INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

A staple of the Global Studies and EU Studies curricula, the course participates in the make-up of the political science component within the Master's Degree Programme in Comparative International Relations while advancing its interdisciplinary goals

The course aims to develop students’ comprehension of the international dimension of politics from a theoretical and practical perspective. International politics' processes, actors, representations and historical developments will be approached starting from the critical observation of several prominent phenomena - e.g. war and peace, the globalization of the economy, and global governance. Through appropriately guided class discussions and with the support of the reading materials, students will infer, with a certain degree of autonomy, concepts, theoretical premises and arguments that scholars, observers and practitioners rely on including the main paradigms and debates in IR and related disciplinary fields.

By the end of this course, students are expected to develop a solid understanding of key concepts and analytical tools essential for navigating the complexities of international politics and global governance. Through active participation students will learn to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, enhancing their analytical and synthesis skills. Additionally, the course will cultivate critical thinking, enabling students to assess international political phenomena and their impact from different perspectives and enrich their own. Students will also learn to evaluate different sources critically, from academic to policy-oriented and journalistic. Effective communication is a key outcome, with students improving their ability to articulate their understanding and clearly and effectively communicate the knowledge they have gained for different purposes.

Admission criteria are those required by the study program LM60.

The primary objective of this course is to provide students with the theoretical frameworks and analytical skills necessary to comprehend the key dynamics and diverse perspectives in international politics. The course aims to equip students with essential tools for analyzing global affairs, focusing on major actors, various approaches, and contemporary controversial issues. In addition to exploring the most significant debates and concepts within the main theories of International Relations—such as realism, liberalism, critical theories, and constructivism—we will examine the practical application of these theoretical insights to real-world scenarios. This course will also delve into how the knowledge gained can be applied in various professional fields, including diplomacy, international cooperation, security, and research within think tanks. A more detailed schedule of the course will be uploaded to Moodle.

Jackson, R., Sørensen, G., & Møller, J. (2019). Introduction to international relations: theories and approaches. Oxford University Press, USA.

Further reading materials (e.g. selected articles and book chapters) will be provided via Moodle.

The final exam will evaluate both the breadth of your knowledge and your ability to articulate well-reasoned arguments on the subject matter. It will consist of two components:

1) Multiple-Choice Test (40% of the final grade): This part of the exam will assess your understanding of key concepts and theories in international politics.

2) Essay (60% of the final grade): A written essay in response to one of three open-ended questions provided. The essay must be handwritten and should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of relevant theories, practical applications (including concrete examples from current global politics), and your personal perspective on the issue.

Students who require special accommodations for their assessments are encouraged to contact me as soon as possible, and no later than the end of the course, to discuss their needs.

This course is designed to encourage active student participation through a combination of teaching techniques. It will include traditional lectures delivered by the professor, alongside practice-oriented seminars that focus on applying theoretical knowledge to different professional fields. Teaching methods will combine lectures, case studies, and interactive seminars to provide a comprehensive learning experience.

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Students who wish to write their final dissertation under my supervision are encouraged to express their interest by contacting me before the end of the course. The selection criteria for thesis supervision will consider the following factors: demonstrated interest in the subject matter, the level of knowledge shown in the final assignment, and the proposed thesis topic.

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development