Riara University School of International Relations and Diplomacy Courses

Why International Relations Programme?
In our increasingly interdependent and dynamic world, international relations and diplomacy has become one of the fastest growing areas of study because of its immense contributions to the causes of international security and peace, global trade and economic development, ecological sustainability, confliict management etc. This course familiarizes learners with the international system and prepares them to play an active role in a globalized world. It is taught by world class faculty using an interdisciplinary student-centered approach to learning, which expands students’ intellectual horizons and enables them take an integrated approach to problem solving. The course, which embraces sound theoretical and practical approaches, fulfills the market need for well-rounded diplomats with demonstrable personal and professional qualities of an inquiring mind, innovativeness, critical and logical thinking, and ethical integrity. After successful completion of this two academic year course, you will not only be ready for further academic training in this field, but you will also be ready for career opportunities in the United Nations, African Union, COMESA, IGAD, East African Community, Embassies, International and local NGOs etc. We offer both day and evening programmes. Â

Mode of Delivery
The programme is offered during the Day (8.00 am to 5.00pm). The programme is spread over eight trimesters. Â

Tuition Fee
Tuition fee per trimester is Ksh. 70,000 excluding statutory fees . Â

Who is eligible to Apply?
To obtain admission to this programme, a candidate must satisfy one of the following requirements:
a. Be a holder of KCSE with at least C+ (plus) aggregate;
OR
b. Be a holder of KACE certificate with minimum of two principal passes and one subsidiary pass or its equivalent;
OR
c. Be a holder of IGCSE Certificate with minimum Five Credits or equivalent international qualification ;
OR
d. Be a holder of Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy of Riara University with a GPA of 2.00 (C) or equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by CUE.
The University admits students in the month of January, May and September each year.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

 BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY

 

The programme shall consist of course units drawn from Foundation courses, Programme Core courses, Programme Elective courses, International Relations simulation, project and one attachment as indicated in the schedule below.

 

Year 1 – 1st Semester

 

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
RIR 101	Introduction to International Relations	3
RIR 102	Theory and practice of Diplomacy	3
RIR 103	Introduction to International Conflict Management	3
RIR 104	Introduction to Foreign Language	3
RFC 101	Communication and Writing Skills	3
RFC 103	Introduction to Computer Applications	3
RIR 105	Introduction to International Law	3
	Total	21

 

Year 1 – 2nd Semester

 

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
RIR 106	Introduction to International Political Economy	3
RIR 107	Introduction to Political Science	3
RIR 108	Theory of International Relations	3
RIR 109	Intermediate Foreign Language	3
RFC 102	HIV-Aids and Drugs Abuse	3
RFC 104	Creative and Critical Thinking	3
RIR 110	Introduction to International Security	3
	Total	21
	TOTAL FOR YEAR ONE	42

 

Year 2 – 1st Semester

 

Course Code			Title of the Course	Credit hours
RIR 201			Foreign Policy Analysis	3
RIR 202			Comparative Political Systems	3
RIR 203			Treaty Making	3
RIR 204			International Organizations	3
	RFC 206	Entrepreneurship and Innovation		3
	RFC 201	Ethics,  Culture and Development
RIR 205			International Crisis Management	3
RIR 206			International Human Rights Law and Practice	3
Total			Total	21

 

Year 2 – 2nd Semester

 

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
RIR 207	International Relations of African States	3
RIR 208	International Humanitarian Law	3
RIR 209	 Africa in International Affairs	3
RIR 210	Migration and Diaspora Studies	3
RIR 211	Diplomacy of Regional Integration	3
RIR 212	Introduction to International Economics	3
RFC 205	Community Service	3
	Total	24
	TOTAL FOR YEAR TWO	45

 

Year 3 – 1st Semester 

NB:  Students to undertake Core Units and one elective from each Thematic area namely Diplomacy, International Relations and Conflict Management.

 

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
Core Units
RIR 301	 Research Methods in International Relations	3
RIR 302	Terrorism and Counter Terrorism Strategies	3
RIR 303	Use of Force in International Law and Humanitarian Intervention	3
RIR 304	Diplomacy and Refugees	3
Diplomacy Option/Electives
RIR 305	Diplomacy of Arms control and proliferation	3
RIR 306	Diplomacy of the Diaspora	3
RIR 307	Documents of Diplomacy	3
International Relations and Law Option/Electives
RIR 308	The United Nations	3
RIR 309	African Regional Organizations	3
RIR 312	International Criminal Law	3
RIR 313	International Law of Refugees	3
Conflict Management and Security Option/Electives
RIR 310	Civil-Military Relations	3
RIR 311	Human Security	3
RIR 314	Regional Organizations and Conflict Management	3
RIR 315	Regionalism and Regional Integration	3
RIR 316	Migration and Conflicts	3
RIR 317	Diplomacy and Conflict Management	3
	Total	21

  

Year 3 – 2nd Semester

 

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
CORE UNITS
RIR 321	Internship	6
	Total	6
	TOTAL FOR YEAR THREE	27

 

Year 4 – 1st Semester

 

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
Core Units
RIR 401	Diplomatic History of Kenya	3
RIR 402	Diplomatic Protocol, Etiquette and Ceremony	3
RIR 403	Emerging Powers in International Relations	3
RIR 404	Theory and practice of Diplomatic Negotiations	3
Diplomacy Option/Electives
RIR 406	Management of the Diplomatic Service	3
RIR 407	East Africa in World Affairs	3
International Relations Option/Electives
RIR 405	International Economic Policy Analysis	3
RIR 408	Gender and International Relations	3
RIR 409	Comparative Foreign Policy	3
RIR 410	Globalization and Developing Countries	3
RIR 411	Selected Issues in Contemporary International Relations Seminar	3
RIR 412	Global Environmental Politics	3
Conflict Management Option/Electives
RIR 413	International Peace Support Operations	3
RIR 414	Theory and Practice of International Mediation	3
RIR 415	Post-Conflict Societies and Peace Building	3
RIR 416	Contemporary Diplomatic Law and Practice	3
	Total	21

 

 Year 4 – 2nd Semester

Course Code	Title of the Course	Credit hours
Core Units
RIR 421	Research Project	6
RIR 417	National and Regional Security	3
RIR 418	Border Diplomacy	3
Diplomacy Option/Electives
RIR 419	Foreign Policy of Kenya	3
RIR 420	Global Health  Diplomacy	3
RIR 422	International Regimes	3
International Relations Option/Electives
RIR 423	International Relations of Contemporary Middle East	3
RIR 424	Regional Integration in Africa	3
RIR 425	International Relations of Europe	3
RIR 426	International Relations of Asia – Pacific	3
RIR 427	International Relations of the Americas	3
RIR 428	Africa-China Relations	3
Conflict Management Option/Electives
RIR 429	Non State Actors and Conflict Management	3
RIR 430	Early Warning and Response to Conflict	3
RIR 431	Elections, Ethnicity and Conflicts	3
RIR 432	Conflict Systems in Africa	3
	Total	21
	TOTAL FOR YEAR IV	42

 Student to choose any three (3) units from the proposed electives commencing year three, semester one 

Unit Distribution Matrix

	Year 1		Year 2		Year 3		Year 4		Total Units	Total Credit Hours
Foundation Courses	2	2	1	1	–	–	–	–	6	18
Core I.R. Units	5	5	6	6	4	–	4	2	32	96
Electives	–	–	–	–	3	–	3	3	9	27
Research Project	–	–	–	–	–		–	2	2	6
Internship						2	–	–	2	6
Sub-total units	7	7	7	7	7	1	7	7	52	156
Sub-total hours	21	21	21	21	21	3	21	21	156