Description
This course serves as an advanced introduction into theories and approaches of international relations (IR). The first part of the course examines a broad range of IR theories, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, the English School, and critical approaches to IR, and debates on important concepts such as power, anarchy, norms, and institutions. In the second part, we apply theories to several substantive issues central to international politics, such as the causes of war and peace, norms and international cooperation, nuclear proliferation, and international environmental politics, among others. Assignments will provide students with the opportunity to think critically about existing approaches, apply them to explain processes and events in international politics and build on them to develop their own stance with respect to a pressing policy concern in contemporary global politics.
Course objectives
Objective 1: Students will deepen their understanding of international relations theories and approaches by examining the core debates of the field and learn how to apply these theories to contemporary global politics.
Objective 2: Students will be given the opportunity to hone their research, writing, and presentation skills.
Timetable
See the link on the right side of the first screen.
Mode of instruction
This course is a seminar; most time is spent on the discussion of the reading material.
Course Load
10 EC
Assessment method
Active participation in class, short assignments, two essays.
Assignments include response papers (30%), mid-term essay (30%) and a final essay (40%).
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used in this class.
Reading list
The readings for the first session and recommendations for book purchases will be available on Blackboard a few weeks before the start of the class. Journal articles and book chapters.
Students with limited previous training in International Relations may purchase the following book for background reading:
Dunne, Tim, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith eds. 2013. International Relations Theories, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Registration
TBA
Contact
Dr. Corinna Jentzsch