collaboration with the Department of History conducted a guest lecture on “Soft Balancing: From Empires to the Global Era” on 30th January, 2020. Prof. T.V. Paul James McGill Professor of International Relations, Department of Political Science, James McGill University, Canada, was the speaker.
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The Department of International Studies conducted a guest lecture on “Imperialism- Past and Present” on 6th January, 2020. Dr. Usha Varadarajan and Dr. Emanuele Saccarelli, Associate Professors, Department of Political Science at San Diego State University, U.S.A., were the Speakers.
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The PG Dept of International Studies in collaboration with the Department of History conducted a guest lecture on “The Middle East: Geopolitical Issues and Challenges” on 22nd August, 2019. Dr. Radhika Lakshminarayanan, Associate Professor, American University of Middle East, Kuwait, was the Speaker.
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“The State of International Relations: Academic and Policy Research Perspectives” was held on 15th July, 2019. Dr. Arabinda Acharya (National Defense University, USA), Dr. R.P. Pradhan (BITS, Goa) and Dr. Lawrence Prabhakar (MCC, Chennai) held at the Department of International Studies, Women’s Christian College, Chennai, were the Resource Persons.