Description
This seminar explores various ways to understand and explain international organization – in other words, “what makes the world hang together” (Ruggie 1998) despite the absence of a world government. This includes various understandings of why and how states and other transnational actors develop rules and organizations to govern world politics, how and when these rules and organizations shape the behaviour of state and non-state actors and thus the management of global challenges, and how patterns of international organization interact with power transitions and other forms of global change. Its aim is to prepare students to write an MSc thesis related to international organization.
Course objectives
This seminar has two principal objectives: (1) to deepen students’ understanding of the dynamics of international organization in contemporary world politics, including the sources, evolution, effectiveness, and legitimacy of international rules and organizations; and (2) to help students prepare a robust, MSc-level research design on a topic of their choice related to international organization.
Mode of instruction
The course involves seminar discussions of assigned readings, plus individual presentations and written assignments focused on preparation of a thesis research design related to international organization. All are required.
Assessment method
Final grades will be based on seminar participation (20%) plus several individual presentations and written assignments (80% in total). Details will be available before the start of the course.
Reading list
Readings will be journal articles and book chapters available electronically via the university library, plus some websites.
Registration
See 'Practical Information'
Timetable
See 'MyTimetable'
Contact
Prof. Daniel Thomas: d.c.thomas@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. Office hours will be announced.