This seminar is earmarked for NECD, IP, DR
Description
This course examines the conflictual relationship between international organizations (IOs) and their member states. We will begin by covering theoretical debates about multilateralism in International Relations theory, and the role of IOs as agents of member states as opposed to independent actors with an agenda of their own. We will then discuss the most recent contestation of IO authority by member states, illustrated for example through Brexit, the withdrawal of states from the International Criminal Court and the Trump government’s “America First” strategy. We will further draw some comparisons to historical periods of contestation and examine IOs’ responses to member state contestation. Finally, the last part of the course engages in an empirical analysis in which we will study current and past forms of contestation with regard to a variety of selected IOs.
Course objectives
This course is a bi-weekly seminar which focuses on student-based learning techniques. Students are therefore expected to prepare for, guide and contribute to extensive in-class discussions. Students will gain insights into important challenges for the current international system. Besides acquiring in-depth theoretical and empirical knowledge about the topics of multilateralism and the role of IOs in International Relations, students will learn how to critically engage with academic texts. Moreover, this seminar will help students developing their research skills in the preparation of their final thesis, as they are expected to undertake some smaller research activities on the topics of the seminar.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Presentation (25%)
Participation and group-work (30%)
Written assignment (45%). The written final assignment will only be graded if the student has attended the course sessions.
The overall mark for the course is a cumulative grade established by determining the weighted average. If the final grade is insufficient, a retake option for the whole course will be provided in the form of an oral exam.
Reading list
Students are expected to be familiar with the following readings before the start of the course:
Abbott, Kenneth W. and Duncan Snidal (1998). Why States Act through Formal International Organizations. Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 3-32.
Simmons, Beth A. and Lisa L. Martin (2002). International organizations and institutions. Handbook of International Relations. Walter Carlsnaes, Thomas Risse and Beth A. Simmons, Eds., London, Sage: 192-211.
The course reading list and the course syllabus will be posted on Brightspace before the start of the course.
Registration
See 'Practical Information'
Timetable
See 'MyTimetable
Contact
Dr. Gisela Hirschmann
g.k.hirschmann@leidenuniv.