Prospectus

nl en

International Relations

Course
2008-2009

Objectives of the course

The course has the following objectives: making law students sensitive to the political context of international legal problems while providing them insight into the interaction of international politics and international law.

Short description of the course

The course is organized in two parts. The first part analyzes the major trends in contemporary world politics from the perspective of different theoretical models. The focus will be on the impact of globalization, the inherent tensions between the global distribution of power and the quest for world order, new security threats and asymmetric warfare (e.g. terrorism), regional integration and the position of the nation-state (obsolete or not). The second part discusses the external relations of the European Union. Can the EU be considered a full-fledged actor in world politics?

Achievement levels

The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course: Students are able to critically evaluate major theoretical contributions in the field of study, and to assess their relevance to policy-making. Additionally, presentation skills (both oral and written) will be developed.

Coördinator

Name: Prof.dr. Alfred van Staden
Work address: KOG room C 1.08
Contact information: through e-mail
Telephone number: 071 – 527 8937
E-mail: a.van.staden@law.leidenuniv.nl

Department/division

Department: Public law
Division: Public international law
Room number secretariat: B 1.21
Opening hours: semi-permanent
Telephone number secretariat: 071 – 527 7578
E-mail: e.h.uiterweerd@law.leidenuniv.nl

Onderwijsvormen

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 10

  • Names of lecturers: Prof. van Staden

  • Required preparation by students: Prior reading of book chapters

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: 10

  • Names of instructors: Prof. van Staden

  • Required preparation by students: Collecting data for oral presentations

Studiemateriaal

Obligatory course materials
Literature:

  • John Baylis & Steven Smith (eds), The Globalization of World Politics, Oxford University Press, 2005 3rd ed.

  • Christopher Hill & Michael Smith (eds), International Relations and the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2005.

Toetsing

Examination form(s)

  • Written exam (mid-term, 50 % of grade)

  • Paper (end-term, 50% of grade)

Submission procedures
To be announced.

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.

Ingangseis

Basic training in international relations or public international law.

Rooster

The time table can be found at the following website: www.law.leidenuniv.nl

Inschrijving

Secretariat Public International Law

Digitale leeromgeving

This course uses Blackboard (digital learning environment).