Admission requirements
This course is open to all students enrolled in the International Organization specialization of the MSc Political Science.
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, how they are contested, and how patterns of international organization interact with power transitions and other forms of global change.
Course objectives
This seminar’s principal objective is to deepen students’ understanding of the dynamics of international organization in contemporary world politics, including the sources, evolution, effectiveness, legitimacy and contestation of international rules and organizations in a changing world order.
Mode of instruction
The course involves short lectures, seminar discussions of assigned readings, and occasional exercises focused on research design.
Assessment method
Final grades will be based on seminar participation (10%) plus two essay exams on assigned readings and seminar discussions (45% each). There will not be any re-sit exams.
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.