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Overview
On-site in Tartu, 28 July - 6 August 2025
With wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Karabakh dominating contemporary international relations the study of secessionist bids and the quest for statehood and recognition becomes paramount. Students of International Relations can benefit from a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the concepts and practices of secessionism as well as the way in which these aspects impact international order. Questions regarding peace and violence in secessionist bids as well as the possible outcomes of secessionist wars continue to dominate both academic and policymaking debate, making this topic worthwhile for discussion and study.
This course highlights fundamental questions of sovereignty and statehood in the context of secessionist conflicts. It offers an insight into the topics such self-determination and sovereignty practices, survival pathways, incomplete and negotiated secessions. We will also explore the topics of “frozen conflicts” and de-facto states and their agency. We then turn to analysing the politics of recognition, counter-secession strategies and engagement without recognition as well as the success and failure of secessionist movements. This course relies mostly on first hand research and is comparative in nature, with students having the opportunity to explore different cases of secessionist bids from across the world through a combination of teaching, independent work as well as discussions based on various films and a fieldtrip to Narva. A separate part of the course will be dedicated to a simulation exercise in where students will have the chance to gain first-hand experience of negotiation techniques as well as practical knowledge of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Upon completing the course, learners will:
Accreditation
Every seven years, all Estonian higher education institutions must undergo external evaluation – institutional accreditation. The latest assessment took place in 2022. The assessment council of the Estonian Quality Agency for Education decided to accredit the University of Tartu for the next seven years (2023-2029).
Programme Structure
28 July Self-determination and Sovereignty Practices
Film screening and discussion “How to Start Your Own Country”
29 July Peace and Violence in Secessionist Bids: What Works? Film screening and discussion “Parts of the Circle: History of the Karabakh Conflict” (2019)
30 July De Facto States and “Frozen Conflicts” Film screening and discussion “PMR: In the State of Limbo” (2014)
31 July Patronage and De Facto State Agency. Film screening and discussion “Abkhazia: The Long Arm of Russia” (2009)
1 August Politics of Recognition Film screening and discussion “The Agreement” (2013)
2 August Fieldtrip to Narva
3 August Fieldtrip to Narva
4 August Counter-secession Strategies and Engagement without Recognition. Film screening “Somaliland: An Experiment in Democracy” (2015)
5 August Success and Failure of Secessionist Movements Film screening “Ghosts of Karabakh” (2021)
6 August Negotiation and simulation exercises. Simulation exercise: Israel-Palestine Conflict
Audience
MA/PhD
Lecturers
Prof Eiki Berg, University of Tartu and Dr Shpend Kursani, Lecturer at the University of Tartu
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 10 days
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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More details
Apply by 7 April 2025 to get the Early Bird discount of -10%!
Language
English
Credits
3 ECTS
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
- Tartu, Estonia
Disciplines
International Relations International Development Political ScienceWhat students do after studying
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Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Other requirements
General requirements
Which previous knowledge is required?
Applicants should preferably have International Relations/Political Science background
Entry requirements:
- Online application form (application period April 1 - April 30 2025)
- Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
- Transcript of academic records
- Application fee of 25 EUR
- Copy of passport
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Tartu and/or in Estonia, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Tuition Fee
To always see correct tuition fees
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International
700 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 700 EUR for the full programme during 10 days. -
EU/EEA
700 EUR/fullTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 700 EUR for the full programme during 10 days.
Living costs for Tartu
300 - 600 EUR /month
Living costs
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
1. Estonian National Scholarships at StudyinEstonia.ee.
You can read more about the scholarships on the homepage of StudyinEstonia.ee.
2. ENLIGHT scholarship
More information and the application form are on the ENLIGHT scholarship page: https://ut.ee/en/content/enlight-scholarship
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