The graduate program in Democracy and e-Governance concentrates on the design, formation, and operation of democratic institutions. In the best traditions of democracy studies, students are encouraged to scrutinize which sets of institutions tend to be fit and functional in a particular society, how the schools of thought evolved over time, and how the prominent theories can be applied to specific examples of institutional design.

The classical political science training is then placed in the modern context of digital transformation and the realms related to big data analytics, artificial intelligence, robots, cybersecurity, and related ethical dilemmas. The fundamentals of governance are bridged with the essential political and technological developments of the modern era.

Rigorous training in the core subjects of political science – democratic theory, political institutions, elections, behavior, and ethics – is blended with the skills training, critical thinking, research tools, data analytics, programming, and the understanding of emerging digital society.

Through elective courses, the students are provided an additional opportunity to specialize in the field of elections. The elections related modules delve into electoral processes and electoral administration, covering the fundamentals of electoral frameworks, actors and operations involved, as well as the matters of boundary delimitation, campaigning, financing, and integrity.

The program places a heavy emphasis on the development of hard and soft skills and competences essential for successful service in public policy, governance, elections, business and international relations. The skills-based learning is about readying our students for the demands of the job market, also enabling them a more seamless transfer across industries. The goal is to help our graduates be high-functioning professionals and achievers able to cope with the fast-paced technological advancement and a competitive market pressure. A skills-based training is built into the general program structure, not limited to the long list of dedicated courses available to students.

Through the effects of collaborative project-based and blended learning, the program encourages lively discussion, debate and analysis on current trends and challenges to democracy. Towards the end of the program, the students can choose to further enhance their e-governance credentials or to specialize in elections.

The MA in Democracy and e-Governance is an interdisciplinary program whose aim is to cover the topic of democracy from a wide perspective, while maintaining a sharp focus on the contemporary challenges and opportunities. The program seeks to teach the foundations of democratic and responsive government and how visionary policymakers, or entrepreneurs can create and implement policies and ideas to achieve ambitious yet ethical objectives.

The program also serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences among scholars and practitioners of democracy, e-Governance, and elections from around the world. The program is intended for those with undergraduate degrees possibly with positions in the public, governmental and non-governmental sectors. The graduates will be awarded a Master’s Degree is Politics.

The MA in Democracy and e-Governance allows students to be part of a strong alumni that provide lifelong learning through workshops, seminars and conventions after their graduation. The program provides executive and professional education opportunities, and advances research in the areas of e-governance and democratic change (elections) through the dedicated research institute.

The graduates are very much expected to understand and engage with big questions of today: How is the digital transformation changing the society? What are the shortfalls of a liberal democracy? How can big data be useful and managed safely? Where should the personal freedoms and government intervention meet? How will the artificial intelligence and robots change the future? Given the fundamental shifts in technology, how can we preserve the integrity of our institutions and of democratic governance?

• Democracy, Governance, and Institutions
• E-Governance
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
• Academic and Policy Writing
• Critical Thinking, Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving
• Argumentation and Public Speaking
• Thesis/Project

• Political Theory and Ethics
• Democracy’s Life and Death – Modern Challenges
• Big Data
• Basics of Innovation
• Artificial Intelligence and Robots
• Strategic and Project Management
• Leadership
• Political Ideologies
• Political Culture
• Comparative Politics
• Creative Thinking
• Programming I
• Programming II
• Advanced Research Methods
• Internet of Things and Digital Transformation
• Startups and Regulation
• Global Political Economy
• Political Thought and Actions
• Institutions of Governance and Representation
• Opportunity Management
• E-services Design and Innovation
• Security and Privacy in the Digital Age
• Art of Negotiations

• Elections, Voting and Governance
• Electoral Management Bodies and Processes
• Electoral Systems and Representation
• Political Parties and Campaigns
• Election Operations
• Integrity of Elections in the Modern Age
• Media and Elections
• Electoral Observation and Scrutiny
• Game Theory
• Main Theories of Elections
• Big Data Management for Elections