Patterson Stuff!
By 
A couple of bits of news out of the Patterson School. First, for anyone seeking a job or anyone who knows anyone seeking a job:
The Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure track appointment starting in August 2019 at the Assistant Professor level. The ideal candidate will combine a focus on international commerce with an area of functional or regional expertise, preferably in Asia. Applicants from the disciplines of political science, history, and law are particularly welcome. Professional experience working with an IO, NGO or government, would be a plus, as would be extended study, research or teaching overseas. Candidates must already possess an earned doctorate/terminal degree.
The Patterson School is a selective 18-month professional masters degree program in international affairs. Each year’s incoming student cohort is generally limited to thirty-five, all full-time and residential. Our faculty is an interdisciplinary mix of traditional academics and former foreign affairs professionals. Coursework and seminars are supplemented with a rich offering of experiential co-curricular activities. Academic concentrations are offered in: diplomacy; international security and intelligence; international commerce; and international organizations and development.
It’s a terrific place to work. More information at the link.
Second, we are in the midst of application season. To reiterate what I said last year:
The Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky is a terminal MA program specializing in foreign affairs. It has been in operation since 1959, although it changed substantially in the 1970s to focus on MA level education. The school enrolls about 35 students a year for an 18 month program, involving ten courses. Each student selects a major and a minor concentration, with the majors including Diplomacy, International Organization and Development, Security and Intelligence, and International Commerce. Patterson accompanies regular coursework with a range of co-curricular activities, including a fall conference, a Negotiation Simulation (prepared in cooperation with the Army War College), a Spring Crisis Simulation (prepared in cooperation between Patterson students and faculty), a spring break trip, and a variety of guest speakers and other events.
Most of our students have some background in international relations, whether through coursework in political science, history, economics, or language study, or through career experience in government, the military, or NGOs. The curriculum includes a required course in methodology and another required course in writing and the history of diplomatic practice, but leaves the rest of the space open for electives. While most students stay three semesters, a few decided to stay on for a fourth. Students graduate after going through a comprehensive examination process, which involves a day of writing followed by an hour-long oral defense.
If you know of any students who might be interested in a program like this, or if you yourself would be interested, please feel free to contact me or contact Patterson directly.