Dr. G. Šumskas: The World Politics and Economy program will let students keep pace with the world
Last 
year was very special for the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, as the new World Politics and Economy program was introduced. This program is special in the sense that graduates receive a double bachelor‘s degree – in politics and economy. One of the program‘s organizers, Dr. Gintaras Šumskas, has shed some light on some of the details of this new subject.
What ongoing processes and factors inspired the creation of this new program?
This new program was prompted from both inside and outside influences. The best inside motivators were the students themselves. Quite a few politics students wanted to take economics classes as their side subject. We made the assumption that the combination of political science and economy made students feel like they can analyze the field of the world on a broader perspective.
The outside motives are a bit harder to determine: the wish to keep up with the world, globalization and the contraction of the world could be described as possible motivations. The fast pace of the world makes us want to adapt. The coordination of political science and economy is competitive and a brand new proposition in university studies. We pay special attention to international opportunities in the World Politics and Economy program. This is because we expect to engage and expand in international studies and occupational opportunities.
What are the main goals and results of the new program, and how are they different from other social study subjects?
We emphasize the examination of political and economic processes on a global scale. We do not settle for one of the regions. During the course we pay less attention to communal politics and instead analyze country politics in the world context. International politics and economy studies will allow us to spring from current frameworks and see the world on a different, global, dimension.
Students who graduate will receive a double bachelor’s degree; how will this affect the popularity of this subject?
A program of this nature will be different from the others offered in Lithuania, as it allows international students to also take classes. Graduates will indeed receive a double degree – in political science and economy. Students will have the opportunity to commit an eight week long internship in either a Lithuanian or any other international organization or institution.
What career opportunities can the graduates expect to have?
A double degree with concrete qualifications will potentially present more career options in the job market. Graduates will carry a much bigger analytic knowledge, which will let them adapt and quickly develop in any professional environment.
Europe on the Brink: Addressing the Refugee Crisis
On Tuesday 15 March, 6 p.m., at VMU Small Hall (28 S. Daukanto g.) United Nations Student Club and Kaunas International Medical Student’s Union are organizing a discussion entitled Europe on the Brink: Addressing the Refugee Crisis.
The discussion will focus on the future of both the EU as a supranational organization and the refugees who are fleeing wartorn countries. The number of refugees entering Europe is increasing daily, which is creating tension and conflict among EU members while decisions about policies of integration are coming up against policies of refoulement.
Before the discussion, the organizers will present brief, informative case studies of 6 countries who are very much entrenched in the refugee crisis. In these case studies the participants will analyze asylum policies in place, the number of refugees entering the country, the opinions of local residents towards the refugees, and any violence perpetrated against the refugees or by the refugees. They will also discuss how the refugee crisis is challenging/changing political borders (Schengen) and how immigration is causing difficulties within European society (cultural clashes, existing violence, the rise of far right movements, etc.). Furthermore, the way the media portrays the crisis will be examined, as well as how that perpetrates a certain image of the refugees.
The following countries will be presented and discussed: Greece, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Lithuania.
The discussion will be held in English.
